technology
Pakistani Investors: Invest in Local Technology Startups NOW!
I believe that the technology entrepreneurship ecosystem in Pakistan is at a tipping point! There are a number of factors at play that make Pakistan so ripe for both local and international investors looking to invest in the tech space: Quickly growing internet adoption currently estimated to be 25 million internet users and 15 million mobile […]
Sizing up Pakistan IT Industry Exports and Domestic Spend
I recently came across an Associated Press of Pakistan story in a leading national newspaper which was based on a document sourced from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications (MoIT&T). The title was Pakistan IT services exports rose 97.34% in the last five years. It further claimed that the Ministry claimed in the National […]
Technology Business Valuations – A Hurdle to VC Deals in the Developing Markets
This article is a follow-on installment of one of my previous posts: Venture Capital and Angel Investing in Developing Countries – Challenges and Opportunities. If you haven’t read that one yet, please do so for additional context and background. Ask prospective local investors for a $200K investment at $800K pre-money valuation and see the jaws […]
Lifting the YouTube Ban in Pakistan – A Possible Solution [Updated]
It has been close to 11 months since YouTube was banned by the Pakistani government following the release of a ‘disgusting and reprehensible’ video titled Innocence of Muslims on the Google owned web property. On one hand, the content of the video inflamed the sensitivities of the predominantly Muslim populace and consequently, seemingly, justifies the […]
7 Wrong Reasons to Pursue Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is suddenly the coolest thing around. Even children who once wanted to grow up to be engineers, doctors, pilots and policemen, now want to become entrepreneurs who can “revolutionize” the world with their “innovative” products and services. Students are “pivoting” on their homework assignments and “A/B testing” the sports they want to excel at. My […]
46 drone strikes, 652 bomb blasts, 4 startups, 1 year
A recent WIRED Danger Room article by Spencer Ackerman highlighted the resurgence of U.S. Drone campaign over Pakistan in a continuing War on Terror. While it recounts the recent casualties directly associated with the drone strikes, it leaves a lot to be told of a nation’s story that is as heartening as it is heartrending and as […]
A strategic integrated program to promote IT Entrepreneurship in Punjab
Entrepreneurship is the backbone of any economy and Pakistan’s is no different. We are seemingly a nation of entrepreneurs – from a small-scale farmer in Bhakkar to businessmen like Mian Mansha and Syed Babar Ali – brimming with people who “build capital through risk and initiative” and fit the definition of the term as per […]
A Framework for Providing Capital Access to Startups in Pakistan
One of the action items from the Meet and Greet Session with the Chief Minister of Punjab held on July 11, 2012 for the local technology entrepreneurs was the development of a framework to facilitate access to capital for young start-ups in the province. Two days after the meeting, Mr. Umar Saif, Chairman Punjab Information […]
Promoting Technology Entrepreneurship in Pakistan
Yesterday I helped organize a “Meet & Greet” event with the Chief Minister of Punjab for technology entrepreneurs primarily based out of Lahore. Most of the entrepreneurs were young leaders of small startups in the web and mobile application and games development space. A few of the seasoned tech entrepreneurs participated also.