By: Mahnoor Abdul Basit
The rise of young entrepreneurs in Pakistan highlights the importance of cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset early in life. The LCE Summer Programme serves as a powerful example, equipping young students with the skills necessary to excel in an ever-changing world. Through hands-on projects and real-world problem-solving, young entrepreneurs in Pakistan are learning to think critically, embrace challenges, and foster resilience—traits essential for navigating both business and life.
The Importance of Early Entrepreneurial Education
Cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset in children from a young age sets the stage for lifelong success. Faiza Badar, Founder of Junior Founder– a dynamic and forward-thinking educational programme dedicated to empowering young minds, highlights the importance of early exposure:
“Cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset in children is crucial because it fosters creativity, problem-solving, and resilience. These skills are essential for navigating the challenges of the future and can be applied in various aspects of life, not just in business.”
Another experienced instructor Hamid Ali emphasises the long-term benefits of early entrepreneurial education. Hamid is the founder of Ma’maar.AI, a hub for makers and tech enthusiasts, simplifying complex processes and rapid prototyping through AI. They provide top-notch tools, infrastructure, and 3D printing services, supporting both B2B and B2C markets to bring innovative ideas to life. He explains,
“An entrepreneurial mindset lays the foundation for lifelong curiosity, resilience, and creativity. Early exposure to entrepreneurial thinking helps children develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, allowing them to approach challenges with confidence and innovation.”
These skills are not just valuable in business but are applicable in any career path, equipping children to thrive in an unpredictable world.
Shuja ul Hassan, instructor and founder of The STEM Educators equips children with essential 21st-century skills through hands-on courses like Junior Robotics, Game Development, Python Programming, and Junior Programming. These programmes inspire creativity and intrinsic motivation, empowering kids to tackle STEM challenges and bring their ideas to life. Shuja underscores the societal importance of having an entrepreneurial and creative mindset.
“With the advent of technology and the whole world facing an economic crisis in one form or another, all humans must understand how value is created and distributed. And those are some of the core traits of an entrepreneur.”
By understanding these concepts early on, children are better equipped to navigate the complexities of modern life and contribute meaningfully to society.
Turning Learning into Action: Real-World Impact of Our Programme
The LCE Summer Programme goes beyond theoretical learning, immersing these young entrepreneurs in practical experiences that bridge classroom lessons with real-world applications. Students don’t just learn about entrepreneurship—they experience it. The skills they acquire are immediately put to use in projects that not only challenge them creatively but also provide tangible results.
Faiza shares an inspiring example: “Students came up with their own start-up ideas and created brands and logos for them. This project allowed them to apply their creativity and entrepreneurial skills, from brainstorming and market research to brand development and presentation.” This hands-on approach helps students see their ideas come to life, building both their confidence and their practical skills.
Hamid recounts another remarkable student achievement: “One student leveraged the skills learned during the course to enhance her start-up focused on mental health by repurposing an open-source robot into one that can display different emotions.” This project is a testament to how experiential earning equips students to apply their knowledge creatively, solving real-world problems in innovative ways.
Shuja highlights the personal connection that students often bring to their projects. He tells the story of a student who “chose to create a maze game with certain items to acquire from different parts of the maze. These included a cake, a balloon, and a birthday gift. When asked about the reason for choosing these items in particular, he mentioned that he recently attended a friend’s birthday party and decided to turn this experience into a game.” This project not only showcased creativity but also demonstrated how students can translate personal experiences into innovative ideas which encourages a problem-solving mindset and builds skills vital for socio-personal and professional development.
As technical skills become more and more easy to learn, due to a variety of online resources, it’s the soft skills that will set individuals apart—confidence, interpersonal communication and creative-thinking will become increasingly important as students enter the labour market or become self-employed entrepreneurs.
Empowering Young Entrepreneurs in Pakistan Through Parental Feedback
The impact of courses that encourage interactive problem-solving such as LCE’s Summer Programme is perhaps best reflected in the feedback we receive from parents. They consistently report significant positive changes in their children—enhanced creativity, increased confidence, and a newfound enthusiasm for learning.
Faiza notes,“Parents have shared that their children are more confident, creative, and proactive. They’ve noticed improvements in their problem-solving abilities and a greater enthusiasm for learning and taking on new challenges.” This feedback confirms the value of our programme in nurturing well-rounded, resilient individuals.
Hamid shares similar observations, especially during our demo day, where parents get to see their children’s work firsthand. “Parents were thrilled to see their children’s confidence and enthusiasm as they showcased their projects. They appreciated the hands-on, real-world experiences provided by the course.” This practical approach not only engages students but also reassures parents that their children are gaining valuable, applicable skills.
Shuja highlights another aspect of our programme’s impact: sustained student interest beyond the classroom. “We often hear positive feedback about the kids taking great interest in working on their projects even outside of the classroom.” This continued engagement demonstrates the lasting impact of our stem-based courses encouraging students to keep learning and exploring on their own.
Conclusion: Preparing Tomorrow’s Innovators Today
The success of programmes that cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset in young students is evident. By fostering creativity, problem-solving, and resilience, students are being prepared . Whether students go on to start their businesses, excel in their academic pursuits, or contribute to their communities in other ways; the skills and mindset they develop through courses such as LCE’s Summer Programme will serve them throughout their lives.
