Karachi, Pakistan, November 22, 2024 – In a celebration of youthful ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit, Shell Pakistan, now under the ownership of Wafi Energy, recently hosted the grand finale of the 11th Tameer Awards. This event, which recognizes the brightest young minds across Pakistan, honored the country’s most innovative entrepreneurs in a prestigious ceremony.
This year’s Tameer Awards attracted over 400 applications, a testament to the growing enthusiasm for innovation in Pakistan’s entrepreneurial landscape. The 30 finalists were selected from six categories, showcasing a diverse range of businesses making an impact in key sectors. These included clean energy, circular economy, technology, and women empowerment.
The event saw a distinguished jury, composed of business leaders, industry professionals, and academic experts, evaluating the finalists based on their creativity, impact, and business potential. The rigorous selection process ensured that only the most promising ventures received recognition.
Waqar Siddiqui, the CEO and Managing Director of Shell Pakistan, expressed his admiration for the young entrepreneurs, saying, “Each year, we are inspired by the exceptional talent and creativity displayed by these young innovators. It is an honor for Shell Pakistan to support their journeys. We are confident that these talented individuals will drive positive change, fostering innovation and progress for a brighter future.”
The winners of the 11th Tameer Awards were as follows:
- Circular Economy: The Natural Fiber Company by Mohammad Faraz Khokhar, a startup revolutionizing sustainability by transforming banana stem waste into eco-friendly products such as ropes, fabric, and bags.
- Clean Energy Solutions: Green City by Zain Ali Siddiqui, a cutting-edge AI-driven system that optimizes the use of renewable energy through smart energy management and data analytics.
- Empowering Women: DiabEazy by Mahnoor Rizwan, an AI-powered platform offering personalized diabetes management solutions, telemedicine, educational resources, and community support to help reduce healthcare costs.
- Technology Innovation: Fortify by Sidra Shakeel, a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) ERP solution tailored for real estate businesses, automating operations such as rent collection, CRM, and financial management to improve decision-making.
- Transportation and Mobility: Naya Raasta by Fahd Ahmed Farid, an innovative approach to building “green roads” using titanium dioxide to reflect sunlight, which reduces urban heat, improves road durability, and lowers maintenance costs.
- Bright Ideas: EcoFoil – Seal the Flavour by Maryam Butt, a sustainable, chemical-free alternative to plastic wraps and foils, helping to reduce waste and pollution.
In addition to the winners, several runners-up also received recognition for their promising ventures, including Royella Foods for Circular Economy, Voltshare Technology for Clean Energy Solutions, Zarai Baramdaat for Empowering Women, LibXR for Technology Innovation, EV Square for Transportation and Mobility, and EF-3F (Environment Friendly Fuel, Feed, Fertilizer) for Bright Ideas.
Since its inception, the Tameer Awards have been instrumental in fostering entrepreneurship and contributing to Pakistan’s economic growth. The initiative has engaged over a million young people across the country, encouraging them to pursue entrepreneurial ventures. Tameer has also provided support for international expansion, with 10 entrepreneurs winning Trade Grants worth PKR 3.8 million, enabling them to explore global markets. Furthermore, nine Tameer awardees have been honored with the global Shell ‘Top Ten Innovators Awards’, receiving both national and international acclaim.
By supporting local innovation and providing these entrepreneurs with the platform and resources to succeed, Shell Pakistan continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of the country’s entrepreneurial landscape. With its continued commitment to driving economic progress and nurturing young talent, the Tameer Awards have become a cornerstone for cultivating innovation in Pakistan.
