Alumni

Pupil School Bus Ltd is a technology-driven student transportation company transforming school commuting in Bangladesh. The platform connects parents, schools, and operators through real-time GPS tracking, route optimization, and attendance monitoring to improve urban transit safety.

The fellowship broadened my perspective on organizational leadership and sustainable business development. Interacting with U.S. innovators introduced new approaches to partnership building, connecting me to a global network of changemakers.

Appointed as a Board Director of Modus Inc. (Tulsa, Oklahoma), directly emerging from professional trust built during his fellowship placement. Continues to collaborate with U.S. tech stakeholders on startup ecosystem development.

KART Digital is a premier digital strategy and communications agency driving public sector outreach and digital inclusion. It launched and powers the Alliance for Equitable AI (A4EAI), championing ethical AI advocacy, localized data governance, and technology access for underserved populations.

The program served as a catalyst for my strategic agency trajectory. Immersing myself in the U.S. tech policy ecosystem refined my approach to data governance, equipping me with strategies to drive public-sector dialogues and scale GovTech innovation.

Enhanced KART Digital’s global delivery workflows, strengthening their capacity to manage international projects, support outsourced freelance collaborations, and provide remote digital strategy consulting for U.S. clients.

STEAM Minds transforms traditional education through an AI and VR-enabled 3D learning platform. The platform integrates localized international curricula with adaptive learning and interactive VR simulations, allowing students to learn by doing.

The fellowship provided invaluable exposure to workforce development and STEM education models within the U.S.. Engaging with innovation leaders sharpened my understanding of cross-border scaling and opened new paths for international partnerships.

Following a successful placement with the Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance, the company continues to engage with its U.S. network to open channels for expansion into the U.S. market.

Fintech Digital Pvt Ltd builds digital finance solutions that make banking accessible. Headquartered in Sri Lanka, it develops platforms connecting banks, regulators, and tech partners. Flagship product AnyBanQ is a digital banking marketplace for financial literacy, while QChatPay is an instant payment solution requiring no app.

This fellowship was a privilege. Gaining respect for how financial literacy is embedded in the U.S. inspired me to adapt those frameworks for Sri Lanka. The exchange refined my leadership; I now think more deliberately about ecosystem design and trust building between regulators and innovators.

Initiated professional connections with U.S.-based business support organizations, including the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center (SBDC), to explore opportunities for international mentorship.

Brands in Style Pvt Ltd specializes in children's products, combining distribution, brand development, and manufacturing. Through its toy manufacturing brand, Tinker Tale, the company creates ethically produced handmade toys designed to inspire creativity, working with skilled women artisans to produce products that blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design.

The program broadened my understanding of international retail, consumer behavior, and early childhood learning environments. Visits to retail stores and schools across Oklahoma provided insights that influence product development and branding for Tinker Tale, giving me confidence to pursue collaborations.

Staying in touch with several businesses met during the program. One retail store visited has shown interest in the Tinker Tale handmade toy collection, and they are currently discussing distribution opportunities.

PadCare is a climate-tech company building circular infrastructure for sanitary waste. Using its patented 5D process, PadCare hygienically recycles used sanitary napkins and diapers into recovered pulp and plastic, closing a waste stream that has historically gone to landfills or incineration. PadCare serves 650+ corporate clients across India

The program deepened my understanding of how to build and communicate a mission-driven company across borders. Exposure to U.S. business practices and peer founders sharpened how I think about scaling operations and positioning PadCare to international stakeholders.

Collaborations are in early progress with select U.S. waste-management companies and a Department of Environment, exploring partnerships on circular sanitary-waste infrastructure.

Mistyfall is a purpose-driven botanical tea company that transforms indigenous and underutilized plants from Northeast India into premium herbal teas and wellness products. Working closely with local farmers, the company revives forgotten native botanicals by distributing planting materials and creating sustainable market demand.

The program significantly strengthened my leadership, strategic thinking, and global outlook as an entrepreneur. Learning from American businesses and nonprofit organizations broadened my understanding of sustainable business growth, branding, and community impact.

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Bridge Consulting is an emerging cross-border strategy and business-development platform focused on building stronger bridges between India, the United States, and global markets. The work focuses on helping founders, institutions, and growth-stage businesses navigate market entry, partnerships, and execution across geographies.

The program was a transformative experience that helped me understand the U.S. entrepreneurial ecosystem at a deeper level. My placement with gener8tor Oklahoma gave me valuable exposure to how ecosystem builders, accelerators, founders, mentors, and institutions collaborate to support businesses.

Built relationships with U.S. ecosystem leaders and institutional stakeholders through gener8tor Oklahoma. These interactions shape ongoing efforts to build startup support pathways and founder networks between India and the U.S.

Scorpbit Technologies is a global technology company on a mission to power the digital economy by turning technology into transformative experiences. With teams across Pakistan, Canada, the US, and Saudi Arabia, Scorpbit delivers end-to-end services spanning AI, data science, software development, and cloud infrastructure.

The program was a turning point in my leadership journey. Spending nearly two months fully immersed in the US business and entrepreneurial ecosystem broadened my perspective on how to scale companies responsibly and lead across cultures, expanding my global network.

Engaged in active discussions with US-based businesses and host-network contacts around partnership and service engagements, advancing toward formal contracts centering on AI strategy and MVP development.

Sheikh Hammad Amjad is a business consultant, trainer, and entrepreneur with 18+ years of experience in strategy, ESG, and Business & Human Rights. Through SHA Advisory and BizTherapist, he supports entrepreneurs and SMEs with practical advisory services, including AskSheikh, an AI-powered startup mentoring platform.

The program has been a transformative experience in my personal and professional journey. It strengthened my leadership perspective, expanded my global outlook, and helped me better understand how innovation and institutional collaboration create sustainable impact.

Coordinated with the U.S. Consulate in Karachi regarding an ideas exchange and grant application pipelines.

See Sow Kids is India's first mindful and interactive children's clothing brand, developed with the guidance of child psychologists. Through a unique range of unisex garments, the brand encourages emotional expression and mindfulness by enabling children to engage in mindful activities on their apparel.

The program gave me the opportunity to conduct an in-depth market study of the children’s sector in Norman and Oklahoma City. Through visits to over 35 retail stores and preschools, I gained insights into consumer behavior and competitors.

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Greens and Grains is a social enterprise focused on providing fiber-rich, nutritious grains directly sourced from local farmers. Through digital platforms, it delivers affordable, high-quality brown rice, supporting small-scale farmers and generating income for underprivileged rural women.

The program strengthened the growth and vision of Greens and Grains by enhancing leadership skills and global business perspectives. Exposure to American businesses and innovation ecosystems provided valuable insights into sustainable growth and branding.

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Ceylon Brewer Organic Pvt Ltd is focused on sustainable agriculture, premium Ceylon spices, innovative beverage development, and eco-friendly hotel experiences. The company is committed to creating value-added products like cinnamon, pepper, and cardamom that showcase Sri Lanka's natural heritage.

The fellowship at the University of Oklahoma was a transformative experience that strengthened my leadership skills and broadened my perspective on entrepreneurship. The experiences gained inspired me to advance my ventures in agriculture.

Established connections that facilitated valuable exchanges with professionals in the United States, providing opportunities to explore the potential of premium Ceylon spices.

Aayushi Gupta uses public art as a tool for storytelling, community engagement, and education. Her work spans large-scale murals and installations addressing sustainability, heritage, and inclusion. Having transformed over 250 walls across India, she collaborates with schools and non-profits.

The program significantly expanded my perspective on leadership and community-driven innovation. Through hands-on exposure to the U.S. nonprofit and creative sectors, I gained valuable insights into strategic partnerships, program design, and fundraising.

Building foundational relationships with professionals and organizations in the United States for potential future collaborations in public art, cultural exchange, and education.

Tejashree Chakma is a social entrepreneur from Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts and a graduate in English Literature. In 2025, she won a USD 5,000 award through the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) pitch competition for her leadership in women’s economic empowerment.

The program was a transformative experience that strengthened my leadership and deepened my understanding of social entrepreneurship. I gained valuable insights into business strategy, community engagement, and cross-cultural collaboration.

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Andro Dollar Network (PVT) LTD is the parent company behind Sri Lanka's leading English-language tech platform. SkillVerse (PVT) LTD is an education company dedicated to bridging the gap between academia and industry through corporate training and AI-readiness initiatives.

The fellowship gave me the opportunity to experience life in the United States while showcasing my skills, contributing to U.S. businesses through AI integration. I undertook client work that generated meaningful revenue and delivered significant professional growth.

