
Forbes - 2019
Published in the list of “30 under 30” as the only Pakistani to be featured in Social Entrepreneurs Category, 2019
I’m a seasoned entrepreneur and a Philanthropist with over 10 years of experience. I’ve been recognized internationally for my contributions in my mission of eradicating poverty in Pakistan through my crowd funding platform - Seed Out.
Zain Ashraf, a 32-year-old social entrepreneur, business executive, and philanthropist, was born and raised in Gujranwala, Pakistan. He graduated in 2011 from the University of Miami, USA, majoring in Entrepreneurship, and returned to Pakistan with a vision to do something good for his country and its people. He noticed the lack of financial services available to the poverty-stricken masses, which led him to start Seed Out, a non-profit crowdfunding platform that provides quality and interest-free microfinance services to the poor and vulnerable segment of society.
Zain Ashraf is the founder and President of Seed Out, which aims to alleviate poverty by establishing micro-entrepreneurs through interest-free microfinancing. The organization has established a unique nexus between financial inclusion and technological advancement. Seed Out's mission is to provide self-enabling and inclusive entrepreneurial opportunities to alleviate poverty and enable beneficiaries to live their lives with dignity by developing micro-enterprises.
Read MoreSeed Out has supported the establishment of 2000+ micro-entrepreneurs, including 43 differently-abled people and trans persons, across four districts (Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala & Bahawalnagar) while impacting 10210 lives overall. Moreover, Seed Out has enabled these families to send 6000+ out-of-school children to school.
Seed Out is launching Pakistan’s first AI-based Student Scholarship Fund program, powered by its crowdfunding platform. The platform will give an opportunity to students across borders and in Pakistan to obtain a university degree without financial burden. The platform will fund students who have obtained admission at any university but are unable to pay their tuition fee. Verified profiles of potential university students will be published on Seed Out’s Crowdfunding platform. Donors worldwide can crowd-fund the tuition fees against the student profiles online. Seed Out’s Student Scholarship Fund will be paid directly to the universities where the students have been admitted, rather than giving hard cash to the students. The initial verification of every student will be done through a robust AI-based screening. Universities will update the reports of every student semester-wise through Seed Out’s online dashboard, which will be disseminated automatically to all the sponsors of that particular student. This will enable sponsors to feel connected transparently to the cause and motivate them to fund more students worldwide. Zain aims to provide millions of university degrees to deserving candidates who cannot afford quality education.
Zain has also been very actively involved in the development of Gujranwala city. Under social corporate responsibility he also led his vision into reality by erecting Pakistan’s largest alphabetical monument and a Selfie- Point called I LOVE GUJRANWALA (dimensions: 30ft/150ft) which added great value to the city. He along with his brothers have also converted Gujranwala’s garbage dumping site into a family and ladies recreational park for the public in the interest of Gujranwala city and it is great value addition and beautification of the city.
He is also a promising restaurateur in acknowledging the fact that Pakistan lacks recreational activities and international standard home-grown restaurant brands which can be franchised across borders. He founded three state-of-the-art food chains including Tao Pan (Pan Asian Cuisine), Marinara (The Pizza Company), Desi Table (Pakistani Street Food) & Ground Zero which is Pakistan’s 1st Indoor tech-savvy Paintball Arena with a 360-degree immersive experience.
Apart from his business ventures, Zain has gained international recognition for his social entrepreneurship. He was featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2019 list as the only Pakistani in the Social Entrepreneur category. Zain also received the Commonwealth Youth Award for Excellence in Development Work 2018 from the Royal Family at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, where he personally met Prince William, Prince Harry, and Miss Meghan Markle. The event highlighted the important work of "Seed Out," Zain's crowdfunding platform that aims to alleviate poverty by raising entrepreneurs.
He was also honored with the United Nations and NYU 'Champions for Change' Title for his contributions in helping people during the coronavirus pandemic. In 2021, Zain represented Pakistan as a speaker on the topic of harnessing youth capabilities at Organisation of Islamic Corporation (OIC). Zain has also served as Prime Minister’s 1st National Youth Council under the government of PM Imran Khan. Zain's accomplishments have also made him a proud alumnus, being featured in the University of Miami magazine and its 30U30 list in 2017.
