About SIA
A social enterprise ecosystem builder in Pakistan, rooted in communities.
SIA backs young people and women who solve local problems, from the grassroots to national and international stages, and links them with universities, development organisations, policymakers and investors.
SIA in short
- Who we are
- A social enterprise ecosystem enabler: a registered social enterprise and training academy
- Based in
- Quetta (headquarters), with offices in Lahore and Islamabad
- Hubs
- SIA Impact Studio, Quetta · CEUL, University of Loralai
- Reach
- 73,800+ people reached · 30+ initiatives delivered
- Entrepreneurs trained
- 3,500+ microentrepreneurs, and 13,800+ young people trained in entrepreneurship and workforce development
- Our plan
- Strategic Plan 2026–2031
Mission
We empower young changemakers and local communities to turn challenges into opportunities — through social entrepreneurship, innovation, and collaboration — building a just, inclusive, and sustainable world from the ground up.
Vision 2031
By 2031, Social Innovation Academy (SIA) is Pakistan’s leading social enterprise enabler: a financially self-reliant institution with international reach, whose academy, incubators, network, capital facility and policy voice together power a thriving social enterprise ecosystem.
250,000
people reached by 2031
15,000
microentrepreneurs trained by 2031
Values
What we stand for
Innovation
Constantly seeking creative solutions and fresh ideas.
Inclusivity
Welcoming all voices and perspectives: women, youth, refugees and host communities alike.
Social impact
Making a measurable, meaningful difference in society and beyond.
Collaboration
Working hand in hand with government, donors and communities for shared success.
Our track record
Impact at a glance
- 73,800+People reached
- 3,500+Microentrepreneurs trained
- 30+Initiatives delivered
- 22+National and international partnerships
- 2Incubation hubs
- 6Conferences convened
Figures as of Sep 2026, each with a definition on the Live Impact Dashboard.
What makes SIA different
A rare combination
- Proven microenterprise development expertise in traditional, hard-to-reach communities
- Women’s empowerment that respects traditional contexts
- Digital innovation, from craft e-commerce to STEM education
- Cultural heritage that drives, not competes with, economic growth
- Scalable methods tested across diverse places
- The full delivery chain in-house: design, training, incubation, seed funding and M&E
Theory of change
Five stages in, four kinds of change out
- 01Ideate
- 02Incubate
- 03Accelerate
- 04Invest
- ∞Alumni for Life
- 1 · Learningskills and behaviour
- 2 · Enterprisesurvival, revenue, jobs
- 3 · Capital & ecosystemcapital, members, exports
- 4 · Systemspolicies and replications
Our offices and hubs
Headquartered in Quetta, working across Pakistan
SIA’s headquarters is in Quetta, home of the SIA Impact Studio. Offices in Lahore and Islamabad bring SIA closer to partners, founders and government across the country.
- QuettaHeadquarters
- LahoreOffice
- IslamabadOffice
- QuettaIncubation hub
SIA Impact Studio
- LoralaiIncubation hub
Centre for Entrepreneurship at the University of Loralai (CEUL)
University of Loralai, Loralai
Milestones
The road so far
2024 & 2025
STEM & robotics bootcamps, a first in Balochistan
Robotics, AI, coding and 3D printing
2024
Policy Making Competition at BUITEMS
University students design policy solutions · PKR 150,000 in seed grants
Nov 2024
Letter of Intent with the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme
Islamabad
2025
SIA Summit 1.0
500+ participants
2025
Summit on Empowering Microentrepreneurs
Convened by SIA
Apr 2026
SIA Summit 2.0 and the launch of SENPak
Islamabad · 300+ participants · Pakistan’s first social enterprise network
Jul 2026
Strategic Plan 2026–2031
From brochure to platform
Aug 2026
First international training contract
Leather craft workshop in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Aug 2026
IOM programme for refugee and host communities
SIA’s largest UN service agreement to date
Balochistan’s first STEAM & Robotics Lab
Government Sandeman Higher Secondary School, Quetta
Women Entrepreneurship Development Program
500 women trained · 100 enterprises incubated · PKR 20 million in seed grants
CEUL’s first cohort
16 startups incubated at the Centre for Entrepreneurship, University of Loralai
Impact Startup Challenge
450+ ideas received · PKR 1.5 million in seed funding
Team, board & advisors
The people behind SIA
Dr. Muhammad Shah Khan
Founder
Founder of SIA and Founding Director of the National Incubation Center (NIC) Quetta, Balochistan’s first incubation center. 18+ years building entrepreneurial ecosystems; 400+ startups supported.
Read the full bio: Dr. Muhammad Shah Khan
Dr. Muhammad Shah Khan is a builder of ecosystems and a believer in the entrepreneurial spirit of people who are often overlooked. As the Founder of the Social Innovation Academy (SIA), he champions social enterprise, youth-led startups, and inclusive entrepreneurship, so that good ideas have a place to grow wherever they begin.
He is also the Founding Director of the National Incubation Center (NIC) Quetta, Balochistan’s first incubation center. In 18+ years of building entrepreneurial ecosystems, he has supported 400+ startups and pioneered programs that empower hard-to-reach communities, and women entrepreneurs.
Ali Zain Ul Abidin
Co-Founder and CEO
A social entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in entrepreneurship, education management and enterprise development. He co-founded CEUL, SENPak and SIA Impact Studio.
Read the full bio: Ali Zain Ul Abidin
Ali Zain Ul Abidin is the Co-Founder and CEO of Social Innovation Academy (SIA), a social entrepreneur dedicated to advancing youth empowerment, social innovation and inclusive economic development. With over a decade of experience in entrepreneurship, education management, and enterprise development, he leads initiatives that transform ideas into sustainable businesses and expand opportunities for underserved communities.
