Accelerate Prosperity is an initiative of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Central and South Asia, with a mandate to create sustainable enterprises by investing in companies that can enable social, environmental and economic growth while delivering good capital returns.
International Certificate In Entrepreneurship
Accelerate Prosperity and E4Impact Foundation offer the International Certificate in Entrepreneurship (ICE) to aspiring and early stage entrepreneurs who desire to build/ grow their enterprises.
The goals of ICE are
- To equip the entrepreneurs with the required skills and knowledge for launching and growing a business
- To improve investment readiness of a business by adopting sustainable business models, using tools such as Business Model Canvas, Financial Model, Information Memorandum and Pitch Decks and meeting all legal and compliance requirements
- To secure the required financing to launch their business

ICE consists of two main components
Investment Readiness Training and Advisory
A blended learning approach that provides remote training and advisory, business coaching and mentoring.
Financing
Towards the end of the process select entrepreneurs will pitch their business/ idea to Accelerate Prosperity, financial institutions, impact investment funds from Pakistan and overseas for securing financing/ investments.
Training and Advisory:
It’s a unique approach where a pool of trainers, mentors, subject-matter experts and business coaches whose capacities are relevant to types of businesses selected for incubation services, design and lead the entire process. The process is specifically designed for new ideas and early stage businesses which have significant potential for growth and impact.
The modules covered in this component include
- Business modelling
- Market Analysis and Marketing
- Financial Management and Financial Modelling
- Developing Information Memorandum
- Pitch making
AP’s Financing Information:
- Instrument: Patient debt
- Interest rate: Equivalent to inflation
- Term: up to 10 years
- Ticket size: PKR 1 million – PKR 15 million
- Other Requirements: Mortgage land or building


What’s in it for an Entrepreneur?
- Financing: AP provides patient debt up to 15 million for businesses with a significant potential to grow.
- Investment Readiness Training and advisory: Tailored investment readiness training including remote advisory to help businesses improve their business model and execution plan and present a case for potential financing.
- International Certificate: Entrepreneurs completing all the assessment requirements will be given a certificate in entrepreneurship by Accelerate Prosperity and E4Impact Foundation of Altis School of Business, Universita Cattolica, Milan (Italy).
- Business Forum: Select entrepreneurs will get a chance to participate in the AP business forum to pitch their business/ idea to AP and other national and international institutional and individual investors.
- Personal Business Coaches, Mentors, and Subject Matter Experts: These include successful entrepreneurs, investors and subject matter experts and AP’s investment team to help guide the entrepreneur throughout the process.
The Complete ICE Journey of an Entrepreneur
Step 1:
Submission of Application: Submit your business idea for initial screening by Accelerate Prosperity.
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Step 6:
Award of International Certificate on Entrepreneurship: Upon successful completion, receive an internationally accredited certificate by E4Impact Foundation and AP.
Step 7:
Step 8:

WHO CAN APPLY?
- Entrepreneurs from Pakistan who aim to launch a business anywhere in Pakistan, are eligible to apply.
- New, innovative and unique ideas offering highly value adding, scalable and technological solutions and demonstrating potential for causing positive economic and social transformation will be preferred.
- Business ideas from ALL sectors can apply.
WHO CANNOT APPLY?
- Businesses involved in practices that are illegal, unethical and/or cause substantial damage to the environment.
- Not-For-Profit business ideas or institutions.
What is our Selection Criteria?
Business Criteria
- A unique and innovative business idea with potential for causing or contributing to positive economic and social transformation.
- A clear market niche, sound target market and customer base.
- Realistic competitive advantage in terms of price, quality and easy/ large access.
- Strong revenue and profit models, potential for scalability and growth.
- Strong value chain effect.
- Impact potential.
Personal Criteria
- Strong entrepreneurial traits, including (but not limited to) leadership qualities, risk taking, street smartness, ability to do more with less etc.
- Coachable team, including (but not limited to) openness to advisory, learn, ability and openness to constantly iterate, adapt and evolve based on changing conditions, realities or assumptions etc.
- Past experience in doing business, or as an employee in a similar industry, or subject matter expertise relevant to the product/ service.
Are you an entrepreneur with an innovative and transformational business idea or startup?
To learn more about ICE:
Partner Institutions

E4impact Foundation

Karakorum International
University