Furthermore, Zain became the first Pakistani to receive the Islamic Development Bank Award for Impactful Achievement in the 32-year history of the Islamic Economics prize. This recognition is awarded to only two creative projects that are addressing important development challenges in the 57 ISDB member countries across four continents. The ISDB featured Seed Out's poverty alleviation work as a case study and granted $70,000 to support it. Zain was also invited to the ISDB headquarters in Jeddah to give a lecture on Islamic Economics and to share his work with all the scholars and DG ISDB from the MENA region.
Published in the list of “30 under 30” as the only Pakistani to be featured in Social Entrepreneurs Category, 2019
First Pakistani to be awarded with prestigious Commonwealth Youth Award (2018)
Jönköping published a chapter on Seed Out in their book...
Featured as “Proud Alumni” in the University of Miami magazine (2017)...
Awarded with “The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Programme Award” for Seed Out.
Launched Pakistan’s 1st Social Entrepreneur Program taking a 100 students on board .
Represented Pakistan at OIC (Organization of Islamic Corporations) - youngest speaker at the summit.
1st ever Pakistani to receive UN Champions of Change award
Represented Eccountant (Pakistan’s 1st Online Clouding Web App) at Dublin Web Summit.
1st ever Pakistani to won Islamic Development Bank Prize for Impactful Achievement in Islamic Economics - 2021.
Invited at British Council’s DICE event as an inspirational keynote speaker.
Seed Out in collaboration with the Embassy of Netherlands held business and financial literacy training workshops.
Seed Out in collaboration with the Australian High Commission organized the first-ever series of training in Pakistan
Invited for TEDx event for a TED talk on Improving Living Standards through Micro financing at PIEAS
President at Seed Out, Pakistan’s first online not for profit crowd funding platform working to end poverty by establishing micro-entrepreneurs through interest-free micro-financing.
Credited with founding and managing Eccountant, Pakistan’s first online cloud accounting software for companies of all sizes who wish to have complete financial control over their business.
Heading operations at the Super Asia Group, one of Pakistan’s leading home appliances manufacturers with over 3000 employees. Founded in 1975.
The Mall of Gujranwala is a mega-project by Super Asia Group located at the heart of Gujranwala welcoming millions of people and adventurers every year.
Taopan is an pan asian restaurant located on the third floor of the Mall of Gujranwala. Tao Pan restaurant offers you vast varieties of Pan Asian Cuisine dishes and served with Panache.
Desitable is an upscale modern dining restaurant located on a terrace at Gujranwala Mall. We offer a variety of desi cuisine including barbeque and a variety of tropical drinks.
Marinara The Pizza Company” is inspired by the simplicity & authenticity of traditional Italian Pizza's.
Director at Hardee’s Pakistan, one of the leading chains in the global fast-food industry having 16 outlets across the country.
State of the art housing society project in Sahiwal based on 200 acres of land.
Whirpool is one of the world’s leading multinationals producing home appliances with its headquarters in the United States.
Serving as CEO of Safeline Insulation, Pakistan’s leading insulation technology company, dealing with polyethylene and polyurethane foam for all insulation needs.
As per the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, National Youth Council will consist of 24 youth members belonging to diverse fields.
Serving as Director HB motors Gujranwala, Pakistan best Hybrid vehicles dealing In Gujranwala.
Zain Ashraf Mughal graduated from UM in 2011 and returned to Pakistan armed with a goal to do good for the world.
Mr. Mughal meets Prince Harry and Miss Meghan Markle at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The royal family graces the prestigious event to highlight the important work done by the Commonwealth awards. This pool includes Mr. Mughal as the founder of SeedOut. -2018
Mr. Mughal is awarded the Commonwealth Youth Award for Excellence in Development Work in London at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. This honor was given to him for his work to help alleviate poverty in Pakistan by raising micro-entrepreneurs through the platform, Seedout. – 2018
Alhumdulillah by the Grace of Allah I was invited by Islamic Development Bank along with my parents to deliver the Laureate Lecture as Seed Out won the 2021 IsDB Prize for Impactful Achievement in Islamic Economics at the Islamic Development Bank Headquarters in Jeddah on 12 September 2022. Seed Out, Pakistan’s only non profit crowdfunding platform that has been conferred with Islamic Development Bank Award for Impactful achievement for the First time in 32 years of Islamic Economics prize history.
