Seven Pakistanis that made it to Forbes’ 30 under 30 [Update on Post#20]

[KoyoAli]

Using their talent and hard work to make the country proud, four Pakistanis have made it to the list of Forbes 30 under 30 and we couldn't be more excited for them!

Included as honorees in the list for North America, the four champs chosen out of 600 young entrepreneurs, activists, scientists, and entertainers featured in the 10th annual issue, have given everyone motivation to defy the odds, build their dream businesses and reach new heights.

Appearing in categories such as Marketing and Advertising, Education as well as Games, here's a little info about the rockstars:

Sanaa Khan - Games

29-year-old Sana is a Program Manager at Google, where she leads go-to-market strategy and hardware planning for the tech giant's cloud gaming service Stadia.

Khan spearheaded initiatives such as 'Stadia's Free Play Days', enacted during the pandemic for financially constrained gamers, as well as drives a scholarship program for women developers, making her the only Pakistani woman to feature on this list.

Asad J Malik - Marketing and Advertising

Having done his Bachelor of Arts/Science from Bennington College, Asad J. Malik moved to the US from Pakistan in 2016 for higher education and has since then been a pioneer in using augmented reality for the purpose of storytelling.

In his breakout project, Terminal 3, Malik featured young Muslim immigrants and collaborating with Magic Leap, explored the personification of Artificial Intelligence through A Jester's Tale.

The 24-year-old CEO of Jadu AR, an app that creates holograms and immersive 3D performances (with TikTok stars and musicians) to make them seem realistic and interactive for listeners, he currently resides in Los Angeles, working with Verizon to build educational AR experiences with 5G.

Danish Dhamani - Education

A Pakistani native who grew up in East Africa, Danish Dhamani was terrified of speaking in classroom presentations and job interviews when he moved to the US. This motivated him to find a speech-coaching app, Orai (for "oral AI") with his Drexel University classmates, Aasim and Paritosh Gupta in 2017.

From corporate clients including Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Comcast, and IBM and individuals who pay $10 per month, Danish found 5,000 active monthly users record themselves speaking and receive feedback such as how many times they say "um", through his app.

The Philadelphia-based startup has raised $2.3 million in seed funding and expects to become profitable in 2021.

Faizan Bhatty - Marketing and Advertising

Student at the University of Pennsylvania, Faizan Bhatty along with his mate, Kenan Saleh co-founded Halo Cars in 2019 as a way to create new ad space on rideshare vehicles and a way for Uber and Lyft drivers to earn more money.

"Smart digital screens sit atop cars enabling the display of hyper-targeted ads," said Forbes, adding that startup-competition awards funded prototypes and a pilot and $500,000 from angel investors followed. Bhatty's company sold to Lyft within a year of its inception.

https://images.dawn.com/news/1186138/4-pakistanis-make-it-to-forbes-30-under-30-for-north-america

 

[Mamoon]

In my opinion, those who were born and brought up outside Pakistan should not eligible for this Pakistan because Pakistan has no contribution to their success.

 

[watson367]

Good stuff

 

[ElRaja]

im confused, is this for pakistan or for the usa

 

[ElRaja]

ignore that, just read it, well done to them

 

[Madplayer]

4 out of 30 is not a bad ratio at all.

 

[JaDed]

4 out of 30 is not a bad ratio at all.

Someone can correct me but its for each category having 30, not total 30.

https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2021/

 

[BreadPakoda]

4 out of 30 is not a bad ratio at all.

4 out of 600 actually.

 

[Giannis]

In my opinion, those who were born and brought up outside Pakistan should not eligible for this Pakistan because Pakistan has no contribution to their success.

You always have something negative to say.

If you actually read the article, these people actually grew up in Pakistan and only came here recently. At the end of the day individuals are responsible for their own success and failures, not a country or a group of people, that said it's always good to see people from your community or country of origin succeed. Hopefully this inspires more Pakistani and Asian kids.

 

[Mamoon]

You always have something negative to say.

If you actually read the article, these people actually grew up in Pakistan and only came here recently.

Looks like you didn’t read the article either.

Danish Dhamani - Education

A Pakistani native who grew up in East Africa, Danish Dhamani was terrified of speaking in classroom presentations and job interviews when he moved to the US. This motivated him to find a speech-coaching app, Orai (for "oral AI") with his Drexel University classmates, Aasim and Paritosh Gupta in 2017.

Also, it appears that this Faizan “Bhatty” guy is ashamed of his Pakistani roots even though he grew up in Pakistan and did his schooling here.

However, it seems that he doesn’t want to be associated with his Pakistani identity anymore which is why he changed his name from Bhatti to Bhatty, because the latter sounds more western.

Hence, we should do him a favor and stop calling him a Pakistani because looks like he doesn’t want anything to do with Pakistan.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

Looks like you didn’t read the article either.



Also, it appears that this Faizan “Bhatty” guy is ashamed of his Pakistani roots even though he grew up in Pakistan and did his schooling here.

