KPMG Venture Pulse Q2 2026 reveals shifting global VC dynamics as AI-led investments dominate funding, while Pakistan startups adapt to tighter capital conditions and focus on efficiency.

Regional instability, macroeconomic shifts and changing investor strategies are reshaping venture finance across MENAP as startups adapt to a more selective capital environment.

Saudi digital payments company barq has closed a $329.5 million Series A at a valuation of $1.85 billion. Noon Investments, Sohar International Bank and M20 Fund took part in the round. barq plans to spend the money on new products, on running its operations more efficiently, and on moving into markets outside Saudi Arabia. Farooq now runs barq PK, the group's Pakistani arm, as Managing Director.

ORIC SZABIST University held a Seed Money Cheque Distribution and Commercialization Session, awarding winning teams seed funding and introducing them to incubation support through ZEN Business Incubation Centre.

Sidra Qasim, a Pakistani founder who co-founded Markhor and Atoms, has built a $36 million sneaker startup backed by Kleiner Perkins after growing up in a small town in Okara.

Human in the AI Loop will host a Build session featuring engineering leaders from Qualcomm, Google DeepMind, Waymo and Xapa discussing what it takes to put AI into production, on August 26, 2026.

Elevate held a session featuring mentors from S&P Global, including data, product and software development professionals sharing insights to help shape future professionals.

CEGA is inviting animators to transform Pakistani heritage into short animations for Threads of Independence, with submissions open until August 12 and a showcase in Karachi and Lahore on August 13.

NIC Faisalabad will host a LinkedIn Live session with Jawad Amin, CEO of Innovative Advisory, on managing teams, partners and expectations as founders transition into leaders on August 11, 2026.

Emrecan Kerçek, Principal at Plug and Play, shared his reflections on the founders and pitches at NICAT's recent Investor Summit, noting the potential of Pakistan's startup ecosystem.

NIC Hyderabad joined the Just Energy Transition Café panel organised by CSSP, with Mohcin Kareem of Pak Bio Energy and GM Soomro discussing renewable energy and climate tech opportunities for Pakistan's youth.

NIC Karachi will host She Builds Pakistan, featuring WCCIK leaders Sahibzadi Mahin Khan, Shabista Bakhtiar and Hiba Rizvi discussing women entrepreneurs driving Pakistan's economic independence.