Six teams of entrepreneurs win Rs2.625m to build startups to resolve urban waste problem

Six teams of budding entrepreneurs have won a total cash prize of Rs 2.625 million under a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-backed pro-climate innovation drive to transform their projects and ideas into climate-friendly businesses aimed at tackling the issue of urban waste with financial viability.

The grand finale of the pro-climate innovation drive, 2nd Life Pakistan 2.0, brought together climate-focused startups, policymakers and environmentalists to highlight innovative solutions for rethinking waste. With support through mentorship and business development, over 30 young ventures from across Pakistan turned environmental challenges into scalable, impact-driven businesses tackling everything from e-waste and textiles to food scraps and agri by-products.

Hosted by SEED Ventures in collaboration with Unilever Pakistan and the UNDP in Pakistan serving as the Secretariat for the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP), the event marked the conclusion of a six-month journey into circular economy entrepreneurship, spotlighting startups that view waste not as a problem but as a possibility.