The LUMS Centre for Entrepreneurship (LCE) has recently launched its inaugural cohorts for two flagship programmes: the LCE Idea Launch Incubation Programme and the Slingshot Accelerator Programme. This is a significant step towards the Centre becoming a premier incubator and accelerator in Pakistan and reaffirms its commitment to building a thriving entrepreneurial landscape by supporting both early-stage and revenue-generating Pakistani start-ups.

The LCE Idea Launch Incubation Programme offers vital support to entrepreneurs who are just beginning their entrepreneurial journey. This incubator programme provides essential resources such as co-working space, access to the Makers Lab for prototyping, training modules, and valuable networking opportunities with experienced entrepreneurs and industry leaders.

For revenue-generating start-ups ready to scale, the Slingshot Accelerator Programme offers a comprehensive set of resources including strategic mentorship, investor connections, hands-on workshops, and tailored guidance. This programme enables the start-ups to focus on revenue growth, expansion, and investment readiness, solidifying LCE’s role as a premier accelerator in Pakistan.

A key highlight for participants in both the Idea Launch and Slingshot programmes is the Investor Summit, where they will pitch to a panel of investors, founders, and venture capitalists. This event offers an invaluable platform for Pakistani start-ups to secure funding, build partnerships, and gain insights for accelerated growth.

With 25 start-ups in the Idea Launch Incubation Programme and 10 start-ups in the Slingshot Accelerator, the inaugural cohorts represent a diverse range of industries, from education tech and AI to sustainability and finance. These start-ups are set to address some of Pakistan’s most pressing challenges, driving impactful change across the country.

LCE’s robust involvement with the LUMS community has been instrumental to the success of its programmes. Faculty, students, and alumni have contributed significantly, whether as participants, mentors, or guest speakers, bridging academic insights with real-world entrepreneurial initiatives. LCE plans to continue its support through events, demo days, and workshops designed to help a diverse range of start-ups to grow their ventures.

By empowering Pakistani start-ups through its incubation and acceleration initiatives, LCE reinforces its mission of fostering an innovative, resilient, and inclusive ecosystem for entrepreneurs in Pakistan.