Successful businesspeople who appear in Forbes magazine’s annual lists, such as the “Forbes 30 under 30,” “Forbes 500,” and “Forbes Global 2000,” are referred to as entrepreneurs who make it to the magazine.
These lists highlight people and organizations that have significantly advanced their fields or improved their communities. Popular business and finance publication Forbes produces articles on a range of subjects pertaining to entrepreneurship, investment, and finance.
In the business world, making Forbes magazine’s list is seen as a significant accomplishment, and it can give entrepreneurs more visibility and chances for success.
List of Pakistani Entrepreneurs Making it to Forbs Mag
Fiza Farhan
Fiza Farhan is a Pakistani social entrepreneur and climate activist who co-founded the non-profit Buksh Foundation, which focuses on rural electrification and women’s empowerment.
She has taken part in numerous campaigns to promote sustainable development and increase public awareness of climate change, including speaking at international gatherings such as the World Economic Forum and the United Nations Climate Summit.
She has been recognized with several awards, including the Young Champions of the Earth award from the United Nations Environment Program in 2019.
Halida Brohi
Halida Brohi is a Pakistani social entrepreneur and advocate for women’s rights. She founded and leads Sughar, a nonprofit that provides vocational and life skills training, microloans, and business development support to women in rural Pakistan.
Brohi has been recognized for her work, receiving the Emerging Young Leaders Award from the US Department of State and being listed as a Forbes 30 under 30 honoree. She is also a member of the Clinton Global Initiative and a TED Fellow.
Dur e Aziz Amna
This individual is a Pakistani-American author who draws inspiration from her life experiences living in the United States. Her first novel, titled “American Fever,” is scheduled to be published in August and is a coming-of-age tale about a young Pakistani Muslim girl raised in a rural town in Oregon.
She holds a degree from Yale College and is a former student of the Helen Zell Writers’ Program at the University of Michigan. Her writing has been featured in various publications, including Al Jazeera, the New York Times, and the Financial Times.
Zain Ahmad
In 2018, this designer co-founded Rastah, a streetwear fashion label from Pakistan. Notable figures such as Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar, Academy Award-winning actor Riz Ahmed, and rapper French Montana have worn his designs.
According to a feature in Forbes, the brand prioritizes sustainable and artisanal designs, producing limited quantities of items that are designed, sourced, and crafted by local artisans in Pakistan.
Muhammad Salman
Muhammad Salman is a co-founder of BridgeLinx, a technology startup that links manufacturers and exporters in Pakistan with truckers and private fleets. The company also guarantees document verification, cargo safety, and prompt pick-up and delivery.
According to Forbes, BridgeLinx raised $10 million in the biggest seed round in Pakistan just nine months after its establishment. The round was led by 20 VC’s Harry Stebbings, along with Buckley Ventures and Indus Valley Capital. The company is headquartered in Lahore.
Shawana Shah
Shawana Shah co-founded Da Hawwa Lur to provide social and economic support to women, young girls, and transgender individuals affected by gender-based violence. She advocates for policy reforms, hosts literacy workshops, and provides tele-counseling services. Shah received the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award and Emerging Young Leaders Award from the US Department of State for her work in promoting gender equality.
She has written articles and spoken at international forums on the subject. Shah’s work with Da Hawwa Lur and other organizations is empowering women and promoting gender equality in Pakistan and beyond.
Zainab Bibi
Zainab Bibi founded the Pakistan Society for Green Energy in 2013 to raise awareness of environmental issues and promote alternative energy sources. Her innovative solutions and advocacy have inspired others to adopt similar approaches.
Zainab Bibi’s work has been recognized nationally and internationally, including the Energy Globe Award and UN Environment Program’s Young Champions of the Earth Award. Her efforts not only contribute to environmental protection but also the development of Pakistan’s economy through the creation of new industries and job opportunities in the green energy sector.
Ahmed Rauf Essa
As a business school student at the age of 23, Ahmed Rauf Essa co-founded Telemart, which has become one of the biggest e-commerce platforms in Pakistan. In a short period of time, Essa’s entrepreneurial skills have been acknowledged through multiple awards and nominations, such as being selected as a judge for the International Business Awards in 2018.
Mariam Nusrat
Mariam Nusrat, a Pakistani-American entrepreneur, has been selected for the “Forbes Next 1000 List” of 2021. This list acknowledges emerging entrepreneurs who are making a positive impact in their respective fields and communities.
Nusrat founded Mintor, a virtual mentoring platform connecting students and professionals with mentors who can guide them towards their objectives. The platform focuses on being accessible and affordable, especially for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Previously, Nusrat worked in various tech industry roles, including as a software engineer at Microsoft. She co-founded Women in Computing at the University of Maryland and participated in several initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. Nusrat’s inclusion in the Forbes Next 1000 List recognizes her innovative approach to mentoring and her dedication to advancing accessibility and opportunity for all.
Umar Anwar Jahangir
Jahangir is involved in multiple healthcare non-profit programs in Karachi, one of which is a pioneering effort to establish the first blood bank in Pakistan integrated with mobile networks. In addition to the blood bank initiative, Jahangir is also spearheading various other non-profit healthcare programs aimed at improving access and affordability of medical care in Karachi.
The non-profit healthcare programs that Jahangir is running in Karachi are making a significant impact on the community by providing vital medical assistance to those who might not have had access otherwise.
Jahangir’s dedication to the betterment of healthcare in Karachi has inspired many others to join the cause and work towards improving the overall health and well-being of the community.
