(London 07 October 2024) In a major event on 29th September at the Royal Over-seas League, the Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs (OPEN), the world’s premier entrepreneur network which started in Silicon Valley 26 years ago, saw the launch its London Chapter in a packed house hours after the 9th HUM Awards at the Wembley Arena which drew a capacity crowd.

 

The meeting was attended by 100 leading entrepreneurs and executives providing an opportunity to deepen connections, explore collaborative ventures and foster greater business and investment links across London/UK and the US. This builds on the “Transatlantic Initiative,” a joint US-UK Government project in 2008-2009 to develop a long-term network of American Pakistani and British Pakistani community leaders to serve as a catalyst to foster business growth, integration and civic engagement among current and future generations and supported by Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (who was the sponsoring Minister at the time). The importance of such links, especially now, was highlighted at both London Tech Week and Fintech Week London in June 2024.

 

Abu Bakar, President OPEN Global said:-

 

‘The launch of OPEN London was something of a milestone not only as the first chapter in a global city outside of North America but the best and biggest launch of a new chapter. I am also super excited that OPEN London can play a crucial role as a gateway to the UK and Europe and growth hubs in the rest of the Commonwealth and I wish them all the best in their future after such a great start.’

 

Zahra Shah, President OPEN London said:-

 

‘The OPEN London CIC Board is proud to have successfully launched the first London/UK and European chapter for OPEN Global! We look forward to continuing to deliver a series of initiatives building on the “Transatlantic Initiative (TAI)” started by the Mayor of London when he was a Government Minister. Our aim is to provide a unique opportunity to deepen connections, explore collaborative ventures and foster greater business and investment links across London/UK and North America under the TAI.’

 

The Guest of Honour was Sultana Siddiqui, Media Mogul and President Hum Network and the Keynote Speaker was Duraid Qureshi, Entrepreneur and CEO Hum Network who both gave fascinating insights on Hum TV’s story from start-up to one of Pakistan’s biggest entertainment networks and a major media brand. The Chair was Zahra Shah, OPEN London CIC Chair and President, AI and Frontier Tech Expert, Entrepreneur, Investor and Portfolio Board Director.

 

Panellists discussed approaches to entrepreneurship and impact in the UK and US and opportunities for increased collaboration and included Abu Bakar, OPEN Global President, Operating Partner at  Visible Ventures and incoming CEO of the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB); Farida Rokadia, OPEN Global Female Initiative Lead, Gender, Interfaith and Education Expert; Bano Sheikh, OPEN London, Partner at KPMG UK; Jawad Khan, OPEN London, Country GM UKI Visionet Systems; and Zubair Junjunia, OPEN London Youth Ambassador, Founder at ZNotes. The Host was Arif Zaman, OPEN London Board Member, Bloomsbury Institute and Executive Director at Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network.

 

A range of initiatives and activities for Charter Members are planned over the next 12 months including a delegation to the OPEN Silicon Valley Annual Forum on 9th November, a briefing on outcomes from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa including the Commonwealth Investment Action Plan (to which OPEN London contributed) at Marlborough House, the Commonwealth HQ and events around London Tech Week in June 2025.

 

OPEN London goals are:-

 

• Create initiatives that serve as a launchpad for British Pakistani Professionals and Entrepreneurs
• Community building activities with Innovation as a core pillar
• Cultural and mindset shift through professional and personal development
• Focusing on community engagement through local and OPEN Global collaborations
• Helping youth and professionals explore career and growth options through awareness and networking
• Supporting existing British Pakistani entrepreneurs and professionals
• Be a vehicle for talent from the Pakistani diaspora into investment in Pakistan

 

OPEN London is also a great resource of experienced entrepreneurs ready to coach and mentor budding entrepreneurs.

 

OPEN London is grateful to its sponsors for its support for its launch – Visionet Systems and Bloomsbury Institute London – and its partners – the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network and British Pakistan Foundation.

 

Duraid Qureshi, Entrepreneur and CEO Hum Network sharing Hum TV’s story at the OPEN London launch on 29th September at the Royal Over-seas League with Guest of Honour Sultana Siddiqui, Media Mogul and President Hum Network at the bottom right in the audience.

 

About OPEN Global

 

The Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs (OPEN) Global is the world’s premier entrepreneur network. Founded in 1998 in Boston, OPEN has grown to eleven chapters in some of the world’s most dynamic hubs of entrepreneurship — in the U.S., U.K., and Pakistan. OPEN’s membership boasts leading entrepreneurs, business leaders, and corporate professionals. OPEN chapters host dozens of networking, knowledge-sharing, and mentoring events every month. OPEN Global ensures coordination across chapters and drives global initiatives and growth through the launch of new chapters. The non-profit organization is registered in Massachusetts and is governed by an independent Board of Directors and an elected President. OPEN provides a platform for entrepreneurs and professionals to connect, network, collaborate, mentor, and support each other, helping countless in their entrepreneurial journeys. Our members include professionals, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, scientists, social leaders, academics, and students. For more details and for those interested in becoming Charter members, contact Zahra Shah, OPEN London CIC Chair & President (openlondoncic@gmail.com)