Collaborated with program host Coffey and Consult LLC (Ashley Coffey), working directly with her clients on projects during and after the program, which was featured in Sri Lankan mainstream media.

SprintCode Labs is a custom MVP web application development team based in Sri Lanka, working with founders and startups across the US, UK, and Singapore. They specialize in helping early-stage founders go from an unclear idea to a real, validated product using proper MVP techniques.

The fellowship gave me real insight into how product development companies actually operate on the ground in the U.S. Conversations with hosts exposed me to how companies handle product engineering and systems thinking, making our local workflows more efficient.

Maintains strong connections with several hosts and individuals met during the program, currently engaging in ongoing web development collaborations with them.

Anatomech focuses on improved healthspan through innovation in smart wearable technology. Its core innovation mimics circulatory health, a core vital, to maintain cardiac rhythm, nutrient delivery, and clearance of lactates. The use cases lie in chronic health, sports recovery, and critical care. With a focus on user mobility, on-the-go accessibility, and data-driven insights, our products relieve symptoms, improve adherence, and enable continuous monitoring and therapy insights. Our vision is to make circulatory health a quantifiable and managed vital.

Personally, PFA helped me build lasting friendships within the cohort and workplace, giving me deeper exposure to the culture of the United States and my neighbouring countries. Professionally, the experience enabled me to understand aspects of managing customer relationships, business development and go-to-market strategies learned during my work exposure in the US. This has influenced how I approach execution and partnerships today. The fellowship has also contributed to developing new business relationships and strengthening Anatomech’s international outlook and collaboration opportunities.

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Happify EShop (Pvt.) Limited is a social-impact ecommerce marketplace dedicated to empowering artisans, women, SMEs, and skilled individuals by providing access to national and international markets. Our mission is to bridge the gap between skilled manufacturers and consumers while creating sustainable income opportunities for underprivileged communities. Through our diverse product portfolio, including handmade crafts and fashion accessories, we promote quality,  affordability, and innovation. In addition, we provide e-commerce training and digital services to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Our target audience includes conscious consumers, SMEs, artisans, entrepreneurs, and organizations seeking quality products and capacity-building opportunities.

The Professional Fellows Program was a transformative experience that significantly enhanced my leadership, professional, and entrepreneurial capabilities. Through hands-on exposure to U.S.-based organizations and interactions with experienced professionals, I gained valuable insights into e-commerce, digital marketing, business strategy, and organizational leadership. The fellowship broadened my global perspective, strengthened my professional network, and improved my ability to design and implement high-impact initiatives. These learnings have directly contributed to the growth of Happify EShop and my work in workforce development, entrepreneurship, and digital skills training, enabling me to create greater social and economic impact within my community.

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Social Innovation Academy (SIA) is a social enterprise dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, and inclusive economic development across Pakistan. We design and implement enterprise development, incubation, and acceleration programs for youth, women, startups, and underserved communities. Through strategic partnerships with government agencies, universities, development organizations, and the private sector, SIA provides business advisory, mentorship, investment readiness support, policy development, and capacity-building services. Our mission is to empower entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses that generate employment, strengthen local economies, and create lasting social impact while fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem throughout Pakistan.

The Professional Fellows Program at the University of Oklahoma significantly expanded my perspective on entrepreneurship, innovation, and international collaboration. Through direct engagement with U.S. businesses and entrepreneurial ecosystems, I gained practical insights into business incubation, leadership, ecosystem development, and cross-sector partnerships. The fellowship strengthened my ability to design impactful enterprise development programs and introduced innovative approaches that I have since incorporated into initiatives supporting startups, women entrepreneurs, and social enterprises in Pakistan. It also broadened my professional network, creating long-term relationships that continue to foster knowledge exchange, collaboration, and opportunities for sustainable economic development

During my Professional Fellows Program placement, I established valuable professional relationships with entrepreneurs, business support organizations, and ecosystem leaders such as Riata Global Institute of Social Entrepreneurship in the United States. These engagements have resulted in continued knowledge exchange on business incubation, entrepreneurship education, and innovation ecosystem development. Director of Riata Institute, Dr. Graig Watters was invited in one of the summits of Social Innovation Academy last April to talk about social entrepreneurship. The fellowship has also opened opportunities for future collaboration in startup mentoring, entrepreneurial capacity building, and institutional partnerships between Pakistan and the United States. 

The National Incubation Center (NIC) Karachi is a premier startup incubator and hub for innovation in Pakistan. Launched under a public-private partnership backed by the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT) and funded by Ignite, the center is operated by a consortium including Lucky Landmark and LMKT in partnership with Orbit Startups.  Based at NED University, NIC Karachi fosters the local entrepreneurial ecosystem by offering early-stage tech and tech-enabled startups a world-class collaborative workspace. It provides founders with access to equity-free grants, tailored 1:1 mentorship, international investor networks, and specialized innovation labs to help scale sustainable global businesses.  

The Professional Fellows Program was a turning point in my professional journey. During my placement at Cortado Ventures, I had the opportunity to see the startup ecosystem from the investor's perspective—understanding how venture capital firms evaluate founders, assess business models, and make investment decisions. Experiencing "the other side of the table" gave me a much deeper appreciation of the intersection between technology, finance & innovation and sparked a strong interest in the financial services sector. That experience ultimately led me to join Raqami Islamic Digital Bank, where I now help build the digital brand of Pakistan's first fully Shariah-compliant digital retail bank. The fellowship broadened my perspective, strengthened my leadership and strategic communication skills, and continues to influence how I connect innovation, entrepreneurship and finance to create meaningful impact.

Through the Professional Fellows Program, I built lasting relationships with entrepreneurship support organizations, innovation leaders, investors, and fellow professionals from the United States, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. These connections have become a valuable network for exchanging ideas, sharing best practices, and fostering collaboration in startup development, innovation, branding, and ecosystem building. While these relationships have not yet resulted in formal commercial partnerships, they continue to provide opportunities for knowledge exchange, mentorship, and cross-border collaboration. As an active member of the PFP alumni network, I remain committed to exploring future partnerships in entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, digital innovation, financial inclusion and initiatives that strengthen ties between Pakistan and the United States.

Deshifarmer works with smallholder farmers across Bangladesh, equipping them with climate-smart agricultural practices to build resilience against changing weather patterns and improve yields. The company creates end-to-end market linkages — connecting farmers on the backward end with direct access to quality agri-inputs, and on the forward end with buyers who offer fairer, more transparent prices. By cutting out inefficient middlemen and strengthening the value chain, Deshifarmer currently serves approximately 25,000 smallholder farmers, helping them increase both productivity and income. The mission is to make modern, sustainable agriculture and dependable market access available to farmers who have traditionally been underserved.

The Professional Fellows Program at the University of Oklahoma significantly expanded my perspective on entrepreneurship, innovation, and international collaboration. Through direct engagement with U.S. businesses and entrepreneurial ecosystems, I gained practical insights into business incubation, leadership, ecosystem development, and cross-sector partnerships. The fellowship strengthened my ability to design impactful enterprise development programs and introduced innovative approaches that I have since incorporated into initiatives supporting startups, women entrepreneurs, and social enterprises in Pakistan. It also broadened my professional network, creating long-term relationships that continue to foster knowledge exchange, collaboration, and opportunities for sustainable economic development

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I am a social entrepreneur and creative designer leading initiatives focused on empowering youth through digital skills and freelancing. Through collaborations with E-Rozgaar, I have trained over 2,000 individuals in graphic design and online business development, enabling them to generate sustainable income through global platforms like Upwork and Fiverr.

The program at the University of Oklahoma enhanced my leadership perspective, strengthened my professional network, and exposed me to global best practices. It helped me refine my training approach by incorporating structured, scalable, and impact-driven methods, boosting my confidence to expand my initiatives.

Engaged with organizations in Oklahoma, gaining insights into business development and community-driven initiatives. These interactions have influenced his approach to building sustainable training models.

Operating under "AI with Vidura," he drives applied AI engineering and education. He co-founded Trinet Innovations in 2020, scaling it to 25 employees. His practice specializes in AI safety, governance, and energy-sector applications, producing educational tools and guardrail systems that make advanced machine learning accessible.

The program at the University of Oklahoma was a turning point for my understanding of ecosystem building. Immersion in the U.S. tech community broadened my approach to scaling teams responsibly and directly informed my current work in AI safety and community growth.

Gained direct professional exposure to Oklahoma's AI ecosystem through active site engagements with organizations such as Asemio (Tulsa) and the University of Oklahoma (Norman).

The Centre of Excellence in Disaster Management (CoEDM) of the Development Management Institute at Patna endeavors to bridge the gap between academia and the professional world through policy dialogue, capacity building, and education. We adopt case-based, dialogic methods in pedagogy to connect knowledge and practice for shared growth.

