Connecting the Dots: i2iCommunity is here!
Invest2Innovate (i2i)
An Ecosystem Designed to Foster Innovation, Amplify Impact, and Fuel Growth for Startups!
Hello Community,
We are back with the second edition of the i2i Ecosystem Newsletter on LinkedIn! The excitement and response to our first edition last month were unparalleled, and we are thrilled to continue bringing you the latest updates and insights. In this edition, we explore the fintech renaissance, community-building efforts, and the rise of IT, alongside other exciting developments. Let's dive in and connect the dots within our vibrant ecosystem!
TL;DR:
The Fintech Renaissance
The fintech space is experiencing a resurgence. Recent funding rounds secured by KalPay and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) 's approval of SadaPay 's acquisition have rekindled investor interest amidst ongoing challenges.
This movement has sparked hope for further deal flows in the second half of the year, with many startups already in negotiations with potential investors.
From the Desk of i2i 🔔
✍️ Friday Feature
Are compliance regulations keeping you up at night? Don't worry, we're here to help. In our latest Friday Feature, we simplify the complex regulatory landscape for startup founders and entrepreneurs. Our goal is to make it easier for you to navigate and ensure your business stays on the right track.
🚀Accelerate Your Startup's Growth with Our Growth Readiness Workshop!
Ready to accelerate your startup's growth and connect with industry leaders? Join our Growth Readiness Workshop, a dynamic 5-day evening program tailored for growth-stage startups. Gain exclusive access to tailored workshops, connect with top-tier Readiness Trainers and network with other startups.
Don't miss out—sign up now before the deadline!
✍️ The Blog Post
Dive into our latest blog post, where we dissect the barriers and uncover the immense potential that awaits when women are given equal access to financial tools and resources. Explore "The Gender Gap in Financial Inclusion – What do the Numbers Say" and discover the transformative impact of bridging this gap.
🎭 Curating Communities: Startup Spotlight is Here!
In May, the i2i Community launched its inaugural event, Startup Spotlight, in Islamabad. Founders, investors, corporate partners, mentors, and key figures from the startup ecosystem gathered to pitch ideas, identify growth opportunities, and leverage expertise from industry veterans. At the event, we introduced our flagship product, the Investor Founder Discovery Platform (IFDP), a pioneering centralized data repository that facilitates seamless search and discovery between investors and founders.
🍃 Our Take on The Cleantech Discourse
Our CEO, Sarah O. Munir , recently participated in a panel at the Pakistan Private Energy Sector Project's Roadshow, organized by the Private Financing Advisory Network (PFAN) . The discussion centered around Pakistan's burgeoning cleantech ecosystem, diving deep into its challenges, opportunities, and strategies to foster further growth. Other panelists included Peter Storey and Naveen Ahmed, CFA from PFAN Advisor Networking Group , Hammad Umer from Insitor , Danish Elahi from Elahi Group of Companies , Shehzad Abdullah from JS Bank and Rohma Labeeb from Accelerate Prosperity - An AKDN Initiative .
Recommended by LinkedIn
Looking for more insights into this emerging vertical? Check out our previous blogs:
🚀 We’re Growing
We're thrilled to welcome Zara Laeeque to our team as our new Operations Excellence Lead!
Zara brings a wealth of experience from corporate giants like Nestle and Meta, as well as from the dynamic startup ecosystem, having previously worked with Daftarkhwan. Her journey has equipped her with an in-depth understanding of various company structures and processes. But what truly sets Zara apart is her unwavering passion for making a real impact and empowering others. She's driven by the desire to optimize systems and elevate experiences, always with a focus on people, processes, and culture.
Connect with Zara here!
May 2024 - Last Month in News!
💰Deal flow updates
KalPay does it “Aaj”. The buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) platform has successfully secured an early-stage funding round exceeding a million dollars. Led by Orbit Startups and joined by investors such as ⚡ SUPER CAPITAL ⚡ and BANSEA , among others, this combined equity and debt round marks the end of almost a five month long funding drought.
🔊Industry news and highlights
Raqami Islamic Digital Bank and TASDEEQ have partnered to boost credit inquiry capabilities by utilizing Tasdeeq's extensive database and alternative credit data sources. The collaboration targets digital banks, aiming to enhance the industry with innovative credit assessment methods.
Through pilot projects, they will showcase the effectiveness of these advanced credit enquiry techniques, setting new benchmarks and illustrating the practical use of alternative credit data in improving credit evaluation processes.
Pakistan’s IT sector is on a remarkable streak with the monthly IT exports rising to $310 million in April 2024. This marks the highest level of technology exports recorded in a month for the country. The sector has gained momentum on the back of macro-political stability alongside policy consistency and a stable rupee.
Sarkhail Shahid Bawany wany from Abhi (YC S21) was acknowledged for enabling workers to access emergency cash. Adeel Abid , Aizaz Nayyer , and Ali Raza , the co-founders of Linkstar , were recognized for offering freelancers free portfolio websites.
Aleena Nadeem of EduFi was commended for her efforts in supporting Pakistanis with financing their university education through a "Study Now, Pay Later" model. While Kasra Zunnaiyyer , co-founder and CTO of Trukkr , was honored for developing a management platform for Pakistan's logistics industry.
📖What we are Reading/Listening to
And that wraps up our monthly roundup!
Have any thoughts, suggestions, or topics you'd love to see covered in our future publications? We'd love to hear from you! Drop us a line 💌 and don't forget to share this with your network to spread the word!