The Young CEOs, Entrepreneurs & Innovators Summit, Expo & Awards 2026 (YES 2026) is set to bring together young entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, industry leaders and academia in Islamabad from October 13 to 15, 2026.
Being held under the theme “Leadership, Innovation & Entrepreneurship for a Sustainable Future,” the three-day event is being organized in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Task Force on Business Incubation Centres (BICs), Bahria University and other leading organizations and stakeholders working to advance entrepreneurship, innovation, youth empowerment and academia-industry linkages.
YES 2026 is designed to provide a national platform for young CEOs, entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, investors, policymakers and representatives of universities, Business Incubation Centres (BICs) and Offices of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORICs) to exchange ideas, explore partnerships and promote new ventures.
The summit will focus on strengthening Pakistan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by encouraging innovation, research commercialization, industry-academia collaboration and youth-led enterprises. It will also highlight emerging opportunities in technology and digital business.
The programme will feature a National Young CEOs Summit, keynote addresses, CEO conversations, panel discussions and policy dialogues addressing key issues related to entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable economic development.
An Innovation & Startup Expo will provide a platform for universities, startups, student ventures, BICs, ORICs and industry stakeholders to showcase innovative products, research initiatives, commercialization projects and business solutions.
A Bahria University Startup Pitch Competition will further provide promising startups and student entrepreneurs with an opportunity to present their business ideas and compete for recognition while engaging with potential investors and industry stakeholders.
The event will also feature practical entrepreneurial workshops covering areas such as AI for business, sales and negotiation, financial management, investment readiness, future skills and intellectual property. Sessions on artificial intelligence, digital business, women entrepreneurship and emerging business opportunities will also form part of the programme.
The YES 2026 Recognition & Excellence Awards will recognize outstanding achievements of young CEOs, entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, students and alumni for their contributions to entrepreneurship, innovation and economic development.
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), BICs and ORICs have been encouraged to facilitate the participation of relevant stakeholders in the event. The deadline for HEIs to participate in YES 2026 is September 20, 2026.
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With its focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, technology and youth leadership, YES 2026 is expected to create new opportunities for collaboration between universities, startups, investors, industry and policymakers while strengthening the role of young people in Pakistan’s future economy.