My placement with the Oklahoma Farm Bureau strengthened my professional perspective on agricultural innovation and community-led development. Exposure to farmer-centric institutions and entrepreneurial rural models enhanced my understanding of resilient economies, equipping me with approaches that inform my teaching and research.

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House of Macnok Private Limited is a social enterprise based in Arunachal Pradesh, India, dedicated to reviving and promoting indigenous crafts through contemporary design. We work closely with rural women artisans, creating sustainable livelihood opportunities while preserving traditional tribal knowledge and Northeast Indian cultural heritage.

Being hosted by the Norman Firehouse Art Center under Andy Couch provided valuable insights into how community arts create social impact, preserve culture, and strengthen local economies. The exchange broadened my global network and inspired new approaches to artisan development.

Selected for the Global Entrepreneurship Consulting Project with the Price College of Business at OU. Student consultants have been working with her team to strengthen business strategy and enhance social impact.

Muhammad Sarmad Hafeez works at the intersection of entrepreneurship, innovation, and ecosystem development in Pakistan. His work focuses on strengthening startup support systems through incubators, accelerators, public sector innovation programs, and strategic partnerships. He has contributed to the design and delivery of initiatives that help early stage entrepreneurs access mentorship, capacity building, market opportunities, and investment readiness support. His primary audience includes startups, innovation driven enterprises, universities, government institutions, and ecosystem enablers. Through his leadership roles, he has worked to create pathways that connect innovators with resources, networks, and opportunities for sustainable growth and economic impact.

The PFP fellowship significantly expanded my professional perspective by exposing me to global best practices in entrepreneurship support, innovation management, and ecosystem building. Through direct engagement with U.S. organizations and professionals, I gained valuable insights into program design, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable ecosystem development. The fellowship strengthened my leadership capabilities, broadened my international network, and enhanced my ability to build meaningful partnerships across sectors. The experience has directly influenced my approach to supporting startups and innovation programs in Pakistan, enabling me to implement more effective strategies that create measurable impact for entrepreneurs and ecosystem stakeholders.

Following the fellowship, I maintained professional connections with several U.S. ecosystem stakeholders and entrepreneurship support organizations. These relationships have facilitated knowledge exchange, sharing of best practices, and exploration of collaborative opportunities related to startup incubation, innovation programming, and ecosystem development. Notably, my engagement with  GRADIENT (previously 36 Degrees North)  provided valuable insights that continue to inform my work in strengthening startup support mechanisms in Pakistan. These ongoing connections have contributed to cross border learning and have helped foster international perspectives within local innovation initiatives.

MindMap AI (mindmapai.app) is an AI-native mind mapping platform that turns ideas, documents, and conversations into clear visual maps in seconds. A U.S.-incorporated company built and operated from Sri Lanka, it serves professionals, teams, and organizations, along with researchers, educators, and students worldwide, who need to brainstorm, plan, and structure information visually. Its mission is to make structured thinking effortless and accessible to anyone, anywhere, by pairing generative AI with an intuitive mapping canvas. MindMap AI competes in global markets while running lean from Northern Sri Lanka, using foreign revenue to support skilled local employment.

The Professional Fellows Program gave me a kind of immersion I have found nowhere else. Living and working alongside fellows from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India, I learned to look past the labels of country and background and to meet each person simply as they are. What stayed with me most was generosity: hosts who welcomed me into their offices and networks, their homes and their lives, and fellows who quickly became friends. It taught me that human warmth travels far more easily across borders than we tend to believe. The program also gave me the confidence that a company built from Northern Sri Lanka can compete and belong on a global stage, a belief that continues to shape how I lead and build today.

During my placement, my host Brent Wheelbarger, who leads Kidvation Global (an initiative helping young people build confidence, courage, and character), suggested adapting MindMap AI for Kidvation's students to support brainstorming in Youth Entrepreneurship, Research and Development, and Social Activism. We turned that idea into reality, building a customized version of MindMap AI for school students in Oklahoma and across the U.S. The collaboration grew directly out of the relationships formed during the fellowship

Bhumijo is a Bangladesh-based social enterprise transforming public sanitation into inclusive urban infrastructure. We design, build, and operate technology-enabled public sanitation centres that are safe, accessible, and financially sustainable through a public-private partnership model. Operating 75 centres across hospitals, transport hubs, markets, courts, and tourist destinations, Bhumijo serves approximately 15,000 people daily. Beyond sanitation, the enterprise improves public health, gender inclusion, accessibility, and urban mobility while creating dignified employment opportunities for women. By combining innovative design, smart technology, and sustainable business models, Bhumijo is demonstrating that essential public services can be both impactful and commercially viable.

The Professional Fellows Program significantly strengthened my leadership, communication, and partnership-building skills. It provided first-hand exposure to how the U.S. public, private, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors collaborate to address complex social challenges through cross-sector partnerships. This experience broadened my understanding of building sustainable ecosystems rather than working in silos. The fellowship also enhanced my strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, and ability to communicate Bhumijo's vision to diverse audiences. The global network of mentors and fellows continues to be a valuable source of learning and collaboration, helping me scale Bhumijo's impact while advancing innovative, financially sustainable solutions for public health, urban development, and gender inclusion.

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Tech Alphalogix (TAL) is an award-winning technology and digital transformation company based in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Founded with the vision of connecting underserved regions to the global digital economy, TAL delivers cloud solutions, software development, AI-enabled products, digital transformation consulting, and workforce development programs for public, private, and development sector organizations.

The Professional Fellowship Program at the University of Oklahoma significantly expanded my perspective on leadership, innovation, and community-driven economic development. The fellowship reinforced the importance of building strong cross-sector partnerships and creating technology solutions that generate measurable social impact.

The Professional Fellows Program established valuable relationships with U.S. professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovation leaders that continue beyond the fellowship. These connections have strengthened knowledge exchange in digital transformation, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and emerging technologies.

Turtle Venture Studio (TVS) is a pre-seed venture studio focused on fintech innovation across South and Southeast Asia. Headquartered in Singapore and Dhaka and incorporated in Delaware, TVS provides hands-on operational support — from product development to go-to-market strategy — to early-stage fintech startups. Our flagship Fund-01 targets a $5M raise, with a strong early track record reflected in a 6.27× average MOIC across our Cohort-01 portfolio companies. TVS bridges global institutional standards with deep local market intelligence to unlock financial access for underserved populations across emerging markets.

The Professional Fellows Program came at a pivotal moment in my entrepreneurial journey. It deepened my understanding of how institutional networks, cross-border relationships, and structured knowledge exchange can accelerate impact — particularly for founders building in emerging markets. The fellowship sharpened my thinking on strategic communication and stakeholder engagement, both of which have been central to TVS's fundraising and portfolio-building work since. Most importantly, it connected me with peers and mentors whose perspectives continue to inform how I approach leadership, partnership, and long-term value creation.

The PFP fellowship meaningfully accelerated our U.S. market engagement. Turtle Venture Studio is incorporated in Delaware and holds its VC license in the United States, reflecting our commitment to operating at global institutional standards. We are actively working with several U.S.-based Limited Partners as part of our Fund-01 fundraise, building lasting cross-border investment relationships. Additionally, select portfolio companies from our Cohort-01 have begun expanding into the U.S. market, creating tangible business linkages between South/Southeast Asia and the American entrepreneurial ecosystem.

ACT (Act–Challenge–Transform) is a creative social enterprise that harnesses the power of performing arts, visual storytelling, documentary filmmaking, and innovative communication to inspire positive social change. Through theatre, documentaries, animations, digital campaigns, and community engagement, ACT addresses critical issues including gender equality, mental health, disability inclusion, human rights, environmental sustainability, and youth empowerment. By blending artistic creativity with evidence-based social development approaches, ACT collaborates with governments, international organizations, and communities to create meaningful dialogue, influence behaviour change, and strengthen inclusive development across Sri Lanka and beyond.

The Professional Fellows Program significantly strengthened my leadership, communication, and social innovation skills. It expanded my understanding of international development, cross-cultural collaboration, and creative leadership while connecting me with an inspiring network of professionals from around the world. Since completing the fellowship, I have applied these experiences to develop behaviour change communication strategies, documentary productions, community theatre initiatives, and knowledge management products for international development projects. The fellowship continues to influence my work by encouraging innovative partnerships and people-centred approaches to solving complex social challenges.

