My Learnings & Gratitudes: 2020 Reflections

We have certainly created man into hardship [90:4]

Fareeda Main Nu munj Kar Niki kar kay Kut
Bharay Khazaanay Rab dey Jo bhaway so Lutt
— Hazrat Baba Farid u Din Ganj Shakar R.A

On the morning of 1st Jan 2020 — we were celebrating being the largest Incubation service provider in Pakistan across 4 Universities— Thanks to a young amazing team at CGI for punching way above their weight. I had little idea what’s unfolding in the form of COVID—so I published my ambitious 5 years life goals😅. Although my Mentor Ahmad Ashkar said that I need to be more ambitious with my goals—yet I have little under-achieved my 2020 goals.

First things First — some important gratitudes 🙏—Huge Thanks to — Maj Gen Obaid Bin Zakria, for appointing me Director Innovation at Lahore Garrison University — making me one of the youngest University Directors in Pakistan — I guess only second to Dr. Umar Saif. Next up Getting shortlisted for CEO of Ignite National Technology Fund was a great honor. Thanks to Amir Jahangir for encouraging me to write more — that did wonders for me — including — Plan for a $500 Billion Innovation Economy. Especial thanks to my friend Mr. Rizwan Buttar, without his support — 2020 would not have been possible. Happy Birthday Rizwan Bahi 🎂

Thanks Sain Ikhtiar Ahmed Khoso for hosting us at IBA Sukkur in Jan-2020.

Loved Hult Prize event at IBA Sukkur in Jan-2020

Found a great professional friend at— Superior University — Ms Tabinda Usman. Thanks Ms. Tabinda.

25-Jan-2020: It was a great experience attending Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) NCPC at CM House Lahore. 3 CGI Startups from Lahore also participated. Brilliant work by teams of PBIT & NSpire-NETSOL.

With Mr Ayub Ghori & Sohail Sarwar

Established Pakistan’s First Social & Creative Incubation Program at NUML Islamabad & LCWU Lahore — with support from British Council DICE Fund. Our partners include Cranfield School of Management UK & Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). Development of Inclusive Economies will help Pakistan to achieve SDGs by 2030. Empowering two public sector Universities and especially LCWU (Asia’s Largest Female School) has been a great honor.

Working with LCWU (Asia’s Largest Female School) has been a great honor

Thanks to Dr. Idrees Khawaja, Dean AUSOM for inviting me to teach Entrepreneurship at Air University.

A memorable Panel Discussion: https://www.facebook.com/362580527180836/posts/2350705685034967/

Always a pleasure & delight to work with my Mentor Mr. Adnan Siddiqui, former Country GM, IBM Pakistan, and senior leader at IBM Middle East.

Thanks to all amazing Business & Govt leaders who made Startup Summer School 2020 possible. Startup Summer School 2020 was a roller coaster 🎢 ride of entrepreneurship!

Chief Guest, at Startup World Cup Pakistan 2020 National Final — Mr. Chaudhry Fawad Hussain Federal Minister for Science and Technology appreciated the leadership & vision of Maj Gen Obaid Bin Zakria, HI(M), Vice-Chancellor, Lahore Garrison University.

Thanks to my friend Kanwal Masroor—founder of CxO Global Forum — a network of senior executives & country heads from the world’s largest and most influential companies. Hosting CxO Show is an honor.

Serving at Lahore Garrison University has been an honor of a lifetime. Exciting times ahead for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Pakistan.

Thanks, Rizwan Buttar for inviting to a Barbecue Dinner at PM House — with a discussion on Sufism. Great company made it a memorable experience.

Thanks, Rizwan Buttar for providing this view to spark & fuel creativity that helped throughout 2020.

I am thankful to my family, all the friends, supporters, mentors — business partners, who made 2020 a great learning & growing year for us! Happy New Year to all & We wish you all the success in 2021. Under the guidance of my Mentor Maj Gen Obaid Bin Zakria — I can promise you, we are just getting started and the Big Dream: is to make Pakistan a Top-50 Innovative Nation and $500 Billion Innovation Economy by 2030 🇵🇰.

Be humble and the world will open to you. Be a steward and the world will serve you. Be kind with those in need so they will become your most loyal allies. Do not fear the future, be it — Dr Mark Esposito

About the Author: Imran Jattala is Co-Founder of Innovators Garage — with a mission to build $500B Innovation Economy & to make Pakistan a Top-50 Innovative Nation. He is also Director Innovation, Lahore Garrison University — a leading entrepreneurial university in Pakistan. He is also Co-Founder Center for Global Innovators (CGI). He tweets at: @ImJattala