CeDAR Hosts High-Octane Startup Weekend at LUMS, Spotlighting Blockchain, AI, and Digital Inclusion
Startup Weekend Lahore 2025 made its return to the city, hosted by the Center for Digital Assets Research (CeDAR) at LUMS. Held from Friday, November 7 to 9, the event centred on FutureTech — Blockchain, Web3, Fintech, AI, Open Banking and Digital Inclusion. Over an intensive 54‑hour journey, participants engaged in idea pitching, team formation, prototyping, mentor feedback and final presentations.
Friday night set the stage for an action-packed weekend, with 33 one‑minute pitches delivered in under an hour, creating immediate momentum that led to the formation of 14 teams. Throughout the weekend, teams iterated on product designs, validated ideas, built prototypes, and prepared final demos for a panel of experienced mentors, judges, and industry leaders.
The event drew participation from a strong network of experts. Guests included Jazib Zahir, Director LUMS Centre for Entrepreneurship (LCE); Shahid Hussain, Rector LUMS; Ali Hammad Akbar, Faculty, UET; Hamza Khan the Regional Operations Head of Binance; and Farhan Qureshi, CEO & Co-Founder, Winston Technology Zone.
Teams were supported throughout the weekend by mentors including Ali Khan, AS Legal; Ahsan Saleem, Confiz; Osman Nasir, NASTP; Zoha Waqas, Playpreneur; Mohsin Hafeez, Fasset; Dr. Salman Iqbal, Denovonet; and Abbas Yusufzai, Entrepreneur.
Final presentations were evaluated by a distinguished judging panel featuring Akif Saeed, Chairman, SECP; Mujahid Ali, CIO, Allied Bank; Nofel Daud, CDO, BOP; Muhammad Raza, Group Head Customer Support, Meezan Bank; Badar Khushnood, Bramerz; Murad Akhtar, Tintash; Khurram Zafar, CEO, PMEX; and Ahrar Naqvi, Founder, Ebryx. Their expertise and feedback played a vital role in shaping project outcomes and guiding participating founders.
The winning teams included NovatraPay — a digital wallet empowering gig workers and small vendors with financial identity and inclusive payment solutions (Winner); CommitteeAuntie — a decentralised, reputation-based committee management platform using fraud-proof smart contracts and SaharaScore (1st Runner-up); and AgroChar — eco-friendly, blockchain-tracked coal for sustainable energy and transparent supply chains (2nd Runner-up).
The wrap-up evening featured final team presentations, motivational talks, an awards ceremony, and networking over dinner — celebrating both the winners and the collaborative spirit that defined Startup Weekend Lahore 2025.
The weekend emphasised community over competition, offering participants a fast-paced journey of learning, collaboration, and connection. Many left with validated ideas, early prototypes, mentor relationships, and a clear roadmap for incubation, funding, or further development.
Serving as a launchpad for innovation, Startup Weekend Lahore 2025 once again proved that when passionate people unite, bold ideas evolve into startups, and communities grow into thriving ecosystems for the future.
