Lahore, 20 February, 2025 : Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has awarded the LUMS Centre for Entrepreneurship (LCE) a Cleantech/EnergyTech Grant to establish a dedicated space within its co-working facility. This initiative aims to support start-ups focused on cleantech and sustainable energy solutions, fostering innovation to tackle local and global climate challenges.
The OGDCL Energy and Cleantech Zone, housed within LCE, will serve as a hub for research, collaboration, and innovation. It will provide selected start-ups access to workspaces, mentorship, and industry expertise. The initiative aligns with LCE’s mission to drive entrepreneurship in high-impact areas, including AI-driven energy solutions, cleantech, and sustainability.
The partnership was announced at a ceremony held at the LUMS Vice Chancellor’s Office, with senior representatives from both organisations in attendance. OGDCL was represented by Mr. Ahmed Hayat Lak, MD/CEO; Mr. Shahzad Safdar, Executive Director HR/Admin; Mr. Talat Haider, Chief Incharge Oil and Gas Training Institute; Mr. Zeeshan Haider, Manager External Communications; Mr. Omair Kamran, Senior Training Coordinator; and Mr. Raja Sami Haris, Human Resource Officer. LUMS and LCE were represented by Dr. Ali Cheema, Vice Chancellor, LUMS; Ms. Nuzhat Kamran, Director, Office of Advancement; Prof. Nauman Ahmad Zaffar, Faculty Lead, Cleantech Projects; and Mr. Jazib Zahir, Director, LCE.
Mr. Zahir commented on the agreement, saying, “The OGDCL partnership is a significant milestone for LUMS, and the Centre for Entrepreneurship views it as a key collaboration. We share common goals in areas like innovation, AI, cleantech, and training. OGDCL’s support is vital to the sustainability and growth of the Centre, enabling us to branch into new strategic areas.”
Mr. Lak shared the vision behind the initiative, “At OGDCL, we recognise the importance of sustainable energy solutions. Our partnership with LCE allows us to nurture the next generation of innovators in cleantech. By investing in entrepreneurship, we are cultivating a culture of research-driven problem-solving that will benefit Pakistan’s energy sector and beyond.”
Following the ceremony, the OGDCL delegation toured the LCE facilities, including the Makers Lab, where they witnessed firsthand the entrepreneurial potential of start-ups at LCE.
Looking ahead, LCE is excited to explore further collaborations with both public and private organisations to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs, driving innovative solutions that will create lasting impact in Pakistan and beyond.

Lahore, 1st November 2024: The LUMS Centre for Entrepreneurship (LCE) has successfully inducted its inaugural cohorts for two signature programmes: the LCE Idea Launch Incubation programme and the Slingshot Accelerator programme. Both programmes underscore LCE’s commitment to fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Pakistan, catering to start-ups at different stages of growth.

The LCE Idea Launch Incubation programme is designed to support early-stage start-up founders at the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey. It provides essential resources including a co-working space, access to the Makers Lab for prototyping, and training modules that equip participants with skills to build and scale their businesses. Additionally, start-ups benefit from networking opportunities with seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts, alongside guest sessions that enhance entrepreneurial knowledge.

On the other hand, the Slingshot Accelerator programme targets revenue-generating start-ups that are ready to scale. This acceleration initiative offers strategic mentorship from industry leaders, access to tailored resources, hands-on workshops, and opportunities to connect with investors. Start-ups in this programme gain practical insights into driving revenue growth and preparing for investment success.

Start-ups inducted into both programmes will have the unique opportunity to pitch their ventures to a panel of investors, successful founders, and venture capitalists at the Investor Summit held at the conclusion of their training. This summit will offer participants a valuable platform to secure potential funding, forge strategic partnerships, and gain insights that can accelerate their growth.

The inaugural cohorts comprise 25 start-ups in the LCE Idea Launch Incubation programme and 10 start-ups in the Slingshot Accelerator programme, all selected from a competitive pool of applicants across Pakistan. Representing a diverse range of industries, these start-ups are tackling challenges ranging from educational technology and artificial intelligence to sustainability and financial services. Through the LCE Idea Launch and Slingshot Accelerator programmes, these innovators will address critical problems to drive change and create impact in their respective fields.

A core element of LCE’s success with its entrepreneurial programmes has been its deep engagement with the LUMS community. Students, alumni, and faculty members have been directly involved in these programmes, whether as participants, mentors, or guest speakers. Faculty-led start-ups have also been inducted, highlighting LCE’s commitment to integrating academic expertise with entrepreneurial pursuits. Moving forward, LCE plans to host a series of events and workshops to further support these cohorts, including demo days, networking mixers, and specialised training sessions.

For more information on LCE programmes and its current cohort, visit lce.lums.edu.pk