Ibtisam Babar, Head of Zindigi Prize, has been awarded the “Future Leader of the Year” accolade at the 27th edition of ITCN Asia, in recognition of his instrumental role in advancing Pakistan’s startup ecosystem and empowering young entrepreneurs nationwide. The award highlights his leadership in fostering innovation and nurturing the next generation of founders who are poised to make a global impact.
Organized by Ecommerce Gateway Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd., ITCN Asia is a premier three-day technology exhibition that brings together stakeholders from across Pakistan’s technology and startup landscape. The event provides a platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and showcasing emerging innovations shaping the future of business and entrepreneurship in the country.
Commenting on the achievement, Ibtisam Babar said, “Receiving this award at ITCN Asia is a reminder that innovation is a team sport. Every student, founder, and mentor who contributes to the Zindigi Prize is helping shape a generation of problem-solvers who can redefine entrepreneurship in Pakistan and beyond.” His statement underlines the collaborative nature of Zindigi Prize and its impact on fostering entrepreneurial talent.
The award recognizes Babar’s leadership in driving the vision of Zindigi Prize, a purpose-driven platform designed to enable young innovators and support startups that deliver both commercial and social value. Since its inception, Zindigi Prize has engaged over 5,000 startups from more than 180 universities across Pakistan, establishing itself as the country’s first homegrown international startup community. Today, it stands as the largest social entrepreneurial network in Pakistan, creating meaningful opportunities for emerging founders.
Babar’s achievements in the entrepreneurial space have been previously acknowledged when he received the “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” award at the Pakistan Digital Awards, reinforcing his position as a leading figure in Pakistan’s innovation ecosystem.
The recognition at ITCN Asia not only celebrates individual leadership but also underscores the growing importance of supporting youth-driven startups. Awards like these highlight the value of innovation, entrepreneurship, and impact-driven ventures, emphasizing the role of purpose-driven platforms such as Zindigi Prize in shaping Pakistan’s economic and social future.
With the continued growth of technology-enabled startups and social entrepreneurship, leaders like Ibtisam Babar are driving transformative change, inspiring a generation of innovators to leverage creativity, collaboration, and purpose to solve real-world challenges and contribute to Pakistan’s evolving digital economy.
This accolade serves as both recognition and motivation for the broader startup community, spotlighting the significance of nurturing talent, providing resources, and empowering young entrepreneurs to build scalable ventures with sustainable social impact.
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