ISLAMABAD, SEPT 11 (DNA) – The U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Pakistan is pleased to partner, for a fourth year, with The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) on the 2017 edition of the Pakistan StartUp Cup competition for entrepreneurs.  Pakistanis with amazing business ideas are encouraged to apply.The deadline for submitting applications is September 20, 2017.

Participating startups receive extensive mentoring and are judged on the basis of their progress during the competition.  Mentoring and judging sessions will occur in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and Peshawar. Applications can be submitted online at http://pakistan.startupcup.com/submit-your-idea-2/.

“I especially encourage women to apply.  Some great business ideas are being pursued by women, and we expect that half of the startups will be women-led like last year,” said TiE Islamabad Executive Director Murtaza Zaidi.  “In 2016, we saw impressive women-led teams take their business ideas from a dream to a revenue-generating reality throughout the course of Pakistan StartUp Cup.”

“The U.S. Mission in Pakistan offers a range of programs to support Pakistani entrepreneurs as they pursue their business dreams,” said American Embassy Cultural Affairs Officer Arlissa Reynolds.  “Pakistan StartUp Cup is one of our most exciting opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to test and refine their business models.”

The Pakistan StartUp Cup Challenge is a business model competition open to any type of business.  The competition is an inclusive, grassroots-driven entrepreneurship empowerment program proven to grow businesses, entrepreneurs and the ecosystems that support entrepreneurs.  Since 2013, more than 2,400 Pakistanis have participated.  For more information, visit http://pakistan.startupcup.com/.  Inquiries about Pakistan StartUp Cup should be directed to [email protected].