Key Takeaways:
- New Policy Brief: The “Closing the Funding Gap for Startups in Pakistan” policy brief has been launched, outlining a roadmap for strengthening the country’s startup ecosystem.
- Collaborative Effort: The initiative is a joint effort by Telenor Pakistan, Invest2Innovate (i2i), and the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA), with support from Telenor Velocity, Ignite, and VISA.
- Strategic Reforms: The brief focuses on critical areas including regulatory and tax reforms, expanding funding access, creating exit pathways, and building a robust entrepreneurial support system to attract capital and accelerate growth.
Islamabad, Pakistan – A significant step toward bolstering Pakistan’s entrepreneurial landscape was taken today with the official launch of the Pakistan Startup Policy Brief – “Closing the Funding Gap for Startups in Pakistan.” The event, held at Telenor Pakistan’s headquarters in Gulberg Greens, Islamabad, was a collaborative effort championed by Telenor Pakistan, Invest2Innovate (i2i), and the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA), with additional support from Telenor Velocity, Ignite, and VISA.
The newly released policy brief presents a comprehensive reform roadmap designed to strengthen Pakistan’s burgeoning startup ecosystem. It draws upon global best practices and extensive consultations with various stakeholders. The brief prioritizes four high-impact areas:
- Enabling growth through regulatory and tax reforms.
- Expanding access to diverse and flexible funding instruments.
- Creating exit and liquidity pathways via capital markets.
- Building a robust entrepreneurial support ecosystem.
These targeted reforms aim to unlock both domestic and international capital, effectively bridge the existing funding gap, and accelerate sustainable growth within the startup sector.
The launch event saw attendance from key figures, including Syed Nadir Hussain Shah, Project Director IT and Telecom, Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC); Khurrum Ashfaque, CEO, Telenor Pakistan; Sarah Munir, CEO, Invest2Innovate; Hamza Saeed Orakzai, Chief Market Development Officer, STZA; Bilal Abbasi, General Manager, Ignite; Zeeshan Khattak, Commissioner SECP; Ali Aamir, Head of Government Engagement, Visa Pakistan; and senior representatives from partner and supporting organizations.
Speaking at the event, Khurrum Ashfaque, CEO Telenor Pakistan, emphasized the critical role of funding for young companies. “Funding is the lifeblood of young firms—timely, flexible funding helps startups scale, attract global partners, and tap into Pakistan’s growing digital economy. This Startup Policy Brief is a vital step toward building a strong and sustainable innovation ecosystem,” he stated.
Syed Nadir Hussain Shah, Project Director IT and Telecom, SIFC, also commended the joint initiative and reaffirmed continuous institutional support. “This policy brief presents actionable insights aligned with Pakistan’s economic priorities. SIFC is keen to facilitate collaborative efforts that spur innovation, attract investment and position Pakistan as a regional technology hub,” he added.
This initiative marks a crucial step in fostering a more supportive and robust environment for startups in Pakistan, aiming to propel the nation’s digital and economic future.
