The highly anticipated +92Disrupt conference was held in Karachi on December 14 and 15, bringing together top industry leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, and successful startup CEOs. Organized by Katalyst Labs with support from various sponsors, the event aimed to bridge the gap between established founders and emerging startups, fostering innovation in Pakistan’s expanding tech ecosystem.
Over the course of two days, the conference delved into key sectors like AI fintech, investment opportunities, and more, providing a platform for business leaders, startup founders, and innovators to exchange insights and collaborate. It also featured impactful panel discussions on technology, gaming, and entrepreneurship, offering attendees valuable takeaways to advance their ventures.
A major feature of the event was the “office hours” sessions, which allowed emerging startup leaders to engage directly with investors and pitch their ideas. This provided invaluable opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to secure potential funding. Investors’ roundtables were held throughout the event, further strengthening connections within the startup community.
The conference opened with a welcome note and an inspiring session by Omer Khan, founder of PostEx, who shared insights into his company’s journey in transforming logistics and fintech in Pakistan. His talk provided valuable lessons on overcoming industry challenges and seizing opportunities in these growing sectors.
A notable panel session, “The Future is Gamified,” explored how gamification is revolutionizing industries, sparking lively debates on its potential to enhance human-computer interactions. Another engaging session featured Monis Rahman, CEO of Rozee.pk, who discussed how AI is optimizing recruitment processes and transforming Pakistan’s job market.
One of the key highlights of day one was “AI Challenges 2024: The Final Pitches Showdown,” where innovative startup finalists pitched their groundbreaking ideas to a panel of investors from Securiti. The session concluded with the team from AERA securing PKR 2.1 million in funding.
The conference also featured a thought-provoking session with Jawwad Farid, Professor of Practice at IBA Karachi, who explored the ethical and societal implications of AI in his session, “Can Machines Think?” Additionally, leading startups like Shorooq and Colabs took the stage to share insights into their operations and growth strategies.
A standout session, “TikTok for Impact,” examined the role of social media in raising awareness and promoting educational initiatives in Pakistan. The co-founders of ConnectHear also shared their mission to promote inclusivity and accessibility in the tech industry, emphasizing diversity in Pakistan’s technology landscape.
The conference saw the active participation of young innovators, including Asad J. Malik, founder of JADU, who gave a captivating talk on augmented reality (AR) and its potential to revolutionize mobile gaming and the film industry. His immersive AR experience provided attendees with a glimpse into the future of entertainment.
Hashim Syed, AI Growth and GTM Lead at Google, also took the stage to explore how AI moves from innovative concepts to real-world applications. He highlighted Google’s role in advancing AI technologies and supporting startups through its initiatives. Aasim Wajid, Group Head of Strategy at Bank Alfalah, provided insights into the bank’s strategic initiatives driving growth and engagement.
Throughout the conference, various workshops offered participants practical knowledge and strategies for navigating Pakistan’s evolving business and innovation landscape. The event served as a dynamic platform for entrepreneurs, tech leaders, and investors, contributing to the growth of Pakistan’s rapidly developing startup ecosystem.
