ISLAMABAD – In a major step toward strengthening Pakistan’s startup ecosystem, Telenor Pakistan, Invest2Innovate (i2i), and the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) have jointly launched the Pakistan Startup Policy Brief titled “Closing the Funding Gap for Startups in Pakistan.”
Unveiled at Telenor Pakistan’s headquarters in Islamabad, the policy brief outlines a comprehensive reform roadmap focused on four key areas:
- Regulatory and tax reforms to support startup growth
- Diverse and flexible funding instruments
- Exit and liquidity pathways via capital markets
- A robust entrepreneurial support ecosystem
The initiative, backed by Telenor Velocity, Ignite, and Visa, aims to unlock domestic and international capital, enabling startups to scale and thrive in Pakistan’s digital economy.
Speaking at the event, Telenor Pakistan CEO Khurrum Ashfaque emphasized that timely, flexible funding is vital for startups to attract global partners and grow sustainably. SIFC’s Project Director Syed Nadir Hussain Shah also pledged institutional support, aligning the brief with Pakistan’s broader economic priorities.