The Professional Fellows Program created valuable professional relationships with organizations and leaders in the United States that continue to inspire my work. The experience enhanced my international collaboration skills and strengthened my capacity to develop innovative social impact projects. Since the fellowship, I have continued collaborating with international development partners while integrating global best practices into projects focused on gender equality, behaviour change communication, documentary storytelling, and community development. I look forward to expanding future partnerships between Sri Lanka and the United States through creative social innovation and knowledge exchange.

Heavy Metal T-Shirt, established in 2013, is one of Bangladesh’s leading music merchandise companies, operating through 26 retail outlets nationwide. We have partnered with more than 100 bands, including the country’s most prominent artists and emerging underground acts. Our expertise spans merchandise design, product planning, manufacturing, marketing, distribution, music promotion, event promotion, and fan engagement. Driven by a passion for local music and culture, our mission is to support artists through high-quality official merchandise, set new industry standards, and build a sustainable merchandise ecosystem that strengthens the connection between bands and fans while contributing to the growth of Bangladesh’s music industry.

Participating in the PFP in Spring 2024 was a transformative experience that expanded my vision for Bangladesh’s music industry. Hosted through a collaboration between Oklahoma University and the University of Central Oklahoma, the fellowship offered invaluable exposure to the U.S. music ecosystem, including artist development, entertainment law, funding mechanisms, audience engagement, and industry best practices. It also allowed me to build lasting professional connections with musicians, educators, and industry leaders. The experience strengthened my leadership, inspired new ideas, and reinforced my commitment to promoting local music through innovation, collaboration, and sustainable industry development.

During the Professional Fellows Program, I had the privilege of collaborating with Patrick and Christina, Grammy-nominated music producers, gaining valuable insights into music production, artist development, and the U.S. music industry. I also met with the manager of The Flaming Lips, where I learned about artist management, touring, merchandising, and long-term career development. These experiences expanded my professional network and provided valuable industry perspectives that continue to influence my work in promoting Bangladesh’s independent music ecosystem.

Brinta Jute Handicrafts is a family-owned social enterprise in Bangladesh, founded and managed by a mother-daughter team from the Manipuri community. The business serves both local and international markets, working with banks, NGOs, and export partners. We chose jute as our main material because it is eco-friendly, biodegradable, and sustainable. Brinta jute provides training and employment opportunities to nearly 300 disadvantaged women, helping them build skills and create quality handmade products. Our goal is not only to build a successful business but also to uplift our community and contribute to a healthier, greener planet.

The Professional Fellows Exchange Program broadened my perspective on social entrepreneurship and strengthened my leadership skills. Through cultural exchange, professional placements, and networking opportunities, I gained new ideas on sustainable business practices, community engagement, and women's economic empowerment. The experience inspired me to apply innovative approaches to grow Brinta Jute Handicrafts and create greater opportunities for disadvantaged women in Bangladesh. It also helped me build meaningful international connections and increased my confidence as a social entrepreneur. The program reinforced my belief that businesses can be a powerful tool for creating positive social and environmental change.

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SOQO is redefining what women wear every day. In a market still built on disposables, we make leakproof underwear designed for ordinary days — engineered, not sourced. At its centre is DripProof™, a gusset we developed in-house: four bonded layers, independently lab-tested, that quietly do what women have long been told to manage with something disposable. We introduced this category to India in 2021 and returned in 2026 with a clearer conviction. SOQO is incubated at IIM Ahmedabad's CIIE.CO and backed by the Startup India Seed Fund. Today, it ships direct to women across India who simply want the everyday to feel effortles

The fellowship arrived at the right moment and asked the right questions. At Gaylord College I learned to speak clearly about things—a rarer skill than it sounds, and central to everything SOQO now does. But the deeper gift was company: a room of people solving problems nothing like mine, which is precisely why they changed how I saw my own. I came home and rebuilt the company from the ground up — new brand, new messaging, new go-to-market. What the program taught me about system simplicity now shapes how I run and scale. 

The fellowship opened a door to how founders who build — patiently, yet out loud — and I have carried that insight home. SOQO is beginning to move beyond India; the first international shipments have already left for the UAE. What I am looking for now are the right people, not simply more partners: mentors and collaborators in the United States who understand that women's health is not a niche but an oversight the world is finally correcting. I intend to build those relationships deliberately, and to keep the exchange between Indian and American founders open in both directions.

Foster Learning (fosterlearning.org.pk) is an ed-tech and experiential educational organization dedicated to transforming Pakistan’s academic landscape by fostering entrepreneurship, future-ready skills, and leadership from an early age. Our primary target audience ranges from young children to youth and women seeking economic empowerment. Through our landmark project, Foster Learning School, we bridge the gap between traditional rote learning and real-world application. Our mission is to empower the next generation to become ethical, self-reliant business leaders and innovators who can proactively solve local and global challenges through hands-on, community-centric education.

The PFP fellowship in Oklahoma was a life-changing catalyst that forced me to think outside the box and entirely re-imagine my approach to education. Participating in the CMF Camp provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness cutting-edge, experiential learning models firsthand. This profound exposure gave me the confidence and strategic vision to scale our mission back home. By pushing me past conventional boundaries, the fellowship directly inspired my brain child—the Foster Learning School—equipping me with the cross-cultural leadership skills necessary to co-create an internationally certified institute that integrates futuristic trades with core character building.

Following my Oklahoma placement, I maintained a close professional relationship with my host, Marla Esser Cloos of Green Home Coach. This sustained connection evolved into an incredible international collaboration to launch the Foster Learning School and its unique Wonders Lab (www.fosterlearningschool.com). Registered with Oklahoma State to deliver certified, international-level education, the school introduces children as young as age 3 to 12 futuristic trades. This groundbreaking facility is the first of its capacity in Pakistan to offer hands-on stations in robotics, coding, and hydroponics alongside disciplined physical training like horse riding, swimming, and real-time industrial field visits. Our official launch successfully engaged the U.S. Embassy and Consulate General Lahore, alongside the Pakistan Education Foundation, the Ministry of Education (Punjab), and the School of Advancement at LUMS

Torchit is an award-winning social-tech enterprise making assistive technology affordable and accessible. They develop solutions for individuals with visual, hearing, mobility, and intellectual disabilities. Through AI reading tools, smart mobility aids, and inclusive education programs, Torchit has impacted over two million lives across 40 countries, partnering with governments, corporations, and NGOs to foster independence.

The fellowship was a transformative experience that expanded my perspective on leadership and global collaboration. It provided opportunities to learn from inspiring organizations, exchange ideas with global changemakers, and study sustainable impact strategies. The program helped me become a more effective leader, contributing directly to Torchit’s vision.

Fostered valuable relationships with innovation and inclusion leaders. These connections continue to support knowledge exchange, best-practice sharing, and global impact expansion for assistive technology.

Artisan Miris Pvt Ltd, operating as Miris by Islandmom, was launched in 2020 as Sri Lanka’s first dedicated hot sauce brand. Miris showcases Sri Lanka as a destination for world-class chili condiments alongside its renowned tea and spices. Inspired by the resilience of mothers, the brand celebrates clean, natural, local ingredients.

The program taught me kindness, empathy, and the strength found in diversity. Learning from fellow entrepreneurs gave me the confidence to pursue my vision. I am deeply grateful to Jeff and Elanie for including me when I was seven months pregnant, seeing courage where others saw barriers.

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TEN’s 360 is a digital marketing, branding, and growth agency helping businesses build stronger online presences and create measurable marketing systems. The agency works across social media marketing, media buying, content production, and merchandise branding. TEN’s 360 serves startups, SMEs, educational institutions, and development programs needing data-driven execution.

The program expanded my perspective on leadership and entrepreneurship. Through my placement with Freestyle Creative in Oklahoma City, I gained valuable insights into U.S. agency operations and client management. Later, I served as Director of Branding and Media for the Professional Fellows Alumni Summit 2025 in Sri Lanka.

Maintained a strong professional relationship with his host organization, Freestyle Creative. Held follow-up discussions on digital marketing, branding strategies, and sharing insights between the U.S. and Bangladeshi markets.

Auteurs’ Diaries is a Sri Lankan social impact media organization dedicated to advancing democracy, peace, gender equality, and social justice through the power of storytelling. We empower journalists, filmmakers, youth activists, and civil society organizations with the skills to create compelling multimedia stories that amplify marginalized voices and address critical social issues. Through hands-on training, mentorship, and strategic communication support, we promote ethical, conflict-sensitive, and gender-responsive storytelling. Our work fosters informed public dialogue, strengthens civic engagement, and inspires positive social change by transforming lived experiences into impactful narratives.

