ISLAMABAD: U.S. Embassy Islamabad Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker has said that Pakistan has no shortage of talent, ambition, or entrepreneurial potential, but young innovators need greater access to opportunities, mentorship, and investment to turn their ideas into sustainable businesses.
She made the remarks while addressing the launch ceremony of the Innovation Hive at the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) in Islamabad. Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, officials, entrepreneurs, business representatives, and other stakeholders attended the event.
Addressing the gathering, Baker said that somewhere in Pakistan, entrepreneurs were developing ideas that could potentially create hundreds of jobs and build business links between Pakistan and the United States.
“Talent exists everywhere, but opportunity does not always find it,” she said, explaining that the Innovation Hive had been established to provide entrepreneurs with a platform where they could transform their ideas into viable businesses.
The Innovation Hive is a partnership between USEFP, the U.S. Embassy, and American companies and investors interested in supporting Pakistan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
According to Baker, the facility will remain open five days a week, from Tuesday to Saturday, and will provide training, networking opportunities, and direct access to American experts who can guide entrepreneurs on the practical steps required to build and scale their companies.
She said the initiative aims to have more than 250 mentors in its network by the end of the first year. It also aims to support more than 50 high-performing entrepreneurs, over 500 entrepreneurs at the concept stage, and more than 1,000 people interested in learning how to launch a business.
Baker also announced the Endeavor Project, a two-year initiative under which the U.S. government will invest $500,000 to support 30 high-performing Pakistani entrepreneurs.
The initiative will provide mentorship, consultation, networking opportunities and potentially opportunities to travel to the United States.
Speaking about economic cooperation between the two countries, Baker said stronger links between Pakistani startups and American businesses could create new customers, partners and markets for companies in both countries.
She said the United States would continue working with Pakistani partners to expand trade, promote joint research and innovation, strengthen intellectual property protection and contribute to a more open investment environment.
“The Government of Pakistan has already invested significantly in its startup ecosystem, and we want to build on that together,” she said.
Baker also highlighted the role of USEFP in strengthening U.S.-Pakistan relations, describing the organization as one of the most trusted institutions in the bilateral relationship and praising its long-standing efforts to provide Pakistani students with opportunities to study in the United States.
She thanked USEFP Executive Director Dr. Peter Moran and his team for their efforts in establishing the Innovation Hive and turning the concept into a functioning space for entrepreneurs.
The Chargé d’Affaires also acknowledged the contribution of American companies to the initiative. Stewart Pakistan donated furnishings for the Hive, while Papa John’s provided food for the launch event.
Baker noted that the United States is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, while Pakistan and the United States will mark 80 years of bilateral relations next year.
She said the histories of both countries were shaped by people who solved problems, took risks and created something new, adding that the Innovation Hive would provide Pakistani innovators with an opportunity to become part of that tradition.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Baker formally opened the Innovation Hive at USEFP and invited entrepreneurs, students, innovators and professionals to explore the facility and make use of the opportunities it provides.
“Talent exists everywhere. Today, we build a place where opportunity can find it,” she said.
