Another year, another showcase of enterprise and ambition. The grand finale of Tijarathon 3.0 took place on Saturday, 4th April 2026, at the Dawoodi Bohra’s Al Nadi Al Burhani complex in Karachi.
A flagship initiative of the Business Department of the Dawoodi Bohras of Pakistan, Tijarathon has grown steadily since its launch in 2022, providing an annual platform for emerging entrepreneurs to refine and present their ideas. This year, 36 teams advanced through the preliminary rounds to reach the finale.
Investors from across Pakistan explored the exhibition floor engaging with booths. In the evening, eight finalist teams presented to a live investor panel with 35 individuals indicating interest in supporting ventures across the board.
But the numbers only tell part of the story. Here is what three teams shared about the experience.
Team Funkari: We had nothing to lose
– Alifiya Talib
Tijarathon didn’t begin for us as something big. It began on a random day when five of us sat together — half serious, half curious — discussing an idea that was still half-baked. Funkari wasn’t even a “business” then. It was a collection of thoughts.
When we heard about the event, we thought why not? There was no strategy behind enrolling. We just felt we had nothing to lose.
It’s strange how speaking about your own idea can feel so exposing. But one thought stayed with us: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
What we encountered, however, was beyond expectations. The structure, timelines, and follow-ups brought a level of discipline I was not used to. Being assigned a mentor changed everything. At that point we realised our idea had to withstand scrutiny. We were asked questions we hadn’t considered. Slowly, that half-baked concept began to take shape. We refined, revisited, and reworked it—again and again.
There were moments we doubted ourselves.
And then came the final pitch. Standing there, I knew we were in front of familiar faces but it felt like the most unfamiliar situation. Our hands were cold, voices slightly shaky. It’s strange how speaking about your own idea can feel so exposing. But one thought stayed with us: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
So we spoke. Not perfectly, but honestly.
And when it ended, there was this quiet realization — we had actually done it.
Team Fizz: We’re not wasting this
– Taha Burhanpurwala
From the moment we entered, it felt official. Name tags. Designated seating with our names on it. It might sound small, but it made us feel seen. Like we belonged there.
The real moment was the expert panel. People who had made it. Not in a glamorous way, but in a real way. People who had failed, again and again, and still built something meaningful. And now they were sitting in front of us, listening. To us.
I remember thinking that if we tried to reach out to even one of them outside, it would probably cost us a lot. Time, money, access. But here we were, getting their attention, their feedback, their honesty. That made me reckon with myself: I am not wasting this.
Then came pitching again. This time, in front of people who truly understood what we were saying. That made it more intense. More real. It was nerve-wracking, no doubt. But it went well. Not perfect—but strong enough to make us believe we were improving.
And that mattered.
Team Shakedown: A win in every way
– Zahabiya Kitabi
By the time April 4th came, everything felt different. I woke up with this mix of excitement and pressure in my chest.
Setting up the stall felt like placing pieces of effort into physical form. At first, it was quiet. Then slowly, people started coming in. And then more. Standing there, watching them actually listen — not just politely, but with genuine interest — filled me with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. And responsibility.
Then came the pitch. I had never stood in front of that many people before. People who could actually change the future of what I was building.
I spoke. I gave it everything I had.
Throughout the journey, my greatest support was my husband. His quiet encouragement grounded me through every stage. Tijarathon emboldened me to think beyond the mundane. That every successful business takes root from the simplest of ideas. The dealbreaker is one’s will to see it through to the end.
Participating in this event was more than a competition, it was a transformative journey. From the very beginning, it challenged me to think strategically and stay consistent under pressure.
What truly stood out was the learning curve. I didn’t just gain theoretical knowledge; I developed practical skills like problem-solving, teamwork and adaptability. These were lessons that will stay with me long after the event. More than anything, it was the mentorship, exposure, and feedback that I’ll carry forward the longest.
More than anything, it was the mentorship, exposure, and feedback that I’ll carry forward the longest.
By the end, I wasn’t just more confident in my abilities, I had a clearer vision of my goals and the tools to pursue them. It wasn’t just about winning. It was about growth and having the courage to see your pitch through. That in itself was reason enough to participate.