Invest2Innovate (i2i)

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🚀 Calling All Backend Experts! Join us in optimizing a platform that connects startups & investors! Invest2Innovate’s Investor-Founder Discovery Platform (IFDP) is a game-changer for emerging markets, and we’re looking for a Backend Developer Consultant to enhance its performance, security, and automation. 🔹 Analyze & optimize backend architecture (WordPress, database, APIs) 🔹 Enhance security & scalability for seamless user experience 🔹 Provide technical guidance & implement best practices 📍 Flexible consultant role | Remote/Hybrid 💡 Bonus if you have experience with startup & investor platforms! Ready to take IFDP to the next level? Apply now & shape the future of startup funding! 👇 https://lnkd.in/dwdvsiJV Zara Laeeque | Ayesha Jamal | Farwa Zahid | Duaa Asif

🤖 AI Agents Are Taking Over—Are You Ready for the Shift? 🚀 AI agents are no longer just a concept—they’re securing billions in funding and transforming industries at lightning speed. Investment surged from $1.3B in 2023 to $5.7B in 2024, proving that AI-powered automation is the future. 🏆 Big players are making moves: ✅ Google’s Project Mariner is redefining travel and shopping. ✅ Perplexity’s AI agent simplifies holiday shopping. ✅ Asana envisions AI agents as virtual co-workers. Yet, challenges remain: Can AI agents fully integrate into legacy systems? Will they require multiple specialized models to succeed? With AI agents expected to generate $52B by 2030, now is the time to pay attention. 🔍 Read the full article below to explore how AI agents are reshaping the future. ⬇️ Sarah Munir | Ayesha Jamal | Farwa Zahid | Duaa Asif | Muhammad Essa

Want to start angel investing but don’t know where to begin? 🚀 i2i's Angel Investing 101 is a hands-on workshop for aspiring angel investors navigating the early-stage investment landscape. Learn key investment principles, how to evaluate startups, and build a strong investment strategy from a global expert, Maria Carolina Romero. 📍 COLABS, Karachi (invite-only) 🗓 April 19 | 12:30 PM - 7:30 PM 🚀 Apply now: https://lnkd.in/dvkezNVt Supported by COLABS & YayyCheese 🎉 Sarah Munir | Aleena Khan | Saba Kalsoom | Laiba Ahmad | Duaa Asif | Miraal Imran | Omar Shah

🚀 Ready to make your first startup investment? Angel Investing isn’t just about capital—it’s about strategy. If you’re a high-net-worth individual with $10,000 or more to invest, this hands-on, invite-only workshop will equip you with the skills to navigate the early-stage investment landscape. Limited spots available—registrations will be shortlisted. Led by Maria Carolina Romero, an international coach and Early-Stage Investing Expert, this workshop will give you the tools to: ✅ Understand key angel investing concepts (valuation, equity, SAFE, etc.) ✅ Develop an investment strategy—portfolio diversification, sector focus & funding stages ✅ Evaluate startups—business model, market potential, financials & traction ✅ Engage in a real-world startup assessment & network with experienced investors 💡 This isn’t theory—it’s a practical deep dive with a global expert who has built investor communities and entrepreneurship ecosystems across Europe, MENA, and LATAM. 📅 April 19, 2025 (Saturday) | ⏰ 12:30 PM - 7:30 PM PKT 📍 COLABS, Karachi 🔗 Apply now for a chance to attend: https://lnkd.in/dvkezNVt A huge thank you to our community partners, COLABS, for providing the space and support to bring this event to life, and our food partner, YayyCheese, for fueling our attendees! ⚠️ Angel investing is high-risk, high reward. Learn how to do it right! Sarah Munir, Aleena Khan, Saba Kalsoom, Laiba Ahmad, Duaa Asif, Miraal Imran #AngelInvesting

🚀 Join i2i as an Insights & Editorial Lead! 📝✨ Are you a data-driven storyteller with a passion for research and editorial excellence? At Invest2Innovate (i2i), we’re looking for a self-starter who can turn complex insights into compelling narratives that shape Pakistan’s startup ecosystem. • Lead research projects, craft high-impact content, and drive thought leadership • Transform data into engaging stories, reports, and multimedia formats • Own i2i’s content strategy, ensuring editorial quality & audience relevance 📍 Location: Islamabad/Karachi (Hybrid) Be part of a dynamic, innovative team at the forefront of Pakistan’s startup landscape! Apply now: https://lnkd.in/dDWYRtes Sarah Munir | Ayesha Jamal | Zara Laeeque | Farwa Zahid | Duaa Asif

