Karachi: Ibtisam Babar, Head of Zindigi Prize, has been awarded the “Future Leader of the Year” title at the 27th edition of ITCN Asia, in recognition of his role in strengthening Pakistan’s startup ecosystem and empowering young entrepreneurs nationwide.
The award was presented at ITCN Asia, Pakistan’s premier three-day technology exhibition organised by Ecommerce Gateway Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd., which brings together the country’s technology firms, startups, investors and policymakers to promote innovation and collaboration.
Speaking after receiving the honour, Babar said the recognition reflected collective effort rather than individual achievement. “Innovation is a team sport. Every student, founder and mentor associated with Zindigi Prize is helping build a generation of problem-solvers capable of redefining entrepreneurship in Pakistan and beyond,” he said.
The award acknowledges Babar’s leadership in driving the vision of Zindigi Prize, a purpose-led entrepreneurial platform focused on enabling young innovators and supporting startups that combine commercial success with social impact. The initiative has engaged more than 5,000 startups across over 180 universities, positioning itself as Pakistan’s first homegrown international startup community and the country’s largest social entrepreneurial network.
Babar was previously honoured with the “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” award at the Pakistan Digital Awards, further cementing his standing in the country’s innovation landscape.
Industry observers say recognitions such as those presented at ITCN Asia underline the growing importance of leadership, innovation and youth-driven entrepreneurship in shaping Pakistan’s digital and economic future.