Alhamdulillah, Founder Seed Out Mr Zain Ashraf Mughal has been awarded with "HEROES OF GUJRANWALA" award from the Honorable President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi for his outstanding contribution in the social and economic development sector.
Forbes have published in the list of top 30 under 30 Asia 2019 as the only Pakistani to be featured in the category of Social Entrepreneurs.
Prince William speaks to Mr. Mughal and fellow Commonwealth awardees and philanthropists at the CHOGM 2018. Not only was His Highness impressed by the work Seedout is doing in order to alleviate poverty, but also wishes to replicate this platform in other Commonwealth countries. – 2018
Education is not a luxury but a necessity for every Pakistani. To achieve the next milestone , Seed Out has signed an MOU with The Learning Hub (TLH) , Gujranwala.
Seed Out held its 150th Disbursement Ceremony in Gujranwala on 18th December 2021 to celebrate its 8 years of impactful journey while raising 1600+ micro-entrepreneurs impacting around 8000 lives overall. Seed Out has enabled these micro-entrepreneurs to establish sustainable income streams and carve out a journey towards economic self-sufficiency. At the ceremony, 100 more micro-entrepreneurs entered into a new phase of their lives as they took a major step towards financial prosperity by strengthening their livelihoods. The event was held at Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce & Industry and was graced by the presence of Legendary Poet Prof. Anwar Masood as Chief Guest.
Mr. Mughal (University of Miami alumni) places 2nd in the University of Miami’s year-long Business Plan competition Out of several participants, he wins the prize in recognition of his work at SeedOut. – 2018
The University of Miami Alumni Associations honors Mr. Mughal with a spot on the coveted, ’30 under 30 list’. Chosen out of over 100 nominees (alumni of the University of Miami), Mr. Mughal was given this honor for his achievements as a young, social entrepreneur. His efforts to create a positive impact on society through his crowdfunding platform, ‘SeedOut’. earned him this award.
Recognized for his efforts in alleviating poverty with crowdfunding platform, ‘Seed Out’, Mr. Mughal has been shortlisted as 1 of 20 innovative, young minds for the prestigious, Commonwealth Youth Awards. He has been nominated for having proven his contributions towards a fairer and more prosperous future for the Commonwealth. – 2018
Blended in the theme of TEDxBNUTarogil that was to reach creative minds of Pakistan and honor them on enabling brilliant ideas on its forum, Mr. Mughal was the speaker on the event to share this journey. 2015
Prince William speaks to Mr. Mughal and fellow Commonwealth awardees and philanthropists at the CHOGM 2018. Not only was His Highness impressed by the work Seedout is doing in order to alleviate poverty, but also wishes to replicate this platform in other Commonwealth countries. – 2018
An Article by the ‘Express Tribune’ detailing Mr. Mughal’s achievement of becoming a finalist for the Commonwealth Youth Awards; an award that recognizes his philanthropic ventures into a more prosperous Pakistan. -2018
1st ever Pakistani to win Islamic Development Bank Prize for Impactful Achievement in Islamic Economics - 2021. This is the first time in the 32-years Islamic Economics history of the prize that Islamic Fintech start-ups take top spot, which in its previous form was known as the IsDB Prize in Islamic Economics, Banking, and Finance.
