The University of Houston’s entrepreneurial initiatives received a significant boost with a generous donation from CSM Group’s Lakhany family.
The strategic focus on enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem at the university will be supported by the family’s gift, directed towards the planned Innovation Hub and research on economic inclusivity at the C. T. Bauer College of Business.
Mohammad Ali Lakhany, Emad Lakhany, and their family, renowned alumni and respected business leaders, have pledged their support to the university’s initiatives.
The Innovation Hub, a key component of this support, is slated to be constructed on the site of the current Technology Annex building, serving as the nucleus of innovation and entrepreneurship on the University of Houston campus.
In recognition of the family’s generous gift, the second floor of the Innovation Hub will be named the Salma and Hashim Yousuf Lakhany Entrepreneurship Floor.
This serves as a heartfelt tribute to their parents, who immigrated from Pakistan in the 1960s and built a successful business legacy in the United States.
The Lakhany family, through their company CSM Group, has been involved in restaurant franchising, telecommunications, hospitality, and real estate development.
CSM Group, initially starting with a single Del Taco restaurant, expanded its enterprise to include popular brands such as Hardee’s, Carl’s Jr., Popeyes, and ventured into the textile and banking industries.
The Lakhany family’s commitment to entrepreneurship and giving back is reflected in their generous contribution to the university’s initiatives.
Ali Lakhany, CEO of CSM Group and a UH alumnus, expressed the family’s excitement about supporting the Bauer College of Business and the University of Houston’s innovation and entrepreneurship endeavors.
He emphasized the profound belief in entrepreneurship instilled by their immigrant parents, stating that the contribution towards the Innovation Hub is an honor.
The family looks forward to the opportunities the space will offer to students, entrepreneurs, and innovators.
Emad Lakhany, Chief Development Officer of CSM Group and a UH graduate, highlighted the significance of having a floor named after their parents within the Innovation Hub.
He shared that the dedication serves as a beacon of inspiration, illuminating the path for aspiring entrepreneurs and commemorating their father’s journey to success.
The state-of-the-art Innovation Hub, scheduled to open in 2026, will encompass 75,000 square feet, providing an immersive environment for marketing ideas and conducting commercialized research.
The facility aims to enhance university-industry collaboration, fostering the development of creative solutions.
It will house various centers, including the top-ranked Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship, Musa and Khaleda Dakri Center for Economic Inclusion, Energy Transition Institute, a large maker space, innovation programs, and Presidential Frontier Faculty labs and offices.
In addition to supporting the Innovation Hub, the Lakhany family’s gift will establish an endowed research fund at the Musa and Khaleda Dakri Center for Economic Inclusion at Bauer College.
The Dakri Center, building on Bauer’s SURE℠ program, focuses on training students in business development while simultaneously empowering under-resourced entrepreneurs in the community.
Paul A. Pavlou, Dean of Bauer College, expressed gratitude for the Lakhany family’s generosity, highlighting their embodiment of entrepreneurship, giving back, and making a difference in the community.
The family’s contribution aligns with Bauer’s mission to provide world-class entrepreneurship education and foster economic growth by launching small businesses.
The Lakhany brothers were honored with the Entrepreneurship Award at the second annual Bauer Gala in February 2023.
The Bauer Gala, a signature event for the college, celebrates business excellence with alumni and leaders from across Houston.
The family’s gift is expected to strengthen Bauer’s resources and contribute to the success of the University of Houston and Houston’s economic growth.