The Professional Fellows Program significantly expanded my leadership perspective and strengthened my approach to using media as a tool for social impact. Through exchanges with U.S. organizations and professionals, I gained valuable insights into nonprofit management, strategic communications, and community engagement. The fellowship inspired new approaches to training, storytelling, and organizational growth, many of which have since been integrated into Auteurs' Diaries' programs. In recognition of this continued impact, I was honored to receive the 2024 Alumni Innovation Award, which supported the expansion of my storytelling initiatives. The program also broadened my international network, creating lasting collaborations and reinforcing my commitment to promoting democracy, inclusion, peacebuilding, and human rights through creative storytelling.

Following the fellowship, I have maintained professional connections with U.S.-based organizations and exchange alumni, sharing knowledge and exploring opportunities for collaboration in media development, storytelling, and social impact initiatives.

At Alengko Foundation, they believe kindness has the power to transform lives. Alengko is a Sri Lankan nonprofit committed to creating lasting change in underserved rural communities through compassionate, sustainable, and community-led development. Their work spans emergency relief, education, clean water, livelihood development, environmental conservation, and humanitarian initiatives, empowering individuals and communities to move beyond survival toward resilience, opportunity, and a brighter future; across Sri Lanka, selected regions in Asia and now expanding to Africa as well. 

Tahira Sheriff is a Professional Fellow of the U.S. Department of State's Professional Fellowship Program at Gaylord College, University of Oklahoma. Her placement with Tulsa Area United Way became a defining chapter in her leadership journey, deepening her understanding of compassionate leadership, collaboration, and sustainable community impact. Beyond the invaluable professional experience, she formed lifelong friendships and meaningful global connections that continue to enrich her life and inspire the work of the Alengko Foundation.

Following the U.S. Department of State's Professional Fellowship Program, Tahira was selected to serve on the organizing committee for the 2025 Professional Fellowship Program Alumni Summitin Sri Lanka, collaborating with fellow alumni and U.S. partners to strengthen the alumni network. The experience further deepened her relationship with the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka, opening opportunities to collaborate on capacity-building initiatives and leadership development. Combined with the mentorship and global network she gained through the fellowship, these experiences have strengthened her ability to build meaningful international partnerships that continue to support the growth and impact of the Alengko Foundation.

Battery Low Interactive is Bangladesh's pioneering interactive and XR company, building games, augmented and virtual reality, and serious educational software for private companies, government bodies and UN agencies. Over the past decade the studio has delivered 300+ paid solutions for 250+ clients and given half a million children their first experience of immersive technology. Alongside it, Fahme is building a portfolio of lean AI ventures — including FeedBoss AI, a professional-growth assistant, and Boon, a consumer product built on large language models. The throughline is the same: making advanced, creative technology accessible to people and markets that have historically been left outside it.

The Professional Fellows Program reshaped how I see my own role — from running a company to building bridges. One moment captures it: invited to judge a children's game-pitch competition in Oklahoma, I watched the losing teams' faces fall and pledged on the spot that my company would sponsor one of them. My team in Dhaka then spent months helping American elementary-school kids turn their idea into a real, commercially published board game. That instinct — to back talent across borders and see it through — is what the fellowship sharpened in me, and it has driven everything since, from founding IGDA Bangladesh to leading an 8,500-member alumni network.

My most tangible outcome came through Kidvation Global, a U.S. youth-entrepreneurship venture co-founded by my PFP counterpart Brent Wheelbarger. After I sponsored a team of American elementary-school students from a game-pitch competition, my company Battery Low Interactive worked with them for several months to design and produce a real board game, "Battle for the World," now sold on Kidvation's global marketplace. The fellowship also seeded an ongoing collaboration with Dr. Elanie Steyn and Gaylord College, where I am a named collaborator on exchange-program initiatives she is leading. Building on this network, I co-organized the PFP Alumni Summit in Colombo — convening 100+ fellows, American entrepreneurs and diplomats from six countries — and I continue to host visiting American entrepreneurs in Dhaka each year.

Natasha leads two mission-driven ventures. She Deserves Care (SDC) is Pakistan's first community-led endometriosis awareness and support initiative, working to shorten the years-long delay women face before diagnosis. SDC tackles this across five fronts: raising public awareness, building a peer support community of women across the world especially South Asia, training gynaecologists, equipping patients to advocate for themselves, and pushing for policy change. At its center, SDC is building a digital health platform that takes a woman from "something is wrong" to a diagnosis, the right specialist, and a community behind her, faster than any tool available today. While rooted in Pakistan, SDC is expanding to connect with doctors and patients globally, deepening its knowledge base and bringing world-class endometriosis expertise back to the women who need it most at home. 

The Professional Fellows Program was a turning point in Natasha's journey as a founder and leader. Being placed in a US institution alongside fellow South Asian entrepreneurs expanded her understanding of how mission-driven ventures can drive lasting systemic change and gave her the confidence to build SDC and cofound Makeistan with real reach and ambition. The exposure to US mentors and a community of changemakers from across South Asia sharpened her strategic thinking and connected her with the right network of people to develop both ventures. That network continues to inform how she leads, partners, and grows her work across health and education.

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Ahsan Zia was selected to participate in the program as a representative of the development and NGO sector. He currently serves as a National Program Officer (Livelihoods) with the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM), where he is responsible for designing and implementing livelihood interventions across Pakistan for vulnerable and displaced communities. While he does not own or operate a business, his professional work centers on sustainable development, economic empowerment, and community resilience initiatives.

 The five-week Professional Fellowship, funded by the U.S. Department of State, provided valuable exposure to how businesses, organizations, and institutions operate in the United States. I gained practical knowledge of workplace practices, innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership, and collaboration between public and private sectors. The program also enabled me to build a strong professional network with U.S. professionals, business leaders, institutions, and fellow participants, creating opportunities for future collaboration and knowledge exchange. Additionally, experiencing American culture, values, diversity, and community engagement broadened my global perspective. Overall, the fellowship strengthened my professional skills and inspired me to apply these learnings in my community.

I developed a collaboration with Tri-County Technical College and facilitated an online nursing workshop featuring a Pakistani female doctor. The workshop focused on Islamic practices in nursing and the importance of respecting patients’ cultural and religious beliefs. This initiative created a meaningful platform for knowledge exchange between Pakistani and U.S. professionals and promoted greater awareness of culturally sensitive healthcare practices. The collaboration demonstrated how the professional relationships developed during the fellowship can lead to practical initiatives, strengthen cross-cultural understanding, and create lasting connections between institutions and professionals in the United States and Pakistan.

Jagruti Bista is an entrepreneur and innovation ecosystem leader with over eight years of experience designing and managing startup acceleration, incubation, and entrepreneurship programs across Africa, Asia, and other Global South markets. She is the Co-Founder of Hindsight Ventures and Managing Director – Programs at Startup Réseau, where she partners with governments, corporates, development agencies, universities, and investors to build high-impact innovation ecosystems. Jagruti has led programs supporting hundreds of startups, mobilizing mentors and ecosystem partners, and delivering founder development initiatives. Her expertise spans accelerator design, ecosystem strategy, capacity building, partnership development, and innovation program management.

My participation in the U.S. Professional Fellows Program led to my first visit to the United States and provided an invaluable experiential learning opportunity. As someone who has spent the past eight years working in the startup ecosystems across India and Africa, the program gave me firsthand exposure to the U.S. innovation ecosystem, enabling me to benchmark global best practices and apply these insights to my work. It also expanded my professional network, creating opportunities for cross-border collaboration and knowledge sharing with stakeholders across India and Africa. Additionally, the program strengthened my relationship with the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai, leading to continued engagement on innovation-focused initiatives.

At Startup Réseau, Jagruti has contributed to startup and innovation programs in collaboration with Visa and Merck in India. She has also partnered with the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai to support the Sports Tech Roundtable, fostering dialogue and collaboration between startups, industry leaders, and ecosystem stakeholders.

Syeda Nayab is an entrepreneur, e-commerce expert, trainer, and founder of Nayab’s Rogue and SkillBridge Pakistan. Nayab’s Rogue is a Pakistani fashion and lifestyle brand that focuses on traditional and contemporary products, while SkillBridge Pakistan works to equip individuals and entrepreneurs with practical digital, e-commerce, and business skills. Over the years, she has worked across e-commerce, digital marketing, business development, training, and brand strategy, supporting businesses in Pakistan and internationally. Her work focuses on helping businesses build their digital presence, reach new customers, and develop sustainable growth strategies.

Participating in the PFP program and traveling to the United States on July 6, 2023, was a major milestone in my personal and professional journey. The program gave me the opportunity to experience the U.S. business environment, learn from entrepreneurs and professionals, and gain a broader understanding of international business practices. It helped me become more confident, expand my professional network, and look at my own businesses from a more global perspective. The exposure also opened opportunities to work with U.S.-based companies, which strengthened my skills and contributed to the growth and development of my business after returning to Pakistan.

