CHICAGO: The OPEN Chicago annual conference 2025, held in Chicago, brought together a thriving community of entrepreneurs, executives, innovators, and students for a full day of networking, inspiration, and conversation.
The organization’s ongoing goal of empowering the upcoming generation of Pakistani-American leaders and innovators via cooperation, mentoring, and a common vision was represented in this year’s theme, “ideas to Impact.”
The conference, which was organized by the Executive Committee, which consists of Aamir Chalisa, Babar Rathore, Haris Ahmed, Nadia Kamal, Asif Hussain, and Sadia Rimsha, demonstrated the vigor and aspirations that characterize the Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs (OPEN) Chicago, a chapter of the international OPEN network that spans the United States, the United Kingdom, and Pakistan.
Twenty or more eminent speakers from the fields of technology, healthcare, journalism, academia, entrepreneurship, and civic leadership made comprised the event’s remarkable lineup.
Tariq Khan (President, OPEN Global & Professor, NYU), Khan Siddiqui (Founder & CEO, HOPPR), Ayesha Tanzeem (Award-winning Journalist), and Naveed Sherwani (CEO, Rapid Silicon & National Semiconductor Hub, KSA) were among the important speakers.
Omair Siraj, the founder and CEO of Chestnut Health, Haris Ahmed, the CEO of Pragmatium Consulting, Sameer Shafi, the co-founder of Dialysis Care Center, and Maaria Mozaffar, a legislative attorney, were among the prominent Chicagoans who led lively conversations about the future of healthcare, artificial intelligence, and civic engagement.
From “Healthcare & AI” to “Building Bridges for Growth,” each panel encouraged meaningful dialogue on innovation, entrepreneurship, and community impact.
A special segment, “A Dialogue Between Generations,” bridged perspectives between experienced leaders and emerging changemakers.
The “Defining Your Story: Power of Narrative” session emphasized the importance of storytelling and authentic communication in shaping leadership and influence.
The highlight of the afternoon was Pitch@OPEN, a competition that spotlighted emerging startups including ASL Aspire, Daivurjnt, Shamel Studio, Lanward, and Line Sight.
After a highly competitive round of presentations, Divurgent, led by Lena Alabbasi, was announced as the winner of Pitch@OPEN 2025, receiving a $5,000 cash prize from OPEN Chicago. The award recognized Daivurjnt’s innovative vision and its potential to create a meaningful impact in its industry.
The judges panel included Adeel Ahmad (DXPath.AI), Rafiq Ahmed (Dipalo Ventures), Dannah Jaleel (Innate Capital Partners), Farrukh Usman (Byonyks), and Aamer Ghaffar (oneMachineSoftware) — each offering invaluable feedback to participating startups.
The event drew 150+ participants representing 10+ industries and organizations, creating a unique platform for collaboration and mentorship.
With engaging conversations over coffee, lunch, and dedicated networking sessions, attendees built lasting professional connections within Chicago’s growing innovation ecosystem.
Chairman Aamir Chalisa and President Babar Rathore emphasized OPEN Chicago’s commitment to fostering growth, leadership, and community. As part of OPEN Global, the Chicago chapter continues to inspire and connect professionals across borders — turning ideas into meaningful impact.
About OPEN ChicagoOPEN Chicago is a chapter of OPEN Global, a worldwide network for Pakistani entrepreneurs and professionals.
The organization promotes entrepreneurship, leadership, and professional development through events, mentorship, and community collaboration.
Consul general of Pakistan Chicago Zaman Mehdi and Deputy Consul General Saeed Ali also attended the event
