ISLAMABAD: Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) will award three top innovators as part of its fifth edition of the Transformers Roadshow competition, in which applicants are invited to pitch ideas that help accelerate UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).[the_ad id=”32940″]Launched in July 2018, the Transformers Roadshow is a key initiative led by the IsDB’s Transform Fund, set up to support the Bank’s strategic focus on supporting solutions that contribute to the SDGs. Previous editions of the Transformers Roadshow took place in Niger, Kazakhstan and Bangladesh, Uzbekistan where the Bank has awarded twelve innovators with $3,000 of funding and support.

The competition has attracted more than 200 entrepreneurs, scientists and innovators across Pakistan, of which 21 have been invited to pitch their projects assessed on their alignment with the SDGs agenda including factors such as innovativeness, impact & outreach, practicality, scalability, sustainability, potential for patenting and commercialisation.

Shortlisted teams will present their ideas to an esteemed judging panel from the public and private sectors in an event at COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad on the 4th May, including:

  • Dr Hayat Sindi, Senior Advisor to the President of the IsDB, Science, Technology and Innovation
  • Dr Fil Randazzo, CEO and Founder, Leverage Science
  • Lars Kroijer, CEO, Allied Crowds
  • Mr Yusuf Hussain, CEO, Ignite

Commenting on the high number of applications and interest in STI-led projects, Dr Hayat Sindi,Senior Advisor to the President of the IsDB, Science Technology and Innovation said: “I am delighted to see so many fantastic innovators in Pakistan. When we launched the Transform Fund, our dream was to support science, technology and innovation-led solutions designed by local entrepreneurs and innovators who understand their communities. We have had a record number of applicants for the Transformers Roadshow here in Pakistan, and I am excited to see what solutions will be provided for local development problems.”

State Minister for Health Dr. Zafar Mirza and President Islamic Development Bank H.E. Dr. Bandar Hajjar would be the chief guests for the Transformers Roadshow.

As part of their recognition, the winners – announced on 4th May – of the fifth edition of the Transformers Roadshow will be awarded US$3,000, an invitation to attend the 2019 Transformers Summit in Senegal.

The Transformers Roadshow is part of the IsDB’s upscaled support to the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) sector in Pakistan. As part of the H.E. Dr Bandar Hajjar’s new vision for the Bank, IsDB has developed a roadmap which aims to integrate STI in all IsDB programs and projects to maximize the developmental impact of its projects.