The entrepreneurial ecosystem of Pakistan celebrated a monumental achievement as 160 startups graduated from the XSEED Incubation Program, an initiative led by LMKT in collaboration with researchers from the INSEAD Business School. This milestone caps off a rigorous year-long journey that began with 336 startups across the country, of which 160 successfully completed the three-month intensive training program.

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The Graduation Day event, hosted in Islamabad, brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovative founders to honor the remarkable strides made by the graduating cohort. The startups, incubated at centers such as NIC Karachi and NIC Hyderabad, demonstrated resilience, creativity, and a drive to transform Pakistan’s economic landscape.

The program, designed by INSEAD’s renowned faculty, emphasized structured decision-making, customer-centric strategies, and innovation. The curriculum aimed to help startups overcome market challenges and build sustainable ventures. A standout feature was the program’s inclusivity, with 54 women-led startups (25% of the cohort) making significant strides in diverse sectors, including education (15%), e-commerce (14.7%), and healthcare (10.6%).

Dr Chiara Spina, Assistant Professor at INSEAD and founder of the XSEED Program, expressed pride in the transformation achieved by the startups: “These entrepreneurs have showcased remarkable discipline in utilizing customer feedback and data to refine their strategies. Their growth is not just inspiring but also foundational to addressing critical societal challenges and creating substantial economic value.”

As Pakistan’s largest incubator operator, LMKT played a pivotal role in shaping the program. Asim Ishaq Khan, Vice President at LMKT, reflected on the program’s success: “Through XSEED, we have empowered startups to innovate, collaborate, and thrive. This event celebrates the achievements so far and lays the groundwork for future successes.”

The Graduation Day also acknowledged the contributions of eight expert coaches, INSEAD professors, and mentors who provided hands-on guidance throughout the program. The event featured distinguished guests from Yunus Brothers Group, Orbit Startups, Katalyst Labs, and government bodies, underscoring the collaborative efforts that made XSEED a resounding success.

This graduation marks a new chapter for the startups, as they step forward to reshape industries, tackle pressing societal challenges, and contribute to Pakistan’s economic transformation.

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