Eight startups from Pakistan made it to the startup pitching competition “Rocket Fuel” semi-finals. The competitions were held at LEAP, a global technology convention in Riyadh, in which 90 selected startups from thirteen member countries of the Digital Cooperation Organization participated.
Ignite National Technology Fund participated in LEAP in partnership with the Ministry of IT and Telecom. In contrast, eight startups from National Incubation Centers in different cities participated in the Pakistani startup’s competition, including VALEEM from the Education Department, retail technology startup DigiKhata, financial tech Investors Lounge, education technology startup Blockship, cleantech Datini Fibers, looking to grow the agriculture sector AgriDunya and property startup Gridizen.
Secretary General DCO Dimah Ilyah, while appreciating the Pakistani startups participating in the competition, said that we are happy with the presence of Pakistani startups on the platform of LEAP and are grateful for their partnership and cooperation. He said we are committed to providing partnership and support for Pakistani startups to increase their market penetration in the Middle East.
Asim Shehryar, CEO of Ignite, expressed his happiness in reaching the semi-finals of Pakistani startups and said that NIC is proud that 4 out of 8 Pakistani startups have reached the semi-finals of the pitching competitions. He said that LEAP provided an effective global platform for Pakistani startups to pitch their business ideas and products to foreign investors. Foreign investment in Pakistani startups in the last two years is evidence of confidence in the growth potential of foreign investment in Pakistan, especially startups related to e-commerce, fintech, and retail technologies are gaining global attention.
