In a powerful push toward sustainable entrepreneurship, Accelerate Prosperity, an initiative of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), has partnered with the NUST Professional Development Centre (PDC) to successfully conclude the Certification in Sustainable Innovation (CSI) 2025 — a first-of-its-kind national program focused on supporting Pakistan’s rising climate-conscious startups.
Accredited by Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, the program provides certified training and incubation support for early-stage and post-revenue ventures creating green or greening solutions. Funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Germany through KfW Development Bank, CSI 2025 tackled key challenges faced by climate startups, including limited funding, technical gaps, and market inaccessibility.
Over three months, 20 high-potential startups from across the country participated in a hybrid journey that included virtual learning, in-person expert sessions, customized advisory, and hands-on product testing through NUST’s advanced facilities. These entrepreneurs received intensive business development support, including investor readiness, financial modeling, and market insight — all aimed at scaling impact-led solutions for Pakistan’s green transition.
The program concluded with a vibrant closing ceremony at NUST’s National Science and Technology Park (NSTP), featuring pitches from the top startups, keynote speeches, and participation from investors, mentors, and climate leaders. Notably, The Natural Fiber Company was recognized for its circular economy approach to sustainable material development.
Rohma Labeeb, Country Director of Accelerate Prosperity Pakistan, highlighted how initiatives like CSI enable Pakistani entrepreneurs to build climate-resilient ventures that also serve the nation’s sustainable development goals.
Mr. Muhammad Ali Khan, General Manager at NUST, praised the diversity and innovation in the startup cohort, noting how such collaborations are essential for climate-smart growth.
In his keynote, Mr. Muhammad Arif Goher, Executive Director of the Global Climate-Change Impact Studies Centre, Ministry of Climate Change, applauded the program’s leadership and reaffirmed the Ministry’s support for innovation-driven climate resilience.
Startups that demonstrated strong business viability and environmental impact are now being considered for subsidized debt financing of up to USD 200,000 through Accelerate Prosperity — a transformative opportunity to scale their ventures while solving real-world climate challenges.
With this initiative, Accelerate Prosperity and NUST reaffirm their commitment to fostering a green entrepreneurial ecosystem in Pakistan — where sustainability meets innovation, and startups lead the charge toward a climate-secure future.
