Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs of North America

The Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs of North America (OPEN) is a not-for-profit organization, whose sole focus is the promotion of entrepreneurship and professional growth. OPEN is a secular and non-political organization. 
Background.
OPEN was formed on March 22, 1998 in Boston by a group of Pakistani American entrepreneurs and corporate executives. The purpose of the organization is to create a platform to help promote entrepreneurship and assist professionals in their careers and to mentor them to achieve their aspirations. Imran Qidwai came up with the idea, Tahir Chaudhry coined the organization's name. Feisal A Ahmad designed the logo. The founding team consisted of Imran H Khan as President, Tahir H Chaudhry as Secretary, Iftikhar A Ahmad as Treasurer, Board Members were Hassan Ahmed, Salman Akhtar, M. Salahuddin Khan and Imran Qidwai. OPEN was registered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on May 5, 2000 (more on http://open-boston.org/history/). Additional cities/areas joined; New York, Silicon Valley and Washington DC. The organization then decided to become a National Organization thus "OPEN National" was formed. Soon after it was decided not to limit it to US but expand the reach globally thus Open National was renamed as "OPEN Global" and its charter was defined. The first OPEN location was converted to the first chapter Boston, MA with New York, Silicon Valley and Washington DC as other chapters. Houston was the next chapter that was formed. Globally, OPEN now has 14 chapters and over 2,000 members with growing chapters and members. The organization consists of corporate professionals, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, banking professionals, social leaders and academics.
Chapters.
Globally, at the end of 2020 OPEN has 14 chapters Atlanta, Boston/New England, Chicago, Houston, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, London, New York, Seattle, Silicon Valley, Southern California, Toronto and Washington DC.
OPEN Karachi is the first OPEN chapter outside US which was launched in the later half of 2011. OPEN launched its chapter in Lahore, Pakistan in 2013.
An OPEN chapters has at its core a Charter membership comprising Pakistanis in the areas of finance, technology, telecommunications, biotech and consulting in North America. OPEN regularly organizes events pertaining to current issues in business and entrepreneurship. In addition to OPEN's Charter Members, OPEN includes executive committees of seasoned entrepreneurs and professionals from a multitude of industries and professions that help plan, coordinate, and execute OPEN's mission. Each chapter's charter members and executive committee members are joined by General Members who are dues-paying members of OPEN that participate in and contribute to OPEN's events and services.
OPEN Annual Forum - keynote speakers.
Since its establishment in 1998 has had many distinguished speakers. Since 2004, OPEN Annual Forum, hosted by Silicon Valley has had distinguished speakers including former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, Political Figure & Cricket World Cup winner (and now the current Primer Minister) Imran Khan, venture capitalist from California, Mike Moritz and former Governor of Vermont, Howard Dean.
Major Events & Flood Relief Work.
OPEN conducted a successful $50,000 Business Plan Competition event.
OPEN raised and collected nearly $500,000 for flood victims in Pakistan.