Following my PFP experience, I had opportunities to work with U.S.-based companies and professionals, gaining practical exposure to international business operations, digital commerce, marketing, and client management. These experiences helped me understand international customer expectations and business practices and allowed me to apply those learnings to my own businesses and consulting work in Pakistan.

Ceylon Green & Aqua is an agriculture-based startup founded with a simple idea: to make fresh, safe and sustainably grown food more accessible to urban communities. The venture combines modern agricultural technology, including aquaponics, with traditional farming practices to develop an integrated and sustainable farming model within reach of Colombo. Its focus is on producing food using responsible agricultural practices while making better use of water and other resources. The long-term vision is to expand this model into urban communities and build a network of sustainable farms that can contribute to greater food security and healthier communities. Mohamed Farizul Faraj Farook is a Co-founder of the venture.

The Professional Fellows Program was an important turning point in my professional journey. Through my experience in Oklahoma, I gained first-hand exposure to urban agriculture and farming practices and saw how different approaches to innovation, business and community development could work together. More importantly, the program changed the way I looked at management, leadership and entrepreneurship. The experience encouraged me to think beyond simply building a business and to focus more on creating sustainable value and solving real community needs. The relationships, knowledge and perspective I gained through the program have continued to influence my work and played a meaningful role in my evolution from entrepreneur to consultant.

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KidSpace is an early childhood education and care centre in Sri Lanka, founded with the belief that every child deserves a magical environment in which to Love, Learn, Play and Grow. KidSpace provides a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment for young children, with a strong focus on holistic development through play-based learning. Our programmes encourage children to develop their physical, social, emotional, communication, cognitive and creative skills through meaningful, hands-on experiences. At KidSpace, we strive to create an inclusive environment where every child is valued, supported and encouraged to discover their unique strengths and potential.

The BIPS Professional Fellows Exchange Programme was a transformative experience that went far beyond professional learning. One of the greatest impacts for me was the opportunity to build meaningful connections with people from different backgrounds and professional fields. I particularly valued the opportunity to work alongside a hands-on team at Discovery Lab, where I was able to observe, participate and learn through real experiences. Looking back, I often say that the programme was “not what I wanted, but exactly what I needed.” It challenged my thinking, broadened my perspective and helped me grow both personally and professionally. Most importantly, the experiences and connections I made continue to influence the way I approach my work and my journey as an educator and entrepreneur.

Maintained a strong professional relationship with his host organization, Freestyle Creative. Held follow-up discussions on digital marketing, branding strategies, and sharing insights between the U.S. and Bangladeshi markets.

Founded in 2018, Dapper Dad is a Bangladesh-based leather company specializing in bespoke shoemaking and premium leather products. The brand combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design to create high-quality, personalized footwear and leather goods. Its mission is to showcase Bangladeshi craftsmanship by producing durable, stylish, and thoughtfully designed products tailored to individual preferences. Dapper Dad focuses on quality materials, attention to detail, comfort, and timeless aesthetics rather than mass production. Its target audience includes professionals, entrepreneurs, executives, and style-conscious customers who value exclusivity, personalization, craftsmanship, and locally made products. Dapper Dad aims to establish itself as a trusted name in Bangladesh’s premium leather industry

The PFP Fellowship has been a valuable experience in strengthening my personal and professional leadership journey. It has helped me develop a broader perspective on entrepreneurship, leadership, and responsible business growth. Through the fellowship, I have gained new insights, expanded my professional network, and learned from diverse perspectives and experiences. These learnings have encouraged me to become a more confident and strategic leader in managing Dapper Dad and exploring new opportunities. The fellowship has also motivated me to think beyond business growth and focus on creating meaningful value through locally made products, supporting entrepreneurship, and contributing to the development of Bangladesh’s leather and creative industries.

Not yet. While I have not established a formal U.S. business collaboration to date, the relationships and professional connections developed through the programme have created valuable opportunities for future collaboration and knowledge exchange.

 I am on a simple mission to help small and midsize businesses to grow digital visibility, reputation and revenue through the power of the internet and AI technology. Most businesses struggle to survive against the giant corporate companies due to lack of latest technical skills, ideas and execution capabilities, my company Prothom Tech fills that gap

PFP Program made my business roadmap more clear and aligned with my mission. I was always low on communication and networking, PFP helped me massively to boost my communication skills and broaden my professional network.

 I got the opportunity to work on the digital marketing project of Artio Services and Web development project of Slate Venue which is one of the best event venue in Oklahoma state.

ukins Consulting is a Pakistan-based firm built around three core practice areas: Business Process Outsourcing, Management & Advisory Consulting, and Tech Consulting. Under these pillars, the firm delivers a wide range of projects spanning governance, public-private partnerships, social development, health, education, and digital transformation. Mukins works closely with government institutions, multilateral and bilateral donors, and private sector partners — including the World Bank, KfW, GAVI, BMZ, UNDP, and UNHCR — to design, manage, and implement large-scale, resultsoriented programs. Our clients range from public sector agencies and development organizations to corporate and institutional partners seeking dependable, on-ground execution across complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

The fellowship was a turning point for my personal and professional growth, sharpening my strategic thinking and leadership capacity. Since returning, I have led over 20 development and consulting assignments with major donors and government partners — including the World Bank, KfW, GAVI, UNHCR, and the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — spanning health, education, livelihoods, and digital governance. Notably, the KP government entrusted my organization with end-to-end operations of 15 low-enrollment public schools, now scaled into a sustainable education model. I also co-founded an eco-friendly poultry waste rendering enterprise, generating environmental and economic impact. This exposure continues to shape my approach to scalable, results-driven leadership.

I have recently collaborated with the East-West Center (Hawai'i) through my company, Mukins Pvt Ltd, forming a joint collaboration to bid on the PUAN Strategic Impact Evaluation Study, commissioned by USEFP for implementation across Pakistan. This proposal is currently in the pipeline. In parallel, I have also engaged with the Executive Committee of the East-West Center Association (EWCA) – Pakistan Chapter to help initiate impactful projects, building on the networks and relationships fostered through my fellowship. I look forward to deepening this collaboration as the JV moves from proposal to implementation.

TK Designs is a digital design agency providing design and development solutions to startups and entrepreneurs at a global scale. Our mission is to help businesses transform their ideas into meaningful, user-focused digital experiences through thoughtful design and reliable development. We specialize in UI/UX design, web and mobile app design, website development, branding, and digital product solutions. Our focus is on understanding each client’s unique needs and delivering flexible, high-quality solutions that support their business goals. We work with startups, entrepreneurs, and growing businesses worldwide looking for a dependable design and technology partner.

The Professional Fellows Program was an important milestone in my personal and professional journey. Spending time in the United States gave me valuable exposure to different business practices, leadership approaches, workplace cultures, and ways of building professional relationships. The experience helped me become more confident as a leader and broadened my perspective on how businesses can operate and collaborate internationally. It also influenced the way I lead TK Designs, communicate with global clients, and think about partnerships and long-term growth. Most importantly, the fellowship gave me a stronger international outlook and a valuable network of professionals from different backgrounds and industries.

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SRQ Robotics LLC is a U.S.-registered electronics and software design firm that builds ultra-low-power, miniature, wireless electronic systems end to end, from circuit and PCB design through firmware, sensor-fusion algorithms, mobile apps, and web dashboards. Our mission is to deliver unique solutions in software, IoT, and smart electronics that support humanitarian needs and improve quality of life. We serve hardware startups, product companies, and R&D teams across more than 20 countries, in fields spanning wearables, healthcare and fitness, robotics, agriculture, and industrial automation. We have also launched our own products, including DanceBetter (dancebetter.org), an AI dance-coaching platform used by dancers worldwide.

The Professional Fellows Program was a turning point in how I lead and scale SRQ Robotics. Although it was my fourth visit to the United States, it was the first time I came as a full-time entrepreneur. That immersion in the U.S. entrepreneurial ecosystem, alongside mentors and fellow founders, sharpened how I think about market focus, customer discovery, and building a company beyond engineering. The exposure and confidence I gained directly informed my decision to establish SRQ Robotics as a U.S. LLC in 2024, opening access to U.S. banking, payments, and clients. It also expanded my network of advisors in the U.S. technology and startup community, several of whom I still turn to for guidance as the business grows.

