Journalists Turn Entrepreneurs: Packed Workshop at Karachi Press Club Sparks Media Startup Momentum
A workshop at Karachi Press Club trained journalists in digital entrepreneurship, startup strategy, audience building, and media monetization.
NIC Karachi experts train reporters to launch digital ventures, build audiences, and monetize storytelling skills
Karachi: A high-impact workshop on “Digital Entrepreneurship for Journalists and Storytellers” drew a full house at the Karachi Press Club on Saturday, signaling a decisive shift among media professionals toward independent, startup-driven models. Organized by the Skill Development Committee, the session brought together journalists, freelancers, and content creators eager to transform newsroom skills into sustainable digital businesses.
The training was led by Sheikh Hammad Amjad of the National Incubation Center Karachi, alongside Shima Siddiqui (KPC), Rehan Hyder (KPC), and Andeel Ali, Head of Planning & Development at NIC Karachi.
Opening the session, KPC Governing Body member Shima Siddiqui shared her journey in journalism and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of niche specialization for aspiring freelancers and media startup founders. She encouraged participants to focus on specific audience segments and cited examples of successful journalists and emerging media platforms that have thrived through targeted content strategies.
Rehan Hyder emphasized continuous upskilling and diversification of income streams. Drawing from his experience in NIC’s XSeed Program, he explained how structured mentorship and business training enabled him to build and successfully exit an EdTech startup. He encouraged journalists to leverage their storytelling, research, and digital skills beyond traditional media roles.
Lead trainer Sheikh Hammad Amjad delivered an in-depth session on building an entrepreneurial mindset. He guided participants on understanding market dynamics, identifying target audiences, developing viable business models, and executing structured business plans. He also stressed the importance of validation, scalability, and sustainability in startup ventures, along with practical tools for idea testing, market research, and strategic positioning.
Meanwhile, Andeel Ali introduced NIC Karachi and highlighted its role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Pakistan. He elaborated on how the center supports startups through incubation programs, mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to industry linkages, enabling entrepreneurs to scale their ventures and create meaningful impact.
Tariq Habib, Head of Marketing, PR & Outreach at NIC Karachi, appreciated the initiative by the Skill Development Committee and thanked KPC for organizing the session. He emphasized the importance of such capacity-building programs in enhancing digital awareness and entrepreneurial thinking among media professionals. He further recommended that future sessions be conducted in a more structured and focused manner to maximize learning outcomes and industry engagement.
The workshop also featured an interactive dialogue session, where journalists and entrepreneurs shared their success stories. Panel members Zeeshan Ahmed, Munnaza Siddiqui, and Nazish Ayaz provided practical insights into their professional journeys and challenges.
Skill Development Committee secretary Saqib Saghir thanked NIC Karachi for its collaboration and urged participants to understand evolving market demands and continuously upscale their skills to remain competitive in the digital era. He emphasized that capacity building is essential for the survival and growth of journalists in today’s media landscape and reaffirmed his commitment to organizing more such training sessions and workshops for journalists and media professionals in the future.
KPC Joint Secretary Farooq Sami praised participant engagement and confirmed that more training programs are in the pipeline.
KPC Secretary Aslam Khan attended the session and appreciated the efforts of the Skill Development Committee, assuring full support for initiatives aimed at enhancing the professional capacity of club members.
At the conclusion of the workshop, guest speakers and panelists were presented with KPC shields and traditional Ajrak as tokens of appreciation. Participants were awarded certificates, followed by a group photograph and a hi-tea reception.
Participants widely appreciated the initiative and expressed keen interest in attending more such workshops, underscoring the need for continued professional development and entrepreneurial training within the media community.
