It’s not often that we see Pakistan noticed positively in the media. Five highly accomplished individuals from Pakistan have been recognized among the 300 exceptional young entrepreneurs, disruptors, and stars from the Asia Pacific region in the prestigious Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia 2023 list.
Meet the Recipients
Anas Niaz
What earned Anas a coveted spot on the Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia 2023 list is his work at Bioniks, a company he founded that uses 3D printing technology to create affordable and customized prosthetics with sensors and software. Their goal is to improve accessibility to bionic arms for individuals who have lost hand and finger movements, allowing them to grip objects.
While traditional bionic arms in the market often come with a hefty price tag exceeding $20,000, Bioniks provides their prosthetics at a significantly lower price., making them significantly more accessible to a broader population.
Ayesha Mubarak Ali
Ayesha is a talented visual tech artist who creates captivating multimedia pieces by blending traditional techniques with digital technology. Her work explores essential themes like identity politics, space applications, light pollution, and the future of humanity.
In July 2022, her artwork was sent aboard SpaceX’s Maleth II mission to the International Space Station, marking her as the first Pakistani artist to collaborate with NASA. Ayesha’s fusion-art approach has gained recognition, and her work has been showcased on prestigious platforms like NFT NYC and Forbes Middle East.
Hassan and Islam
Hassan and Islam, the cofounders of KalPay, have successfully established a Sharia-compliant startup in Pakistan, driven by their vision to cater to the significant Muslim population in the country.
Since its launch in June 2021, KalPay has been actively forming partnerships with various tech companies in Pakistan, including Foodpanda and Muawin, a prominent buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) player.
An essential aspect of KalPay’s journey is its support from Sabr Capital, an investment firm based in Singapore that specializes in supporting Sharia-compliant ventures.
Azam Mahmood
Azam has skillfully brought stories of queer people of color to popular TV networks, which was lacking during his upbringing in Karachi. He has collaborated with Golden Globe-winning actor Ramy Youssef.
Fearlessly delving into topics such as male vulnerability, Mahmood explores these subjects with a remarkable blend of sensitivity and humor.