During Q2 2021, Pakistani startups raised $81 million in disclosed funding across fourteen deals.
Compared to the 2nd quarter of 2020, it’s an increase of 364% from $17.5 million. And, compared to the 1st quarter of 2021, it is an increase of 312% from $20 million.
Deals were also up 180% YoY and 40% over the previous quarter.
For more numbers and a list of startups that raised funding, check out the blog post.
📣 Shout-Outs
Check out this newsletter about Startup Ecosystems from High Output Ventures curated and written by Zoya Matin. It is not Pakistan specific but covers all relevant news items that relate to Pakistan and then some. Plus, it’s fun to read.
Hamza Mahmood updated his non-exhaustive list of tech startups in Pakistan.
Shahriyar Hydri (Partner at Deosai Ventures) recently shared a Twitter thread and linked to a Google Sheet where you can find a list of VCs/Angels who have invested in Pakistan in the last 3 years. Get spamming.
Wonderful folks at Invest2Innovate are looking for a full-time Research Associate in Islamabad. Yes, it’s Invest2Innovate, not Idea2Innovate.
📰 Learn
SBP greenlights startup ‘convertible debt’ loans from foreign investors. It could be because foreign investors are pouring some serious cash in Pakistani startups. And they seem love FinTech startups. Payment gateway PayFast gets commercial license. Easypaisa introduces Open API for developers. Living the App-Style. Freight is the next frontier for startups. KTrade wants to be Pakistan’s Robinhood. Digital transactions continue to to gain momentum in Pakistan. The tug of war between MoITT and tech companies.
🧠 Read
Play the regional game, before going local. Love you Elon, but we’re coming for you! An interview with the founders of Conatural. Building people strategy at Airlift. A comprehensive profile of Jehan Ara, the founder of The Nest I/O. Can Pakistan double its IT industry with tech zones? Is Pakistan prime for a digital currency? The future of digital Pakistan needs less intervention and bold but achievable goals to produce an optimum outcome.
🎙️ Listen
All about Pakistan’s influencer economy featuring Babar Khan Javed.
📺 Watch
The story behind QisstPay from its founders Jordan Olivas and Syed Saad Ahmed. Increasing trend of Startups in Pakistan featuring Jehan Ara, Yusuf Hussain, and Omair Ansari (Abhi).
