Mosaic Enterprise Challenge heads to Pakistan!

Building on the success of the Mosaic Enterprise Challenge first launched in the UK, and then in Jordan and Qatar, plans are finalised for the award-winning programme to be delivered in schools across Pakistan following a high-level visit this week. 

The Mosaic Enterprise Challenge, an initiative of HRH The Prince of Wales, is an annual national competition for secondary school students across the UK, designed to develop and encourage their entrepreneurial skills. SEED Ventures a Social, Entrepreneurship & Equity Development organization, is Mosaic’s delivery partner in Pakistan. Mosaic Managing Director - Jonathan Freeman, Head of International - Debra Hay, and Board member and London Chairman - Uzair Bawany were hosted by SEED Ventures for a visit to Karachi for a series of events. The visit included a high-level roundtable event for senior stakeholders hosted by the British Deputy High Commissioner – John Tucknott, a dinner for over 100 local supporters and a series of prominent media appearances, as well as visits to local schools already committed to participating in the Challenge.  As a result of this engagement, Zafa Pharmaceuticals confirmed its support for 50% of the overall funding of the programme over the next three years.

SEED Ventures, is run by local social entrepreneurs Faraz Khan and Khusro Ansari.  Faraz knows Mosaic and the Enterprise Challenge as well as he was one of the very first mentors on the Challenge when it was launched in the UK, supporting teams to the national finals. Commenting on the visit, Jonathan Freeman said “Mosaic has always wanted to take the Enterprise Challenge to Pakistan.  I am therefore delighted that Faraz, one of our very first UK mentors on the Challenge, and his team will be our partners in this exciting new development.  The speed and quality at which SEED Ventures have put in place the arrangements to make a reality of this ambition is truly impressive.” 

Jonathan Further commented “Mosaic’s success has always been down to the incredible support we receive from those willing to invest in our vision.  It is so very heartening therefore, that Zafa Pharmaceutical and their inspirational CEO, Jawad Khan, have committed the funding necessary to bring the Enterprise Challenge to Pakistan so quickly.”

With Mosaic’s support, Seed Ventures plan to deliver the Enterprise Challenge in the coming year to 300 students in at least 20 schools in Pakistan.  Importantly, SEED Ventures are determined that the Challenge should support the full diversity of Pakistan’s communities and has secured interest from schools not just in Karachi, but also Islamabad, Lahore, Quetta, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and Peshawar.  SEED has also secured an impressive degree of support from businesses prepared to promote the volunteer mentoring opportunities the Challenge offers.