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Entrepreneur

Learning to build and run your own business in Pakistan — from a dukaan to a tech startup — and earning from the value you create.

Stream
I.Com or ICS
First salary
PKR 20,250 a month
Field
Business
Facts checked
26 Sept 2026

About

Entrepreneurship means spotting a problem people have and building a business that solves it. It can be a retail shop, an online brand, a food stall, a services firm or a technology startup. Unlike a salaried job, you own the result: profits are yours, but so are losses. In Pakistan, mobile internet, digital payments, and a growing startup ecosystem make it easier to start than before. Still, it needs patience, sales skills, and the habit of learning from failures.

A day in the life

  1. 1Morning: check yesterday’s sales and cash flow; decide what to restock or change.
  2. 2Midday: meet a customer or supplier, negotiate rates, and handle WhatsApp inquiries.
  3. 3Afternoon: work on marketing — post offers on Instagram or TikTok, update your website.
  4. 4Evening: review expenses, plan the week’s budget, and maybe talk to a mentor or co-founder.
  5. 5Night: learn a skill — digital marketing, accounting, or product design — for tomorrow.

Is this for you

You'll likely enjoy it if

  • You are comfortable with uncertainty and risk.
  • You enjoy solving real problems for real people.
  • You can work without a fixed salary for months.
  • You like talking to customers and persuading others.
  • You keep wanting to learn new skills on your own.
  • You can make decisions with limited information.

The hard parts, honestly

  • Your income can be irregular, especially in the first few years.
  • You are responsible for rent, salaries, tax, and SECP paperwork.
  • There is no fixed routine — evenings and weekends are often work.
  • Many ideas fail; you need to handle rejection and pressure.

Stream to choose

I.ComICSFSc Pre-Engineering also worksFA / Humanities also worksFSc Pre-Medical also works

Subjects that matter most: Business Studies, Economics, Accounting, Mathematics, Computer Science, English

No Matric or FSc stream closes this door. I.Com and ICS build useful skills for BBA/BS business degrees, while Pre-Engineering helps for tech startups. Keep Maths and English strong; if Business/Economics is available, choose it.

Salary in Pakistan

  1. Average reported — Karachi

    PKR 20,250/ month

    Indeed city average; startup founder incomes are not captured here.. Entrepreneur salary in Pakistan · checked 26 Sept 2026

All figures in PKR per month, from the sources shown.

Where to study

Private universities4

  • Institute of Business Administration (IBA)

    Karachi · BBA (4 years)

    iba.edu.pk

  • Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)

    Lahore · BSc Management (4 years)

    lums.edu.pk

  • FAST-National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences

    Lahore · BS Management Sciences (4 years)

    nu.edu.pk

  • Institute of Business Management (IoBM)

    Karachi · BBA (4 years)

    iobm.edu.pk

Where to work

  • i2i VenturesVenture capital / accelerator

    Funds and supports early-stage Pakistani startups.

  • SarmayacarVenture capital

    Invests in Pakistani technology startups.

  • Ignite National Technology FundGovernment tech fund

    Funds innovation and entrepreneurship projects across Pakistan.

  • Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB)Government

    Runs incubation centres and technology initiatives in Punjab.

Future outlook

Pakistani entrepreneurship is growing with more internet users, digital wallets, e-commerce, and local venture funding. Startups in fintech, education, health, food and retail are expanding, and the government supports incubation centres and tech programmes. It is not a stable salary career, but the opportunity is real for those who can sell, solve problems, and adapt quickly.

Growing fast

  • E-commerce and online retail
  • Fintech and digital payments
  • Edtech and online tutoring
  • Healthtech and telemedicine
  • Food delivery and cloud kitchens
  • Digital marketing and content businesses

Working abroad

Pakistani founders also build businesses in the Gulf, UK and US after gaining experience or a foreign degree. A local startup track record is often enough to open those doors.

Your roadmap

Build your business mindset in Class 9–10: keep Maths and English strong, start small experiments, and choose I.Com or ICS later.

Milestones

  1. Class 9, September

    Start your business ideas notebook

    Write at least one problem you noticed today and one possible solution. Keep this going all year.

  2. Class 9, first term

    Choose Maths and English as core focus

    If optional Business, Economics, or Computer Science is available, pick it. These subjects feed I.Com and ICS.

  3. Class 9, by March

    Complete your first paid experiment

    Sell something small — homemade snacks, a repair service, or a craft item — to a relative or at a school event. Note the cost, price, and profit.

  4. Winter of Class 10

    Pass Class 10 pre-board exams

    Score at least 80% in Maths and English in your pre-board tests to confirm readiness for the board exam.

  5. March–May, Class 10

    Appear in Matric or O Level board exams

    Sit for the spring board examinations. Your scores decide which college and stream you can choose.

