The IAM Karachi Innovation Challenge produced a powerful wave of change over the three day hackathon weekend as hundreds of inspired innovators descended over Habib University to create innovative solutions in 5 key areas – education, health, law and security, transportation and environment, and arts, culture, and sports. Organized by Pakistan Innovation Foundation and the I AM Karachi Consortium and sponsored by Karachi Youth Initiative, the event sought to empower and energise citizens to innovate for a peaceful and tolerant Karachi.
I AM Karachi Consortium President Jameel Yusuf said, “There is a dearth of spaces and opportunities for the people of Karachi, particularly the youth, where they can come together to solve some of the most pressing issues of Karachi innovatively. This activity fits perfectly with I Am Karachi’s objective of reclaiming public spaces and bringing people together under one platform. Our aim is to ultimately create a peaceful and vibrant city which can only be made possible through activities like these”.
Of the 396 teams and 958 individuals that registered, 130 teams and 40 individuals made it to the first round on Friday. These teams underwent rigorous training, mentoring, workshops, and successive rounds of jury to arrive at 31 Semi-Finalist teams competing for the PKR 700,000+ in merchandise and support. Plus, an opportunity to be incubated at The.Nest I/O and support worth millions more from the theme partner organizations include Toyota Pakistan, Alif Ailaan, Interactive Research and Development (IRD), Code for Pakistan, and the Arts Council. These partners will sponsor and work with upto 10 winners of the competition to help transform their idea into real impact of Karachi.
Athar Osama, Founder and CEO of Pakistan Innovation Foundation and a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum said, “Citizen Innovation is critical to the development and progress of Nations, Countries, and Cities. Pakistan, as a country, and Karachi, as a City, is in dire need for innovation to solve the myriad of problem it finds itself in today. Pakistan Innovation Foundation has taken up the challenge to create an opportunity to transform Karachi through Innovation”.
Karachi, known as the Paris of the East, the economic hub of the country and the City of Lights, has suffered at the hands of extremism and terrorism and requires a new lease of life to become vibrant again.
About Pakistan Innovation Foundation
Pakistan Innovation Foundation (PIF) is an apolitical and non-partisan private-sector driven entity charged with developing and executing an analytically rigorous, evidence-based, and deeply passionate agenda to promote science, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the Pakistani society.
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