However, it seems that he doesn’t want to be associated with his Pakistani identity anymore which is why he changed his name from Bhatti to Bhatty, because the latter sounds more western.

Hence, we should do him a favor and stop calling him a Pakistani because looks like he doesn’t want anything to do with Pakistan.

Its probably the spelling his parents used in English. alot of people spell Bhatti as Bhatty. Its like the surname Baig is also spelled as Beg.

 

[sweep_shot]

That's cool.

Pakistanis based in USA generally do well.

 

[Mamoon]

Its probably the spelling his parents used in English. alot of people spell Bhatti as Bhatty. Its like the surname Baig is also spelled as Beg.

Yes, people ashamed of their identity and trying to hide their roots come up with these funky spellings to make their names look more western.

This type of behavior is often facilitated by parents themselves.

 

[Giannis]

Yes, people ashamed of their identity and trying to hide their roots come up with these funky spellings to make their names look more western.

This type of behavior is often facilitated by parents themselves.

It's not that deep. People change their names for numerous reasons and it's not because they're ashamed of where they are from in fact historically in America a lot of German and Slavic immigrants have always anglicized their names, same thing with some east asians. It's not that deep.

 

[Mamoon]

It's not that deep. People change their names for numerous reasons and it's not because they're ashamed of where they are from in fact historically in America a lot of German and Slavic immigrants have always anglicized their names, same thing with some east asians. It's not that deep.

Yes it is not deep. It just shows your shallow character and your eagerness to fit in. These “Bhatty” types are also reluctant to acknowledge that they are from Pakistan until it is very difficult for them to hide their country of origin.

This “Bhatty” guy must have also put on a fake American accent as soon as he landed in the U.S., much to the surprise of his Pakistani friends back home.

During my 3 years in DC/Merrifield VA, I did come across a couple of such ‘Pakistanis.’ Being a Pakistani is obviously nothing to be proud of, but if you have the misfortune of being one, there is no point in hiding it. It is what it is.

Anyway, this Bhatty fellow has obviously done extremely well for himself. He is super successful at a young age and has a very bright future. So let’s respect his wish and not call him a Pakistani because he is clearly distancing himself from his country of origin and doesn’t want anything to do with Pakistan anymore.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

Yes, people ashamed of their identity and trying to hide their roots come up with these funky spellings to make their names look more western.

This type of behavior is often facilitated by parents themselves.

It's not that deep. People change their names for numerous reasons and it's not because they're ashamed of where they are from in fact historically in America a lot of German and Slavic immigrants have always anglicized their names, same thing with some east asians. It's not that deep.

Found him on facebook. Numerours members of his family all have the same "Bhatty" spelling. So it was not him who changed his name, his family just spelled it like that. So many Pakistani surnames have multiple spellings.

 

[Mamoon]

Found him on facebook. Numerours members of his family all have the same "Bhatty" spelling. So it was not him who changed his name, his family just spelled it like that. So many Pakistani surnames have multiple spellings.

Must be a family thing then. The identity crisis is generational.

Interestingly, I searched “Bhatty” on LinkedIn and most of them were based abroad, which explains a lot.

 

[ahsan17]

You always have something negative to say.

If you actually read the article, these people actually grew up in Pakistan and only came here recently. At the end of the day individuals are responsible for their own success and failures, not a country or a group of people, that said it's always good to see people from your community or country of origin succeed. Hopefully this inspires more Pakistani and Asian kids.

You are generally working with moving goal posts with Mamoon. If there was a terrorist incident and one grand parent of one terrorist was Pakistani, he'd likely claim the terrorist was Pakistani and how it was humiliating.

 

[OMB]

Pakistani woman makes it to Forbes ‘Next 1000 List’

Mariam's induction puts her 'with entrepreneurs who are redefining what it means to run a business amid new normal'

A Pakistani woman, Mariam Nusrat, has made it to the “Forbes Next 1000 List,” which celebrates the start-ups and business with fewer than $10 million in revenue and unlimited potential to inspire.

“An entrepreneur’s journey is not linear — it is filled with a series of twists and turns; defeat is a natural part of the process, but what differentiates entrepreneurs on the Forbes Next 1000 List is their resilience in the face of adversity,” the leading US magazine said in a statement on Friday.

Mariam, the founder of GRID, holds a Master’s degree in economics from both LUMS and George Washington University in the US and is currently residing in Virginia, USA.

Mariam induction in the Forbes Next 1000 List, puts her with entrepreneurs who are redefining what it means to build and run a business amid the new normal.

This first-of-its-kind initiative, by Forbes, celebrates bold and inspiring entrepreneurs who are redefining what it means to run a business today. Mariam’s achievements were recognised by Forbes’ editors plus a panel of top business minds and entrepreneurial superstars.

Over time Mariam has been celebrated across various platforms for her prestigious entrepreneurial career which began in 2015 when she formed the not-for-profit arm for GRID – Gaming Revolution for Inspiring Development.