While the fellowship itself did not result in a direct formal partnership, the strategies I learned from my host organization were instrumental in building several partnerships in the U.S. We became a registered vendor for Johns Hopkins University and an R&D partner for several consumer electronics brands. A connection with a U.S.-based co-founder led to the launch of our own product, DanceBetter (dancebetter.org), whose user base is roughly 70% American.

SRQ Robotics LLC is a U.S.-registered electronics and software design firm that builds ultra-low-power, miniature, wireless electronic systems end to end, from circuit and PCB design through firmware, sensor-fusion algorithms, mobile apps, and web dashboards. Our mission is to deliver unique solutions in software, IoT, and smart electronics that support humanitarian needs and improve quality of life. We serve hardware startups, product companies, and R&D teams across more than 20 countries, in fields spanning wearables, healthcare and fitness, robotics, agriculture, and industrial automation. We have also launched our own products, including DanceBetter (dancebetter.org), an AI dance-coaching platform used by dancers worldwide.

The Professional Fellows Program was a turning point in how I lead and scale SRQ Robotics. Although it was my fourth visit to the United States, it was the first time I came as a full-time entrepreneur. That immersion in the U.S. entrepreneurial ecosystem, alongside mentors and fellow founders, sharpened how I think about market focus, customer discovery, and building a company beyond engineering. The exposure and confidence I gained directly informed my decision to establish SRQ Robotics as a U.S. LLC in 2024, opening access to U.S. banking, payments, and clients. It also expanded my network of advisors in the U.S. technology and startup community, several of whom I still turn to for guidance as the business grows.

While the fellowship itself did not result in a direct formal partnership, the strategies I learned from my host organization were instrumental in building several partnerships in the U.S. We became a registered vendor for Johns Hopkins University and an R&D partner for several consumer electronics brands. A connection with a U.S.-based co-founder led to the launch of our own product, DanceBetter (dancebetter.org), whose user base is roughly 70% American.

After the fellowship, I co-founded Startup Syndicate, Pakistan's first founder-led startup enablement platform, working directly with founders, corporates, and incubators to design and deliver new generation accelerator programs, advisory engagements, and structured growth support. 

Alongside this, I co-founded Qaflah, an AI-native operating system for founders and institutions across the Emerging Markets, offering fundraising infrastructure, investor matching, KPI tracking, and an AI-powered boardroom tool. 

Both ventures share a single goal: closing the gap between founder-dense, capital-scarce markets like Pakistan and the capital availability that exists elsewhere. Our institutional clients include universities, corporate investment arms, and regional incubators looking to build serious startup pipelines

The PFP fellowship gave me something I couldn't get from books or conferences: a firsthand look at how US institutions structure mentorship, capital access, and founder support at scale. I brought pieces of that back into how Startup Syndicate designs its programs and how Qaflah is built for institutional buyers, not just founders chasing subscriptions. It also gave me a peer network across sectors and countries that I still draw on when I'm solving problems for founders in Karachi, Dhaka, and across the emerging markets. The fellowship didn't just add a credential. It changed how I think about building infrastructure for entrepreneurs across MENASA.

My placement was with Citizens Bank of Edmond, and I've stayed connected to their work since returning to Pakistan. I follow their initiatives closely and have exchanged comments with CEO Jill Castilla on LinkedIn, including a conversation about Vault 405, their downtown coworking space. During my placement, I visited Vault 405 and learned about RISE (Retail Incubation for Shopkeeper Experience), a program where the bank gives free retail space next to their building to SBA loan applicants running online-only businesses, so they can test physical retail before committing to it. I studied their SBA lending model as a case reference and still cite RISE as an example of how a bank can build small business support beyond financing alone

Airwork (airwork.ai) is an AI-native recruiting platform that helps companies hire vetted tech talent from emerging markets. We maintain a talent network of 17,000+ tech professionals from 30 countries and have served 400+ clients across 15 countries through our all-in-one recruiting platform. Our primary customers are startups, recruiting agencies, and RPO firms with recurring hiring needs. Airwork has raised $310K from international investors and operates profitably. The long-term vision is a Talent API, infrastructure that lets any company in the world hire and deploy world-class talent from anywhere.

The Professional Fellows Program gave me my first extended, working exposure to US business culture, not as a visitor but as a participant. Airwork's US entity existed before the fellowship, but the program changed how seriously I treated it. I came back convinced the US market had to be the number one market rather than one market among many, and our operations have shifted in that direction since. The network mattered as much as the placement. The fellows in my cohort remain active collaborators and sounding boards, and several of the ideas I stress-test today still go through people I met in that program.

My placement didn't produce a formal ongoing collaboration, but the US has become Airwork's primary market since the fellowship. US companies now make up the core of our client base, and our investor base reflects the same shift. The relationships and market understanding I built through the program shaped how we made that shift.

I am the founder and operator of Cricfrenzy, an ICC-accredited digital cricket media platform serving a global audience of sports fans. Cricfrenzy delivers real-time cricket news, match coverage, analysis, social media content, and fan engagement initiatives across multiple digital platforms. With approximately 1 billion monthly page views across our digital ecosystem, we have established ourselves as one of the leading digital cricket media brands worldwide. I am also the founder of Football Circuit, a growing football media platform dedicated to delivering engaging football content to fans around the world. Our mission is to make sports content more accessible, engaging, and community-driven while building meaningful partnerships across the global sports industry.

The Professional Fellows Program significantly broadened my perspective on leadership, entrepreneurship, and international collaboration. Through engagement with professionals, businesses, and mentors in the United States, I gained valuable insights into innovation, organizational development, and sustainable business growth strategies. The fellowship strengthened my leadership skills and inspired new approaches to scaling my media businesses and pursuing international partnerships. The relationships and experiences developed during the program continue to influence my professional journey and reinforce the importance of global collaboration in building impactful and sustainable ventures.

Following the fellowship, I have continued to engage with fellow participants and alumni from the program, developing valuable professional relationships across multiple countries and industries. These connections have led to collaborative discussions, the exchange of ideas, and the exploration of joint projects that align with our respective businesses and areas of expertise. The fellowship created a strong foundation for international networking and cross-border collaboration, enabling us to identify opportunities for partnership, innovation, and mutual growth that continue to evolve beyond the program experience.

At Social Footprint, we have combined strategic social impact advisory and implementation with robust and cost-effective filmmaking for all our clients - banks, corporates, foundations, and non-profits - to effectively create and illustrate their impact on lives of people. We specialise in CSR consulting (corporate social responsibility, a mandate by Govt of India) and storytelling for our CSR and NGO partners.

The program allowed me to observe a non-profit closely in Oklahoma and helped me ideate on how socially conscious businesses can operate; essentially how a business can create impact on lives of people and be self-sustainable. The program also helped me create lifelong relationships and friends wherein today I have collaborated and worked with people from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the US. It provided me great exposure to small businesses and how they operate with efficiency while scaling.

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Rapido Deliveries is a technology-enabled last-mile logistics company founded to make commerce more accessible for businesses across Bangladesh. Built with a B2B-first model, Rapido developed a nationwide delivery network operating across all 64 districts and served more than 4,000 merchants, from small entrepreneurs to growing e-commerce businesses. Beyond delivery, the company focused on solving operational challenges through technology, data, and scalable logistics systems that helped businesses reach customers more efficiently. Rapido’s mission has always been to empower entrepreneurs and SMEs by providing reliable, affordable, and technology-driven logistics infrastructure that supports business growth and digital commerce.

The Professional Fellows Program was a defining milestone in my leadership journey. It expanded my perspective from building a successful company to understanding how entrepreneurship ecosystems, public institutions and private organizations collaborate to drive economic development. Through the fellowship, I connected with founders, policymakers and community leaders across the United States, gaining practical insights into innovation, partnerships and ecosystem building. The experience continues to shape my work today—from pursuing advanced studies in Sweden to building ventures and seeking opportunities that strengthen entrepreneurship, international collaboration and inclusive economic growth across different markets and communities.

Following my Professional Fellows Program placement in Oklahoma, I maintained a professional relationship with my host, Jeff Mancini, President of Ship Premier Logistics. Mr. Mancini subsequently visited Bangladesh, where we explored opportunities for continued commercial collaboration. I supported the sourcing and export of locally made sustainable products to Oklahoma for the annual logistics conference, connected him with sought-after jewellery produced by local artisans and provided logistical and business development solutions on his behalf. These activities extended the fellowship beyond the exchange itself, creating practical connections between Bangladeshi entrepreneurs and the U.S. business community while opening avenues for cross-border trade and collaboration.