Under his leadership, SIA has trained more than 13,800 young people in entrepreneurship and workforce development, incubated 1,350+ entrepreneurs through its flagship microenterprise development programmes and established Balochistan’s first STEAM and Robotics Lab at Government Sandeman Higher Secondary School, Quetta. His work extends to convening the SIA Summits, advancing women-led social enterprises, and developing entrepreneurship and livelihoods initiatives in partnership with government institutions, GIZ, Islamic Relief Pakistan, and other national and international organizations.
Beyond SIA, Ali co-founded the Centre for Entrepreneurship at the University of Loralai (CEUL) to foster student entrepreneurship and startup incubation, Social Enterprise Network Pakistan (SENPak) to strengthen the national social enterprise ecosystem, and SIA Impact Studio to co-build and scale impact-driven ventures. A DAAD EPOS (Germany & Egypt) Scholar and Atlas Corps (USA) Fellow, he holds postgraduate degrees in International Education Management and Management Sciences. His vision is to build inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems that enable young people and underserved communities to turn their ideas into sustainable economic and social impact.
Adnan Khan
Manager HR and Finance
Manages HR and finance at SIA. He is also a lawyer in Pakistan, with a strong interest in civil law, legal research and advocacy.
Read the full bio: Adnan Khan
Adnan Khan is associated with the Social Innovation Academy (SIA) as Manager HR and Finance, where he contributes to social innovation, enterprise development, capacity building, training, and community development initiatives. His work reflects a commitment to empowering communities, promoting sustainable development, and creating positive social impact through innovative solutions.
Alongside his social enterprise experience, he is a lawyer in Pakistan with a strong interest in civil law, legal research, and advocacy. He is committed to promoting access to justice, protecting legal rights, and addressing legal and social challenges, particularly in Balochistan, through professional excellence, leadership, and public service.
Haroon Rasheed
Program Manager
A development practitioner, educationist and climate advocate from Balochistan, working on entrepreneurship development, social innovation and sustainable development.
Read the full bio: Haroon Rasheed
Haroon Rasheed is a development practitioner, educationist, and climate advocate from Balochistan, Pakistan, passionate about inclusive development, youth empowerment, and community-led solutions. As Program Manager at the Social Innovation Academy (SIA), he contributes to initiatives focused on entrepreneurship development, social innovation, and sustainable development.
His work spans program management, community engagement, and capacity building, with a commitment to empowering underserved communities and transforming local challenges into meaningful, sustainable solutions.
Fida Muhammad
Admin and Logistics Officer
Looks after administrative operations, logistics, documentation and project coordination at SIA.
Read the full bio: Fida Muhammad
Fida Muhammad serves as an Admin and Logistics Officer at the Social Innovation Academy (SIA), contributing to administrative operations, logistics management, documentation, and project coordination. With experience in team leadership and community engagement, he is committed to supporting social innovation, youth empowerment, and entrepreneurship.
Saima Batool
Communication and Marketing Manager
Leads SIA’s communication and digital engagement, with a background in Business Administration and a focus on strategic communication, digital marketing and social impact.
Read the full bio: Saima Batool
Saima Batool serves as the Communication and Marketing Manager at the Social Innovation Academy (SIA), where she drives communication and digital engagement efforts to strengthen the organization’s visibility, advance its mission, and amplify the impact of its social innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives.
With an academic background in Business Administration and a professional focus on strategic communication, digital marketing, and social impact, she works to translate ideas and initiatives into compelling narratives that engage audiences, build meaningful connections, and expand outreach. Her work encompasses content strategy, digital communications, and the promotion of initiatives advancing women’s entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, and community development. Committed to leveraging communication as a catalyst for change, she aims to bridge local initiatives with broader opportunities, elevate underrepresented voices, and contribute to an inclusive and sustainable development landscape in Balochistan and beyond.
Sohail Niaz
Program Manager and SENPak Coordinator
Coordinates programmes in youth development, entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment and STEM education across Balochistan, and coordinates SENPak.
Read the full bio: Sohail Niaz
Sohail Niaz serves as Program Manager and SENPak Coordinator at the Social Innovation Academy (SIA), where he coordinates initiatives focused on youth development, entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, and STEM education. His experience spans program planning and implementation, stakeholder coordination, trainer management, and training delivery across Balochistan.
He also contributes to event organization, monitoring, documentation, and reporting, supporting the effective delivery of SIA’s programs. Through his work, he is committed to expanding learning opportunities and enabling individuals and communities to develop their skills and pursue sustainable livelihoods.
Trusted by
Who we work with
Multilateral & bilateral
- European Union
- World Bank
- UNICEF
- UNFPA
- GIZ
- JICA
- IOM
Government of Pakistan & Balochistan
- Department of Agriculture
- PITE
- Prime Minister’s Youth Programme
- Women Development Department
Development & civil society
- PPAF
- Islamic Relief Pakistan
- USEFP
- WESS
- IDSP
- Taraqee Foundation
- Manzil Organization
Academia & private sector
- BUITEMS
- University of Loralai
- NUML
- Liaison Corporation
- STEP Schools
International clients
- Arweqah Alreyadah Company
More partners
- Archaeo Agency LLC
Logos appear with each partner’s written permission. The capability statement is available on request.
STEAM lab in Balochistan
social enterprise network in Pakistan
university incubator in Loralai
social enterprise incubator and accelerator in Pakistan: the SIA Impact Studio
10-week social entrepreneurship course for high-school students in Pakistan
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