Validating the Market in KSA: Lessons from PayPeople’s CEO 🚀 Expanding to Saudi Arabia? Market validation isn’t just a step—it’s the foundation of your success. Mian Muhammad Awais, CEO of PayPeople AI-Powered One-Stop HR solution, shares his battle-tested strategies for Pakistani startups looking to break into the KSA market without burning capital too soon. Here’s how to de-risk your expansion: ✅ Start remotely, build trust first – Before setting up shop, serve your first Saudi clients remotely. Tap into LinkedIn outreach, strategic partnerships, or Joint Ventures (JVs) to white-label your solution under a local brand. ✅ Test in Pakistan before committing – Launch a pilot program at home to refine your product, prove the problem, and ensure demand. If your solution thrives in a similar customer base, it’s more likely to succeed in KSA. ✅ Cultural fit isn’t optional – KSA’s business landscape is built on trust and relationships. Rushing in without understanding local norms can backfire. Invest time in networking and industry events to build credibility. ✅ Secure validation before MISA – The MISA license allows 100% foreign ownership, but at a significant cost. Before committing, validate demand and secure early traction to justify the investment. 💡 Saudi Arabia’s post-COVID transformation has unlocked massive opportunities across industries—but only for startups that take a calculated approach. 👉 Applications for i2iScale to KSA are on rolling basis. Apply Here: https://lnkd.in/dJGb6QGX 🔎 How are you validating your market before expanding? Let’s discuss in the comments! ⬇️ Aleena Khan | Laiba Ahmad | Saba Kalsoom | Duaa Asif

🚀 Why Saudi Arabia is the Next Big Market for Your Startup We hosted a game-changing session with Emon Shakoor, Founder & CEO of Blossom Accelerator, breaking down why KSA is a powerhouse for startups looking to scale. Here’s why this market is too big to ignore: ✅Fastest-growing G20 economy🌍 ✅Highest purchasing power in MENA💰 ✅75% of the population is under 35—digitally native & ready to adopt📱 ✅Unprecedented startup & investor momentum under Vision 2030🚀 For Pakistani founders, now is the time to enter a market that’s scaling fast and rewarding innovation like never before. Don’t miss out on our next events—join the waitlist now! https://lnkd.in/dRBrJe8H Blossom Accelerator | Emon Shakoor إيمان عبد الشكور | Laiba Ahmad | Aleena Khan | Saba Kalsoom

Cracking B2B Sales in Saudi? It’s About Who You Know, Not Just What You Sell. Selling to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Saudi Arabia isn’t as simple as running ads. According to Omar Parvez Khan, Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) & Co-Founder, Metric - Max CF-AI, success in B2B means playing by local rules. 💡Start with MISA – Getting a license from the Saudi Ministry of Investment (MISA) is your first step. But to truly operate, you’ll need a Saudi Commercial Registration (CR)—without it, many organizations and customers won’t work with you. 💡Arabization isn’t optional – Your platform must have an Arabic interface, and compliance with ZATCA (Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority) regulations is a must. 💡Integrate or be ignored – Saudi’s business landscape is built on localized B2B software. If your product doesn’t seamlessly integrate with existing solutions, adoption will be tough. 💡Forget cold outreach—relationships drive sales – Performance marketing isn’t as effective in Saudi’s B2B space. Deals happen through networks, referrals, and trust. 🚀We’re backing promising startups ready to scale to Saudi Arabia. If that’s you, apply now—applications are on rolling basis now! https://lnkd.in/dJGb6QGX Aleena Khan | Laiba Ahmad | Saba Kalsoom | Duaa Asif #i2iScale #ScalingToKSA

We’re excited to welcome Ayesha Jamal as our new Head of Growth and Innovation at i2i! With over 10 years of experience in marketing communications, edtech, and project management, Ayesha has a proven track record of designing impactful learning solutions and driving strategic initiatives. In addition to her role at i2i, she also serves as the Director of Strategy & Planning at Cirrus Pakistan, where she has led projects integrating media, technology, and instructional design to enhance skill development and knowledge sharing. Her experience working with organizations like UNDP, Asian Development Bank (ADB), British Council, UNICEF, USAID, and many more, speaks to her expertise in strategic planning, program management, and fostering innovation across diverse sectors. We’re thrilled to have Ayesha on board and can’t wait to see the impact she’ll make at i2i! Welcome, Ayesha! 🎉