Apply Now for NVC 2026
Industrial Partnership Projects (IPP), in collaboration with Akhuwat, the Engineers for Community Welfare (ECW) of Pakistan, and Al-Khawarizmi Institute of Computer Sciences (KICS) Pakistan, plans to host a competition for young entrepreneurs starting in August 2026. This will be a business ideas competition, inspiring young entrepreneurs to transform their business dreams into reality. All aspiring entrepreneurs, including graduates and undergraduate students, can participate by submitting their proposals and compete for the award of up to $20,000 in the form of an interest-free loan for starting their business.
In this competition, participants shall embark on a journey unlike any other. It will be a chance for them to pitch their venture plans, compete for the award money, receive unparalleled feedback and mentorship from world-class business professionals, and obtain attention from different investors. The competition is also a platform for learning and gaining expert knowledge directly from seasoned professionals.
1. Competition
The NVC is a three round competition where participant teams will present their new ventures proposals to a panel of expert judges. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams as follows:
- 1st Place – $20,000
- 2nd Place – $10,000
- 3rd Place – $5,000
All monies shall be awarded in segments in the form of interest free loans, which will be returnable in installments as described in Section 5 below.
2. Schedule
- Aug 15, 2025 – Program launch
- Oct 17, 2025 – Executive summary submission deadline for the qualifying round
- Oct 17 to Dec 11, 2025 – Executive summary screening and first round judging
- Dec 12, 2025 – Announcement of (10) semi-finalists
- Jan 16, 2026 – Submission deadline of detailed business plan from the semi-finalists for the second round
- Interviews for second round begin Jan 31, 2026 (all Pakistan time)
o Jan 31 and Feb 1 (8pm and 9pm)
o Feb 7 and Feb 8 (8pm and 9pm)
o Feb 14 (8pm and 9pm)
o Feb 15 – Interview backup day
- Feb 18 to March 20, 2026 – Ramadhan and Eid
- April 1, 2026 – Final round pitch and award ceremony (Lahore)
o All 10 semi-finalists will be invited to the award ceremony.
o Each semi-finalist will be required to make a 5 to 10 min pitch of their proposal.
o Each semi-finalist may also set up a table with their project prototype or poster(s) (this is optional, but highly encouraged).