BUILD. LEAD. INNOVATE.
Young CEOs, Entrepreneurs & Innovators Summit, Expo & Awards
20–22 October 2026 | Bahria University Islamabad
YES 2026
20–22 October 2026
Bahria University Islamabad
Together We Build More
Leadership • Innovation • Entrepreneurship • Sustainability
Young CEOs Summit & Innovation Expo
Bahria Startup Pitch Competition
Entrepreneurial Workshops
YES 2026 Awards at Riphah International University
Industry–Academia Linkages
Building Connections • Creating Opportunities
Shaping a Sustainable Future
YES 2026
20–22 October 2026
Bahria University Islamabad
Together We Build More
Leadership • Innovation • Entrepreneurship • Sustainability
Young CEOs Summit & Innovation Expo
Bahria Startup Pitch Competition
Entrepreneurial Workshops
YES 2026 Awards at Riphah International University
Industry–Academia Linkages
Building Connections • Creating Opportunities
Shaping a Sustainable Future
Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, along with Vice Chancellors and Rectors of federal and twin cities universities, senior HEC officials, and members of the organizing committee, officially launched the Young CEOs, Entrepreneurs and Innovators Summit, Expo & Awards 2026 at Air University, Islamabad.
Held as a direct follow-up to the recommendations of the 6th International Students Convention & Expo, the summit promotes entrepreneurship, innovation, industry–academia linkages, and youth leadership by providing a dedicated national platform for emerging entrepreneurs, innovators, startups, and future business leaders across Pakistani universities.
Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, along with Vice Chancellors and Rectors of federal and twin cities universities, senior HEC officials, and members of the organizing committee, officially launched the Young CEOs, Entrepreneurs and Innovators Summit, Expo & Awards 2026 at Air University, Islamabad.
Scheduled for 20–22 October 2026 at Bahria University, Islamabad as a follow-up to the 6th International Students Convention & Expo, providing a national platform for emerging entrepreneurs, innovators, startups, and future business leaders across Pakistani universities.
Building Connections • Creating Opportunities • Shaping a Sustainable Future — Explore the official venues, dates, theme, key summit activities, regional rounds, and national coordination details.
Hands-on capacity building sessions on AI, venture finance, investment readiness, sales growth, and entrepreneurial leadership for university founders.
Emerging student startups and university spinouts present scalable business models and prototypes before investors, industry leaders, and BIC/ORIC experts.
Two-day flagship national convention featuring Young CEOs keynotes, Vice Chancellors & Rectors panels, investor matchmaking, and multi-university startup stalls.
Prestigious national awards ceremony and reception for registered participants celebrating outstanding young CEOs, innovators, startups, and institutional partners.
Track all nine official YES 2026 milestones across Pakistan's premier universities and national institutions leading into the 20–22 October 2026 Summit at Bahria University, Islamabad.
Inaugural pre-summit forum bringing together regional industry chambers, university leadership, and emerging entrepreneurs in Gujranwala to strengthen practical industry–academia linkages.
IISAT University, Gujranwala
High-level national dialogue on market-aligned curricula, outcome-driven internships, AI & emerging technologies, strengthening ORICs/BICs, and the Federal Government's “Year of Skills 2027” vision.
FPCCI Capital House, Islamabad
Focused policy roundtable with Chairman IPO-Pakistan Prof. Dr. Hafiz Aziz-ur-Rehman and Dr. Javaid Laghari on patent commercialization, technology transfer, and ORIC/BIC capacity building.
IPO-Pakistan, Islamabad
Uniting student-led entrepreneurship, innovation, and startup societies from universities nationwide to build a collaborative campus entrepreneurship network ahead of YES 2026.
FAST-NUCES, Islamabad
Intensive coding and problem-solving hackathon hosted at BIIT Rawalpindi where university tech teams build functional prototypes addressing real industry and civic challenges.
BIIT, Rawalpindi
Dedicated skill-building workshops covering AI for startups, financial modeling, sales strategy, intellectual property protection, and investment readiness.
Bahria University, Islamabad
High-potential university startups and early-stage founders pitch live before venture capital panels, angel investors, and corporate innovation leaders.
Bahria University, Islamabad
Flagship two-day Young CEOs Summit, Innovation & Startup Expo, Vice Chancellors & Rectors Forum, Investor Networking, and Academia–Industry Linkages dialogues.
Bahria University, Islamabad
Official YES 2026 Excellence Awards ceremony and gala reception hosted at Riphah International University, Islamabad honoring top young CEOs, innovators, and university ecosystems.
Riphah Int'l University
National Convention
Uniting student-led entrepreneurship, innovation, and startup societies from universities nationwide to build a collaborative campus entrepreneurship network ahead of YES 2026.
FAST-NUCES, Islamabad
Tech Challenge
Intensive coding and problem-solving hackathon hosted at BIIT Rawalpindi where university tech teams build functional prototypes addressing real industry and civic challenges.
BIIT, Rawalpindi
Summit Day 01
Skill-building masterclasses in AI, sales, finance, and investment readiness alongside the Bahria University Startup Pitch Competition.
