Category 14
Rising Star of the Year
Under-30 technologists from any domain β the wildcard category for the next generation of Pakistani tech leaders.
Opens Sunday, September 13, 2026 β All categories
Who should apply
- Under-30 technologists showing exceptional promise
- Early-career professionals with outsized impact
- Students or recent graduates building impressive projects
- Open-source contributors with growing communities
- Hackathon winners turning ideas into products
What judges look for
- Depth of technical skill relative to career stage
- Projects or contributions with real-world usage
- Learning velocity and ability to pick up complex domains
- Community involvement (mentoring peers, open-source, talks)
- Potential for continued growth and leadership
Eligibility
Universal criteria
Experience & leadership
3β5+ years in technology, mid-tier (non-CXO) roles, proven leadership and impact.
Innovation & creativity
Demonstrated problem-solving and creative solutions within your field.
Growth & mentorship
Continuous learning plus developing others through mentorship or training.
Adaptability & resilience
Proven resilience through crises or significant organizational change.
Ethics & responsibility
High ethical standards, diversity & inclusion, community and sustainability work.
Candidates
Nominees in Rising Star of the Year
Showing 36 of 237 applicants
Sanam Hussain
NomineeSarfaraz Ali
NomineeSarosh Hassan
NomineeSehar Malik
NomineeSetara Haris
NomineeShagufta Khan
NomineeShahmir
NomineeShahrukh Nadeem
NomineeShams Un Nisa
NomineeSharoon Masih
Nomineeshayan farrukh
π WinnerShayan Fatima
NomineeShazia khan
NomineeShermeen Shahab
NomineeShoaib Hussain
NomineeShoujat Haider Malik
NomineeShumaila
NomineeSIKANDAR HAYAT AWAN
NomineeSumiya Saleem
NomineeSyed Abdul Basit
NomineeSyed Ali Jibran Shah
NomineeSyed Dawood
NomineeSyed Farazuddin
NomineeSyed Muhammad Zain Uddin
NomineeSyed Muhammad Zia
NomineeSyed Osama Hussain
NomineeSyed Safeer
NomineeSyed Sajid ul Haq Haqqi
β FinalistSyed Tehsin Haider Mehdi
NomineeSyed Usama Akhtar
NomineeSyed Wasiq
NomineeSyeda Jabeen Zehra
NomineeSyeda Sidra Fatima Rizvi
NomineeTabinda Haroon
NomineeTaha Muhammad Khan
NomineeTahir Husain
π WinnerCommon questions
FAQ
I am exactly 30 β am I eligible?
The cutoff is under 30 at the time of application. If you turn 30 before the ceremony, you are not eligible for this category but can apply to any other.
Applications open Sunday, September 13, 2026
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