SPC Publication Studios is a responsible editorial and publication firm that I founded in 2015. We help organizations turn complex information into publications that people can actually understand, engage with and remember. Our work covers annual reports, sustainability and ESG reports, impact publications, company profiles, magazines and supporting launch events. We combine subject-matter research, storytelling, responsible design and reporting standards such as GRI to create publications that are both useful and visually strong. Over the years, SPC has delivered 1,200+ projects and worked with hundreds of local and global clients across the corporate, development and nonprofit sectors.

The Professional Fellows Program gave me my first extended, working exposure to US business culture, not as a visitor but as a participant. Airwork's US entity existed before the fellowship, but the program changed how seriously I treated it. I came back convinced the US market had to be the number one market rather than one market among many, and our operations have shifted in that direction since. The network mattered as much as the placement. The fellows in my cohort remain active collaborators and sounding boards, and several of the ideas I stress-test today still go through people I met in that program.

The PFP fellowship gave me something that would otherwise have been very difficult to find: a network of amazing individuals from completely different backgrounds, businesses and parts of the world. The experience also gave me the space to rediscover myself, my passions and how I wanted to see the world. Seeing firsthand how U.S. organizations approached business helped sharpen my own business vision and made me focus more clearly on what matters most. More importantly, the program helped me become a better leader, with greater empathy, patience and ambition. Program leaders such as Elanie, Kathy and Armand showed us that through their own example.

I work across three interconnected ventures at the intersection of AI and social impact. Vruksh Ecosystem Foundation builds entrepreneurial ecosystems across India, supporting founders with mentorship, networks, and market access. Ekatra is an AI microlearning platform, backed by Deloitte US and UNHCR to deliver skills training in low-connectivity and refugee contexts. At Si Labs, I serve as Chief of Technology & Alliances, working on SAGE — a federated impact data intelligence platform connecting social-sector organizations globally. Together these ventures target underserved communities across the Global South.

The PFP at the University of Oklahoma lent real credibility to my work and opened new doors. The enhanced profile brought coverage in SPAN magazine and Mid-Day, one of India's largest print outlets, and I was selected for the Startup Nexus program run by the US Consulate in India. The program sharpened my understanding of American business practices, directly informing how we now support entrepreneurs. I have built lasting relationships that have helped in several aspects of my work, from getting the right advice to opening new doors. I'm keen to kickstart some projects in Oklahoma through my ventures. I'm currently exploring active business synergies with partners in Oklahoma.

I'm actively engaging with several organizations in the US currently, more prominently with Amazon Web Services, through their CTO Fellows program that I'm a part of.

Yarl IT Hub is a community-driven nonprofit working to transform Northern Sri Lanka into a thriving hub for technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. It expands access to technology education, nurtures local talent, and supports people in turning ideas into practical solutions and sustainable businesses. Its programs serve school students, young adults, aspiring entrepreneurs, and women business owners through hands-on learning, mentorship, startup support, and community collaboration. Connecting grassroots talent with industry expertise and wider networks, Yarl IT Hub helps communities participate in the digital economy. Its mission centers on creating opportunities for people to learn, build, and shape their region’s future.

The Professional Fellows Program broadened my perspective and strengthened my confidence as a professional and community contributor. Through the fellowship, I built valuable connections with peers and professionals across the United States, India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh, creating opportunities for shared learning and future collaboration. Engaging with people from different backgrounds helped me reflect on my own strengths, communicate across cultures, and approach leadership with greater openness. Personally, the experience encouraged independence, self-awareness, and a stronger sense of purpose. Professionally, it inspired me to bring a more collaborative, globally informed approach to supporting education and innovation through Yarl IT Hub.

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Encyte is a Sri Lankan technology company specializing in custom software development, web and mobile applications, and digital solutions for businesses and organizations. Founded in 2013, Encyte works with clients in Sri Lanka and international markets to solve business challenges through practical, well-designed technology. Our work ranges from corporate websites and digital platforms to custom enterprise systems and Fieldsmart CMMS, our cloud-based maintenance management solution. We focus on building long-term client relationships and delivering solutions that combine strong technical capability with a clear understanding of each client’s operational and commercial objectives. Our target audience includes growing businesses, corporates, NGOs, and service organizations.

The Professional Fellows Program had a significant impact on how I lead and manage my business. One of the biggest changes was learning to step away from being involved in every aspect of day-to-day operations. I expanded my team and delegated more responsibility, freeing up my time to focus on business growth and strategic opportunities. The program also strengthened my networking and presentation skills, giving me greater confidence in introducing myself and my business, which has opened many doors over the years. I also introduced more structured processes into the business, helping us streamline operations and work more efficiently as an organization.

No formal U.S. business collaborations were finalized, although a number of potential opportunities and partnerships were explored during and following the fellowship.

Spacenos is a New Jersey and Bengaluru-based product and strategy studio building AI-native products end-to-end — from early idea through design, engineering, and go-to-market. Rather than stopping at strategy decks, the team ships working software. The portfolio spans both consumer and enterprise: AI platforms, a hyperlocal-first astrology app, developer tooling, and construction-procurement software. Spacenos pairs fast product execution with sharp positioning, helping early-stage founders and enterprises modernizing with AI turn AI capability into products people actually use daily.

The Professional Fellows Program was a turning point. Beyond the placement, the U.S. exposure and network reshaped how I approach markets and scale — I returned building with a sharper sense of what global customers value. Within six months, I applied that thinking to grow a venture to $1M in revenue. More durably, PFP shifted how I lead from project ideas to product from local to global-first thinking. The relationships and perspective from the fellowship continue to shape how I build. In turn I have helped generate more than 80 work from home jobs for women who had discontinued their jobs due to family pressure.

My placement didn't produce a formal ongoing collaboration, but the US has become Airwork's primary market since the fellowship. US companies now make up the core of our client base, and our investor base reflects the same shift. The relationships and market understanding I built through the program shaped how we made that shift.

Enablers is an AI-native engineering company. It is registered in the U.S., has offices in the UAE and Pakistan, and has its engineering team in Islamabad. We build and run our own platforms for telecom operators, enterprises, and governments. These include Performio NET-I and AUNO for network performance and optimization, Manara for sovereign AI inference, Bayan for agentic contract and document management, and LYRS for AI-native commerce. Our platforms are deployed with operators in Pakistan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kenya, and Malawi. We serve telcos, public sector bodies, and enterprises across emerging markets, and we help them adopt AI that is governed, sovereign, and built to scale.

My placement in Tulsa with The Mayo Hotel and Promise Hotels showed me how American businesses, city institutions, and communities work together. I saw local leaders use technology and partnerships to serve residents and help the local economy grow. That experience changed my view of public sector technology. Today Enablers works directly with government and county partners, and we build tools that serve communities as well as enterprises. The fellowship also made me a more confident leader across cultures and borders. It taught me that lasting impact starts with trust, and building that trust is now central to how I lead and grow our business.

Through relationships built after my fellowship, Enablers became the technology partner to the Vernonburg Group on the Montgomery County, New York Trail and Public Safety Connectivity Study. We built and launched the county's broadband mapping app on Android and iOS. Residents use it to report connectivity gaps along trails and in public safety areas. Enablers has since set up Enablers Inc. in Mountain View, California, to grow its work with U.S. partners.

Celebrity Soul is a Pakistan-based media and production company founded by Zeeshan Khan in 2019, working across filmmaking, advertising, documentary production, branded storytelling, travel films, corporate videos, and digital content. The company combines cinematic storytelling with emerging technologies, including AI filmmaking, drone cinematography, visual effects, and modern post-production. Celebrity Soul works with businesses, development organizations, brands, and institutions that need meaningful visual communication rather than conventional promotional content. Its work aims to tell authentic human stories while connecting brands, communities, culture, and causes with wider audiences through film and digital media.

The PFP fellowship significantly broadened Zeeshan’s professional and personal perspective. The experience exposed him to the U.S. media and filmmaking ecosystem while giving him opportunities to engage with professionals, institutions, and fellows from around the world. Speaking in Washington, D.C., before approximately 140 fellows representing more than 40 countries strengthened his confidence in communicating his ideas on an international platform. His exposure to the Oklahoma film community and the production environment of Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon also deepened his understanding of professional filmmaking. The fellowship encouraged him to pursue larger, internationally relevant documentary and storytelling projects while bringing those experiences back to Pakistan.

During his 2022 Professional Fellows Program experience, Zeeshan developed professional connections within the U.S. film and media ecosystem. His experience included engagement with the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma’s filmmaking community, and the production environment of Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. He also connected with an international network of approximately 140 fellows representing more than 40 countries and participated in professional and cultural exchanges in Washington, D.C. These experiences expanded his international network, strengthened his understanding of the U.S. creative industry, and continue to inform his approach to filmmaking, documentary development, and international storytelling in Pakistan.