Bahria University, Islamabad
Summit Day 02
Inaugural keynotes, National Young CEOs Summit, university startup expo stalls, and investor matchmaking at Bahria University, Islamabad.
Bahria University, Islamabad
Evening Gala
Evening gala reception and awards ceremony recognizing Pakistan's top young CEOs, emerging entrepreneurs, innovators, and academic leaders.
Riphah International University, Islamabad
Summit Day 03
Continued startup exhibition, Vice Chancellors & Rectors Forum, Women Driving Innovation, Young CEOs Meetups, and Closing Plenary.
Bahria University, Islamabad
06 October 2026
Uniting student-led entrepreneurship, innovation, and startup societies from universities nationwide to build a collaborative campus entrepreneurship network.
FAST-NUCES, Islamabad
06 October 2026
Cross-university networking for student society presidents, incubator chapters, and campus startup ambassadors ahead of YES 2026.
FAST-NUCES, Islamabad
10 October 2026
Full-day university coding, rapid prototyping, and AI solutions hackathon hosted at Barani Institute of Information Technology (BIIT), Rawalpindi.
BIIT, Rawalpindi
10 October 2026
Technical mentorship sprints and live product demonstrations before industry evaluators, qualifying top teams for the YES 2026 Innovation Expo.
BIIT, Rawalpindi
20 October 2026
Build practical skills in AI, sales, finance, investment readiness, and future leadership through hands-on masterclasses.
Bahria University, Islamabad
20 October 2026
Present your startup solution, market potential, and business model before an expert panel of investors and industry leaders.
Bahria University, Islamabad
20 October 2026
Gain actionable tools to scale your venture through focused mentorship clinics with BIC directors, ORIC leaders, and founders.
Bahria University, Islamabad
21 October 2026
Inaugural keynotes, fireside conversations, leadership dialogues, and exhibition of university startups, BIC/ORIC innovations, and emerging technologies.
Bahria University, Islamabad
21 October 2026
Direct matchmaking between university startups, venture investors, financial institutions, incubators, and corporate sector partners.
Bahria University, Islamabad
21 October 2026
Evening gala reception and awards ceremony recognizing Pakistan's top young CEOs, emerging entrepreneurs, innovators, and academic leaders.
Riphah International University, Islamabad
22 October 2026
Continued exhibition of student-led startups, commercialized research prototypes, and strategic partnership signings across industries.
Bahria University, Islamabad
22 October 2026
High-level academic leadership dialogue on the role of universities in commercialization, entrepreneurship curricula, and sustainable economic growth.
Bahria University, Islamabad
22 October 2026
Ecosystem networking, policy declaration for university entrepreneurship, and closing ceremony at Bahria University, Islamabad.
Bahria University, Islamabad
YES 2026 connects emerging entrepreneurs with academia, industry, investors and policymakers.
One National Platform
Recognition and Appreciation highlight the achievements of the summit, celebrating the institutional contributions and collaborations that make this national initiative succeed. Awards and commemorative presentations reflect the shared commitment of HEC, partner universities, and industry chambers to promote excellence and innovation.
Recognizing participants and contributors who demonstrate exceptional performance and dedication.
Celebrating innovative ideas, entrepreneurial spirit, and meaningful contributions to the startup ecosystem.
Honoring the shared efforts of HEC, BIIT, Bahria University, Riphah International University, speakers, and partners.
YES 2026
The Young Entrepreneurship Summit is more than an event—it is a step toward shaping the future of entrepreneurship in Pakistan. HEC's leadership and BIIT's partnership create a platform where students can develop the skills, confidence, and vision needed to turn ideas into meaningful opportunities.
Our mission is to empower students with practical entrepreneurial knowledge, confidence, and opportunities while connecting them with experienced leaders, mentors, and innovators.
Our vision is to inspire a generation of innovative and responsible entrepreneurs who can create sustainable businesses, solve real-world problems, and contribute to Pakistan's economic growth.
Our impact is measured through the ideas, connections, and opportunities created at the summit—encouraging students to transform their entrepreneurial potential into meaningful action.
Join emerging CEOs, startup founders, Vice Chancellors, investors, and policymakers for three transformative days of workshops, startup pitches, exhibitions, and national excellence awards.
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One national platform connecting talent, capital and opportunity
Chancellors, Rectors, and Vice Chancellors share their vision for YES 2026 — empowering university graduates to transform innovative ideas into high-impact startups and lead Pakistan's economic future.
Shares his views on the upcoming YES – Young CEOs and Entrepreneurs Summit, Expo & Awards, highlighting its importance in fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, and collaboration among Pakistan's emerging business leaders and innovators at Bahria University, Islamabad.
Praises the Higher Education Commission (HEC) initiative to bring together young entrepreneurs of Pakistan, motivating university graduates to transform their ideas into startups, become young CEOs, and actively contribute to Pakistan's socio-economic growth.
Shares his perspective on the upcoming Young CEOs & Entrepreneurs Summit, Expo & Awards 2026, emphasizing that entrepreneurship and startups are essential catalysts for Pakistan's economic growth and hold promising future potential.