1st ever Pakistani to receive UN Champions of Change award, acclaimed as Champions of Pathfinders SDG16+ Champions of Change series acknowledged by United Nations and New York University
A unique initiative by Seed Out in collaboration with CCBPL “Zeenat Gari” made headlines after its launch. Female auto-rickshaw were empowered to drive in the city an endeavor to empower women by Mr. Mughal. – 2015
Mr. Mughal meets Prince Harry and Miss Meghan Markle at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The royal family graces the prestigious event to highlight the important work done by the Commonwealth awards. This pool includes Mr. Mughal as the founder of SeedOut. -2018
Mr. Mughal was awarded at Organisation of Pakistani Entrepreneurs Network for representing Seed Out inside North American community; recognizing poverty as a lethal disease in Pakistan and putting forward ways to solve this problem through micro-financing and creation of sustainable economic activity. – 2016
Serving in Young Alumni Leadership Council (YALC), an invitation-only group of the University of Miami’s young alumni leaders, nominated and selected to serve the University on behalf of the Young Alumni Program. (Only international student to be serving in the council in history) – 2017
He also judged at Kinnaird Business Week 2015. Kinnaird Business Week is an annual Event Organized Under Kinnaird Entrepreneurial Club
Impressed by Mr. Mughal’s achievements, Pakwired also featured a story on him as a prodigy in Pakistan – 2016
Mr. Mughal’s web app “Eccountant” was picked by google Pakistan at Startup BBQ for Google Entrepeneurs and was also a hit at start up web summit in Dublin. Mr. Mughal got the opportunity to represent Eccountant at the Dublin Web Summit 2014.
Another article published by DAWN news in 2017 drew attention to the different ways through which Seed Out is breaking the poverty trap in Pakistan
The Seed Out Polo Cup 2015 was a hit through the VIP lounges which attracted several sponsors. The VIP loungers enjoyed an exquisite brunch and an opportunity to network in a typical Lahore winter sunset.
Mr. Mughal also became the youngest speaker from Pakistan at OIC (Organization of Islamic Corporations) by giving a brilliant session on “HarnessingYouth Human Capital Capabilities” – 2015
After graduating from University of Miami, Mr. Mughal’s achievements have made him a proud alumni by getting featured in the University of Miami magazine 2017.
Seed Out’s model with its 100% transparency is one-of-a-kind. Daily Pakistan published an article on Seed Out and the mastermind behind it, Mr. Mughal, highlighting Seed Out’s unique features and Mr. Mughal’s innovative approach towards his organization – 2016
Pakistan’s premier technology platform, TechJuice, acknowledges Mr. Mughal as an award winner for the 2018 Commonwealth Youth Awards for ‘Excellence in Development Work’. – 2018
Dawn News was also attracted by Seed Out’s endeavors and published an engaging and heart-warming article about Seed Out’s efforts through the Polo Cup 2015.
The Seed Out Polo Cup 2015 was also featured on HappeningPK as the most happening event of the year.
With its one-of-a-kind polo match between USA and Pakistan, the Polo Cup 2015 made headlines in the news everywhere. The event was also featured in Pakistan’s biggest print media, The Nation.
The Seed Out Polo Cup 2015 was the perfect blend between glamour and entertainment for Polo lovers. Big donors like New Lahore City were more than happy by their association with the Polo Cup and have supported Seed Out’s endeavors since then.
Shweiki Media Founder and CEO Gal Shweiki—as president of the San Antonio Polo Club—participated in the massive fundraising polo match by Seed Out to benefit this non-profit organization.
The World Polo News also promoted Seed Out’s Polo Cup and published an article talking about Seed Out’s great endeavours.
Jönköping International Business School, Sweden published a chapter on Seed Out in their book, Contexualizing Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies and Developing Countries – 2017
Mr. Mughal was awarded The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Programme Award for Seed Out for leveraging interest free micro-financing through crowdfunding. – 2015
Determination will make you knock every door of opportunity and that’s why Mr. Mughal hosted Seed Out Polo cup 2015 between USA and Pakistan polo clubs with a crowd of 1500+ influential people of the country; all gathered for fundraising. With one polo cup, Seed Out managed to raise 33 entrepreneurs.
Mr. Mughal, a serial entrepreneur, represented Seed Out on Pakistan Islamic MicroFinance Network as a speaker. He enlightened the audience by sharing Seed Out journey. Seed Out has the privileged to be known as the world’s first crowd funding platform under his guidance. – 2015