In 2014, I started documenting the startup scene to learn about the ecosystem and make investments. Due to a life event, I had to put things on hold between 2016-2018.
I started this newsletter in 2019 to keep track of all things startup ecosystem, with a focus on funding. It was my way of getting back into the game. Now, I feel the time has come to write the next chapter.
But writing is not my forte. I am what the cool kids call a poser. It’s worked fine until now, but for what I envision with Techshaw, I will need smart and curious writers.
If you know someone who is passionate about startups and can write with flair, please encourage them to apply for the Staff Writer role. Interviews are ongoing, and I plan to onboard the new hire in October.
In the coming weeks, I will share more details on the future of Techshaw.
💰 Funding (disclosed)
$600,000
Trukkr, the Karachi-based freight marketplace startup, raised $600,000 in Seed funding from Anchorless and Kinnow VC.
$2,000,000
DigiKhata, the Faisalabad-based small business accounting startup, raised $2 million in Seed funding from MSA Capital, Shorooq Partners, SOSV, and +92 Ventures.
$3,500,000
Dastgyr, the Karachi-based B2B e-commerce marketplace startup, raised $3.5 million in Seed funding from SOSV, ADB Ventures, Seedstars, Edgebrook Partners, Zayani Venture Capital, and Tricap investments.
$1,000,000
Marham, the Lahore-based HealthTech marketplace startup, raised $1 million Seed funding from Indus Valley Capital.
$85,000,000
Airlift, the Lahore-based transportation and logistics startup, raised $85 million in Series B funding from 20 VC, Buckley Ventures, Quiet Capital, and Indus Valley Capital. This latest round of funding brings Airlift’s total funding to $109.2 million, making it the most well-funded startup in Pakistan.
$30,000,000
Bazaar, the Karachi-based B2B e-commerce marketplace startup, raised $30 million in Series A funding from Defy Partners, Wavemaker Partners, Acrew Capital, Saison Capital, Zayn Capital, B&Y Venture Partners, Indus Valley Capital, Global Founders Capital, Next Billion Ventures, and Alter Global. This brings Bazaar’s total funding to $37.8 million, making it the 2nd most well-funded startup in Pakistan.
🤫 Funding (undisclosed)
mKhata, the Lahore-based fintech startup, raised an undisclosed amount of pre-seed funding from 10Pearls Ventures.
💸 Acquisition
Abwaab, a Jordan-based EdTech startup, acquired Pakistan-based Edmatrix – a social learning platform – for an undisclosed amount.
📰 Learn
Maya, the Bangladesh-based HealthTech startup, launches in Pakistan. Saudi-based Sabbar, the flexible staffing startup, raises $4 million and plans to expand to Pakistan. The “Made in Pakistan” friendship breakup meme sells as NFT for $51,530. Online groceries are the new frontier. Pakistan’s “what to do with Crypto” problem. Beyond the startup funding hype. Is the ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ business model promising, or just another fad? Teaching Kiryana stores how to speak B2B and thrive in this new world of obscenely-funded startups. The biggest private sector IPO is in the works.
🧠 Read
A thriving tech ecosystem is taking shape in Pakistan. Some data points on E-commerce stores in Pakistan. The emergence of digital payments.
🎙️ Listen
Daftarkhwan fireside chat with Mina Salman, Co-Founder of Bagallery.
📺 Watch
Usman Gul discusses Airlift’s Series B on Bloomberg. Ariba Shahid, Mubariz Siddiqui, Yar Hiraj, Omer Salimullah and Amber Shamsi discuss digital payments.