Leading up to YES 2026 at Bahria University Islamabad, high-level forums at FPCCI Capital House and IPO-Pakistan Headquarters have convened Vice Chancellors, industry leaders, and federal policymakers.
Jointly organized by FPCCI, YES 2026, HEC Task Force on Business Incubation Centres, Atlas VTI, and the Vice Chancellor Forum of Federal Universities • Moderated by Muhammad Murtaza Noor (CEO/National Coordinator, Inter-University Consortium).
A high-level forum held at the FPCCI Regional Office (FPCCI Capital House), Islamabad brought together Vice Chancellors, industry leaders, policymakers, and education experts to bridge the gap between Pakistan's universities and industry. The session underscored that a lack of practical skills, weak industry–academia linkages, and outdated curricula are major barriers to youth employability — and that universities must evolve into hubs of skill development, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Updating university courses with direct input from industry experts to match contemporary workforce standards.
Making practical workplace training and hands-on industry experience mandatory for university students.
Preparing graduates with digital, technical, and entrepreneurial skills to meet modern job market demands.
Appointing full-time professional staff and upgrading university laboratories through industry CSR funding.
Announced by Dr. Syed Shahbaz Hussain Shamsi (DG Prime Minister's Youth Programme) as part of the Federal Government's national vision to equip Pakistani youth with globally competitive skills.
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92 News Special Report on a high-level Roundtable on Intellectual Property, Technology Transfer & Academia–Industry Linkages, jointly organized by YES 2026, IPO-Pakistan, and the HEC Task Force on Business Incubation Centres at IPO-Pakistan, Islamabad.
The roundtable brought together senior leadership of IPO-Pakistan, HEC, Pakistan Science Foundation, academia, universities, and relevant stakeholders to discuss IP protection, trademarks, technology commercialization, technology transfer, and stronger academia–industry linkages.
An important roundtable on “Intellectual Property, Technology Transfer & Academia–Industry Linkages” was held at IPO-Pakistan, Islamabad, organized by YES Pakistan in collaboration with IPO-Pakistan and the HEC Task Force on ORICs & BICs. The session was moderated by Muhammad Murtaza Noor.
Prof. Dr. Hafiz Aziz-ur-Rehman, Chairman IPO-Pakistan, welcomed the participants and emphasized stronger collaboration between IPO-Pakistan and universities for the protection, commercialization, and transfer of academic research and innovations. Dr. Javaid Laghari, Convenor, HEC Task Forces on ORICs & BICs, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the need to transform university research into commercially viable products, technologies, and innovations.
The roundtable brought together senior academics, policymakers, and stakeholders, including Prof. Dr. Mohammad Akmal, Prof. Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan, Dr. Abdul Basit, and Dr. Muhammad Abubakar, who reaffirmed their support for YES Pakistan – Young CEOs, Entrepreneurs & Innovators Summit, Expo & Awards 2026 at Bahria University, Islamabad.
Click any photograph to view in full-screen lightbox mode. Filter across the Official HEC Launch at Air University, the FPCCI “Skilling Pakistan” Forum, and the IPO-Pakistan Roundtable.
Vice Chancellors & Rectors of federal and twin cities universities join senior HEC officials for the official launch ceremony.
Vice Chancellors, FPCCI leadership, HEC Task Force, and Atlas VTI representatives with the official forum banner.
Academic and corporate leaders aligning university curricula with modern industrial and technological needs.
Deliberations on mandatory outcome-driven internships, AI skills, and CSR-backed university lab upgrades.
Honoring distinguished academic and government speakers at the Skilling Pakistan Forum in Islamabad.
Official schedule covering all 9 pre-summit and main summit events from August to October 2026.
Policy dialogue on patent protection, commercialization, and ORIC/BIC empowerment in Islamabad.
Senior leadership of IPO-Pakistan, HEC Task Force, Pakistan Science Foundation, and partner universities.
Vice Chancellors and policy experts discussing AI-assisted patent filing and university spinouts.
Prof. Dr. Hafiz Aziz-ur-Rehman and Dr. Javaid Laghari addressing the roundtable participants.
Strategic planning and academic–industry partnership discussions supporting student innovation.
Commemorative awards and recognition celebrating excellence in university entrepreneurship.
Host campus for the inaugural YES 2026 Academia Industry Linkages Forum in Gujranwala.
Host venue for the First National Convention of Campus-Based Entrepreneurial Societies.
Host campus for the YES 2026 National Innovation Hackathon in Rawalpindi.
20–22 October 2026 • Bahria University Islamabad20–22 October 2026 at Bahria University, Islamabad. Register for Entrepreneurial Workshops (20 Oct), Startup Pitch Competition (20 Oct), and the Main Summit & Expo (21–22 Oct).
08 Sept 2026 • FPCCI Capital House, IslamabadExplore the 5 actionable roadmaps from the FPCCI Regional Office forum on market-aligned curricula, mandatory internships, and AI skills.
21 October 2026 • Riphah International University21st October 2026 at Riphah International University, Islamabad — celebrating outstanding young CEOs, innovators, and university startups.