  6. June–August, after board results

    Choose a college stream deliberately

    I.Com and ICS give the fastest path to BBA/BS business degrees, while Pre-Engineering supports technical ventures. Talk to one IBA/LUMS graduate before choosing.

  7. Summer after Class 10

    Shadow a small business for one week

    Spend the summer with a shop, service firm, or online seller. Not as a paid job — ask permission to observe and help free.

  8. August–September, after results

    Apply for college and scholarships

    Submit college admission forms early and check PEEF, college-specific need scholarships, and government merit lists.

What to focus on

  • Maths is the backbone of businessClass 9 and Class 10

    Every business decision uses percentages, profit and loss, and interest. Score at least 80% in Matric/O Level Maths to keep later BBA/BS doors open, including IBA and LUMS.

  • English opens bigger marketsClass 9–10

    Pitching ideas, writing emails, and selling to customers depend on clear English. Build reading and speaking habits now — your future customers and investors will judge you on this.

  • Science and logic sharpen problem-solvingClass 9–10

    You don't need to love science, but understanding cause and effect helps you spot problems and design solutions. It also keeps Pre-Engineering open if you later want a tech startup.

  • Choose Business or Computer Science if offeredOptional choices in Class 9 or at college entry

    If your Matric school offers Business Studies, Economics, or Computer Science as an optional subject, pick it. It gives a head start for I.Com or ICS after Matric.

  • Board exam marks shape college choicesSpring of Class 10

    Your Matric percentage is not your identity, but it decides which college and FSc/ICS/I.Com group you can join, and whether PEEF or need-based scholarships apply. Aim for 70%+ minimum, 85%+ for top colleges.

Skills to build

  • Public speaking and confidenceClass 9–10

    Practice a one-minute introduction about yourself and a business idea. Learn free with YouTube's 'Crash Course Business: Entrepreneurship' channel and your school debating society.

  • Basic accounting and money senseOngoing

    Learn income, expense, profit and loss with Khan Academy's free 'Accounting' and 'Financial Literacy' units. Keep a simple ledger of your pocket money in Excel.

  • Digital marketingFrom Class 10

    Finish Google's free 'Fundamentals of Digital Marketing' course on Google Digital Garage. It teaches SEO, social media, and online ads in simple lessons.

  • Computer skillsClass 9–10

    Learn touch typing and spreadsheets with free tools like TypingClub and Excel Easy. Speed in typing and Excel saves hours when you later manage a business.

  • Critical thinkingClass 9–10

    Take the free 'Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking' course on Coursera (audit mode) or use Khan Academy. Use it to question assumptions behind every business idea.

  • Basic coding or no-code logicClass 10 and later

    Get comfortable with logic using Scratch (free from MIT), then try HTML/CSS on freeCodeCamp. Useful for tech startups and for understanding digital products.

People to know

Most first jobs and internships come through people. Start early, and keep it simple.

  • Start an Ideas Club at school

    Gather two or three friends and meet weekly to discuss one business problem each week. No need for a teacher: just listen to each other and ask 'how could we solve it?'

  • Question local business owners

    Ask a shopkeeper, chai stall owner, or a relative with a business: 'How do you decide your selling price?' or 'What is your biggest daily problem?' Do this at least once a month.

  • Follow IBA and LUMS business societies

    On Instagram, follow IBA's and LUMS's entrepreneurship societies. They often hold free online talks and panel sessions that are open to anyone — join and listen.

  • Prepare a LinkedIn profile with a parent

    LinkedIn officially allows younger teens to have profiles with age verification. Use a parent's guidance to create one, list your school and skills, and connect with two mentors.

  • Find a small-business mentor

    Through family, the mosque, or neighbours, find one person who runs a business. Ask them for 15 minutes once a month to share their wins and mistakes.

  • Run a stall at school events

    At your annual school funfair or exhibition, take charge of one stall. You will handle cash, customers, inventory, and negotiation — live entrepreneurship training.

What it costs

Matric private school fees: PKR 5,000–15,000 per month in most cities; government schools are nearly free. O Level exam entry varies — roughly PKR 50,000 per subject per session. College fees after Matric vary by stream.

Scholarships

  • PEEF scholarshipsApply through school, usually early in the academic year

    Punjab Educational Endowment Fund gives need-cum-merit scholarships to students from Class 9 upward. Ask your school to nominate you if your family income is low and your marks are strong.

  • College-specific need scholarshipsDuring college admission

    Many private colleges in Pakistan offer their own need-based or merit-based fee waivers. Inquire at the admission office and always bring your father/mother's income documents.

  • HEC and Ehsaas laterFrom Class 12 onward

    These fund university students, not Matric. But the HEC/Ehsaas need-based scholarship forms ask for your Matric percentage, so protect your marks now to stay eligible later.

Learn more

People to follow

Books

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