14th International Conference on Management Research (ICMR) 2023 - logo

Knowledge Track - Entrepreneurial Talks

Disruptive Factors Leading to Digital Transformation

Advancements in bio-tech and info-tech are redefining the very essence of the human society. We are witnessing unprecedented pace in technological disruptions that are leading us to a digital transformation in every walk of life. Very soon we will find ourselves into a complete digital world - a world of metaverse, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence.

In this knowledge session, we will try to identify the disruptive factors, in the context of Pakistan, and their implications for current and future entrepreneurs. We will discuss the mindset and skillset needed to survive and thrive in the unforeseen digitally transformed milieu, with a special focus on the changes needed in programs, curriculum and pedagogies of the business schools to shape entrepreneurs for a digital future.

Following are the tentative themes and important points of discussion by the esteemed panelists:

ThemeDiscussion Questions

Societal Factor

  1. Adaption of digital disruption
  2. Understanding the needs and demands of consumer
  3. Enhancing the customer's experience and automating sales procedures
  4. Incorporating a digital strategy, acquiring and developing talent to help implement the digital transformation journey

Regulatory Factor

  1. Role of regulators in encouraging digital innovation
  2. Regulatory framework lacks the agility to accommodate the increasing pace of technological development
  3. Encourage digital transformation and discourage traditional market trends
  4. Industry effectiveness based on new regulatory needs

Economic Factor

  1. Growth of service-related businesses in software development
  2. Strengthen digital productivity of the organizations by the introduction of smart business processes chains
  3. Influence on the deployment and composition of industrial value
  4. Underlying social divide patterns being reinforced as a result of technology disparities

Panelists List:

Aleena Nadeem - CEO, Edufi

Aleena Nadeem is the CEO and Founder of EDUFI. A fintech startup launched 10 months ago in Pakistan. EduFi aims to provide student financing solutions to the masses. The vision of EduFi is to financially assist as many middle-class citizens of Pakistan as possible, in gaining higher education.
Aleena did her bachelors from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2016. After which she worked for 3 years at Goldman Sachs London in their credit division. She then assisted in raising over $400 million USD for some of the largest fintech deals globally during her time at Ventura Capital (A private equity firm in London). Deals she assisted in raising for include PayTm, UpGrade & Railsbank.

Usman Asif - CEO, Devsinc

Usman Asif is the CEO of Devsinc, a software development company that provides web and mobile application development services to customers across the globe. A serial entrepreneur, Usman has worked with a variety of businesses. He founded his own US-based company in 2008 which now employs over 1000 people. It is currently the fastest-growing IT firm. In the last few years, he has made several successful exits.

Saba Kulsoom - Director Ecosystem, Fasset

Saba Kalsoom is currently Director of Ecosystem at Fasset, an internationally regulated Digital Assets Gateway backed by Liberty City Ventures and Fatima Gobi Ventures, with participation from other VCs. In her role, she aims to connect the next billion to buy, sell, send and store digital assets. Previously, she has been a Growth lead - Startup Ecosystem at COLABS, envisioning a hub for entrepreneurs to grow. She has been an active developer and entrepreneurial community builder for more than 6 years being a founding member of a startup, aiyin, a graduate of National Incubation Center Islamabad, Draper University Entrepreneurship program's alumni, and a Google Developers Student Club lead. She is also a strong advocate of community-centered tech products, ideas, and networking and is actively involved with VCs, angel investors, and startups.

Adnan Sarwar Sheikh - CEO, Mithas & Bombay Chowpatty Restaurants

Adnan Sarwar Sheikh is CEO of Bombay Chowpatty Restaurants and Euro Rachna Rice Mills. He is an individual with love and passion for food and a vision to serve Pakistanis with the tastiest and hygienic food from different cuisines. Also, he is the managing partner of Mithas, premium Mithai Shops.

Hammad Khalique - Head of Incubation Wing, PITB

Hammad Khalique is heading the Incubation Division of the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), the largest Public incubation network in Pakistan with 22 incubation centers across the country. His roles entail the project's go-to-operational strategies, initiating Partnerships in the Government sector, and multichannel brand creative across their portfolio of cutting-edge technology business units in ideation, incubation, and acceleration. For over a half-decade, he has mentored 100+ startups directly with the passion to empower the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Pakistan.

Wahab Younus - PNY Trainings

Mr. Wahab Yunus is the CEO of the PNY Group of Companies. As a Chief Executive Officer with more than a decade of experience in establishing, leading and transforming the organization ranging from start-ups to renowned institutes, he has come a long way. Before founding the PNY Group of Companies, he worked as Marketing Consultant in Multinational Companies as he holds a degree in MBA with marketing specialization from the Institute of Management Sciences.

He is the first person to introduce Social Media Trainings in Pakistan in 2013. Being an action- oriented and performance-driven person, he founded PNY Trainings Institute in Lahore in 2014 which has now widespread branches in the city itself as well as offers virtual access to courses all over the country. The institute offers more than 100 courses in IT, Web Development, Marketing, Security & Networking, Art & Design, SEO and Google Analytics etc.

Mr. Wahab has played a key role in establishing the service provider company known as PNY Advertising agency and a travel agency recognized as PNY Adventures. It is through his hard work together with a continuous struggle that PNY Trainings courses are now successfully offered in the newly established branches of Lahore as well. In the current year, Wahab has successfully established an Amazon Service Provider Company named as Eraflip thus expanding its reach globally.