For the past 6 years, Mariam has been leading a team of Pakistan-based game developers and designers to create low-cost mobile games that inspire positive behaviour change. The team created eight portfolio games, in four languages on topics including reproductive health, climate change, health pandemics, animal welfare, STEM learning and structural racism.

For this work, Mariam has received several awards including the Clinton Global Initiative University Alum Award (presented on-stage by President Bill Clinton), DC Inno 50 on Fire Award, Andrew Rice Award, the GWU Best Social Venture Prize and UN PeaceApp prize.

Since its launch GRID has received extensive media attention with TV interviews on ABC News and WUSA9, and articles in Huffington Post, Global Voices, Washington Business Journal, Today, Yahoo News and other mainstream international news channels.

Mariam has also presented GRID at several high-level forums including, two sessions moderated by former US president Clinton at the CGIU Meetings and two Tedx events.

The team’s current focus is on democratising content creation through video games on their platform Breshna. With Breshna, people are empowered to communicate in an interactive fashion. Whether it’s a teacher making a history quiz, a not-for-profit leader making a brochure on animal compassion or a founder making a pitch deck, they can all leverage Breshna to create fun and interactive video games to engage their audience. “The team has already raised $75,000 in a pre-seed round from 11 Tribes VC and is launching with a Game Jam on July 16th.”

With their pre-launch traction and positioning as industry disruptors in the purposeful games industry, the team projects scaling to 2 million users and 200,000 paying customers, and an ARR of $105 million by 2024.

When not unleashing the power of video games for social change, Mariam works as an Education Specialist at the World Bank.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2306014/pakistani-woman-makes-it-to-forbes-next-1000-list

 

[BouncerGuy]

Seven Pakistanis that made it to Forbes’ 30 under 30

The Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia list celebrates 300 young entrepreneurs and innovators under the age of 30, who have transformed their respective industries across the Asia-Pacific region.

Among those honoured are Pakistan’s Sarkhail Shahid Bawany, (ABHI), Adeel Abid (Linkstar), Aizaz Nayyer (Linkstar), Ali Raza (Linkstar), Aleena Nadeem (EduFi), Kasra Zunnaiyyer (Trukkr) and Bushra Sultan (artist).

ABHI - Sarkhail Shahid Bawany

The Head of Product at ABHI, Sarkhail Shahid Bawany’s project empowers workers to withdraw a percentage of their salary before their next paycheck when they need emergency cash. Sarkhail stated in an interview with ProPakistani, “I am immensely honoured and humbled to be included in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list. This accomplishment signifies not only a personal milestone but also highlights the remarkable talent and potential within Pakistan. It’s a source of pride for me to represent my country on such a prestigious platform, and I’m deeply grateful for the support and encouragement from my community and colleagues at ABHI. This recognition serves as powerful motivation for me to continue aiming for excellence and making meaningful contributions to Pakistan’s growth and innovation on the global stage”. Sarkhail’s company has now expanded to the Middle East and Bangladesh.

Adeel Abid, Aizaz Nayyer, and Ali Raza - Linkstar

Adeel Abid, Aizaz Nayyer, and Ali Raza are the co founders of the Karachi-based platform for freelancers, Linkstar. The company helps freelancers create free portfolio websites which can then be upgraded over time using advanced functionalities provided by them. Co founder, Ali Raza credited this victory to his team’s hard work. “This is a validation of the incredible work that our team has put in over the last three years, but it is just a small milestone on our journey. We’re keeping our heads down and staying focused on our path to uplift young talent across the MENAP region.”

Aleena Nadeem - EduFi

“Study Now, Pay Later” is EduFi’s motto, a Lahore-based startup run by Aleena Nadeem. The company’s primary focus is to help more Pakistanis fund university. EduFi has partnered with 27 colleges in the country who carry out credit-vetting, then pay the tuition fees for approved students. These students can then repay the loan on a monthly basis as they study.

Kasra Zunnaiyyer - Trukkr

Zunnaiyyer is the co founder and CTO of Karachi-based Trukkr, which developed a management platform for Pakistan's logistics sector. Established in 2020, the startup allows users to obtain financing, track their fleets and connect with customers. As it is one of the first digital services targeting the country's small and medium sized trucking companies, Trukkr has caught the attention of global investors.

Bushra Sultan - Artist

Bushra Sultan, a Lahore-based filmmaker, production designer and creative director, focuses on challenging societal constraints on women. Her notable works include the 'Guria' campaign for Demesne Couture and the 'Chimera' campaign, both addressing women's issues in Pakistan.

There were over 4000 candidates for Forbes Asia to comb through, so being chosen is a considerable feat, yet deserved. Forbes filtered their selections based on funding, revenue, social impact, scale, inventiveness, and potential. Other top performers on the coveted list included companies delivering IT solutions for healthcare, logistics and manufacturing, and more from other industries.

EXPRESS TRIBUNE