Lahore, 1st November 2024: The LUMS Centre for Entrepreneurship (LCE) has successfully inducted its inaugural cohorts for two signature programmed: the LCE Idea Launch Incubation programmed and the Slingshot Accelerator programmed. Both programmed underscore LCE’s commitment to fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Pakistan, catering to start-ups at different stages of growth.
The LCE Idea Launch Incubation programmed dis designed to support early-stage start-up founders at the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey. It provides essential resources including a co-working space, access to the Makers Lab for prototyping, and training modules that equip participants with skills to build and scale their businesses. Additionally, start-ups benefit from networking opportunities with seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts, alongside guest sessions that enhance entrepreneurial knowledge.
On the other hand, the Slingshot Accelerator programmed targets revenue-generating start-ups that are ready to scale. This acceleration initiative offers strategic mentorship from industry leaders, access to tailored resources, hands-on workshops, and opportunities to connect with investors. Start-ups in this programmed gain practical insights into driving revenue growth and preparing for investment success.
Start-ups inducted into both programmed will have the unique opportunity to pitch their ventures to a panel of investors, successful founders, and venture capitalists at the Investor Summit held at the conclusion of their training. This summit will offer participants a valuable platform to secure potential funding, forge strategic partnerships, and gain insights that can accelerate their growth.
The inaugural cohorts comprise 25 start-ups in the LCE Idea Launch Incubation programmed and 10 start-ups in the Slingshot Accelerator programmed, all selected from a competitive pool of applicants across Pakistan. Representing a diverse range of industries, these start-ups are tackling challenges ranging from educational technology and artificial intelligence to sustainability and financial services. Through the LCE Idea Launch and Slingshot Accelerator programmed, these innovators will address critical problems to drive change and create impact in their respective fields.
A core element of LCE’s success with its entrepreneurial programmed has been its deep engagement with the LUMS community. Students, alumni, and faculty members have been directly involved in these programmed, whether as participants, mentors, or guest speakers. Faculty-led start-ups have also been inducted, highlighting LCE’s commitment to integrating academic expertise with entrepreneurial pursuits. Moving forward, LCE plans to host a series of events and workshops to further support these cohorts, including demo days, networking mixers, and specialized training sessions. For more information on LCE programmed and its current cohort, visit lce.lums.edu.pk