Invest2Innovate (i2i), a pioneering force in Pakistan’s entrepreneurial landscape, launched its latest endeavor, the i2i Ecosystem, on February 28th. Backed by a $500,000 commitment from the Visa Foundation, this project aims to revolutionize Pakistan’s startup scene with three key components: i2iScale, Investor Founder Discovery Platform, and an integrated community.
The launch event featured insightful panel discussions and keynote addresses, offering attendees a deep dive into the i2i Ecosystem and its offerings. Stakeholders from across the ecosystem convened to explore the power of community and address challenges confronting Pakistani startups, such as data fragmentation and resource accessibility.
Central to the initiative is i2iScale, a bespoke accelerator designed to provide tailored guidance for the growth and expansion of select startups. Sarah Munir, CEO of Invest2Innovate, emphasized the initiative’s inclusive nature, stating, “The i2i Ecosystem strives to foster an equitable startup landscape in Pakistan, unlocking growth and driving sustainable change.”
Founders from i2i Ventures portfolio startups shared insights on shaping Pakistan’s innovation landscape, while an investor panel discussed investment trends for 2024. Kalsoom Lakhani, Co-founder of i2i Ventures, highlighted the initiative’s focus on addressing key gaps faced by founders, aiming to make more startups investment-ready.
The event also introduced i2i’s Investor-Founder Discovery Platform, aiming to streamline founder-investor matching and alleviate biases in funding. Community Engagement is another crucial aspect, fostering collaboration among startups, investors, mentors, and industry stakeholders.
Umar Khan, Visa’s Country Manager for Pakistan & Afghanistan, underscored Visa’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s startup ecosystem through the i2i Ecosystem initiative.
As Pakistan’s startup scene flourishes, the i2i Ecosystem emerges as a proactive solution to address critical gaps. With tailored support and a collaborative approach, it aims to unleash the full potential of Pakistan’s tech-savvy youth.
