The National Incubation Center (NIC) Peshawar, in partnership with Invest2Innovate (i2i), has successfully completed Invest Lab, a pivotal three-day investor education workshop designed to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). This milestone initiative aims to address a critical funding gap for startups in the region by fostering local capital mobilization and professionalizing early-stage investment practices.
According to the Pakistan Startup Ecosystem Report (PSER) 2024, startup funding across Pakistan experienced a 42% decline, underscoring the urgent need to activate domestic capital sources. Invest Lab responded directly to this challenge by equipping local investors with the essential knowledge and skills required for early-stage investing. The program focused on providing frameworks for startup evaluation, deal structuring, due diligence, and portfolio management tailored to emerging markets like KP.
The workshop featured expert guidance from Maria Carolina Romero, an international authority on early-stage investments, and Mubariz Siddiqui, a prominent Pakistani legal expert on venture financing. Their sessions offered participants deep insights into the mechanics of venture deals, term sheet negotiations, and strategic investment approaches. The event also benefited from thought-provoking contributions by Misbah Naqvi, Co-Founder and General Partner at i2i Ventures, who shared practical insights into Pakistan’s evolving venture capital landscape, and Shehryar Hydri, Managing Partner at Endeavor Pakistan, who highlighted the critical role of investor syndication during times of global funding contraction.
One of the most significant outcomes of Invest Lab was the formation of KP’s first Angel Syndicate. This syndicate unites local investors to pool capital, share deal flow, and collaboratively assess investment opportunities. By fostering smarter, collective investment decisions, the syndicate paves the way for more effective funding of startups within the province.
Simultaneously, NIC Peshawar and i2i launched KP’s first Business Angel Network, institutionalizing investor engagement in the region. The network plans to host quarterly deal-sharing sessions, facilitate peer-led due diligence, and provide ongoing education to support the growth and professionalization of angel investing in KP. This network promises to create a more vibrant and connected investment community.
Illum Khan, COO of Evamp & Saanga and Chairman of NIC Peshawar’s Strategic Council, described the launch as “a small but significant step in the right direction,” emphasizing the importance of building a strong investor community to fuel KP’s next generation of startups. He expressed optimism about the journey ahead as the ecosystem becomes more investment-ready.
Maria Carolina Romero praised the initiative, stating, “The creation of an angel syndicate and a dedicated network ensures that the startup ecosystem will be strengthened, enabling startups to get the right funding to grow and scale faster with the right support behind them.”
Asim Ishaq Khan, Project Director at NIC Peshawar, highlighted the broader vision behind Invest Lab: “This is a strategic leap forward in mobilizing local capital for local innovation. By enabling the formation of the Angel Syndicate and launching the Business Angel Network, we are building an investment ecosystem that believes in KP’s entrepreneurial future.”
Sarah Munir, CEO of Invest2Innovate, added, “This collaboration marks accelerated growth for startups in KP. With structures like the Angel Syndicate and Business Angel Network now in place, startups will have greater access to resources and mentorship necessary to compete on a global stage.”
The success of Invest Lab signals NIC Peshawar’s commitment to enhancing investment readiness, not only for startups but for the broader ecosystem. By bridging local investors with innovative ventures, NIC Peshawar is setting a new standard for scalable and sustainable entrepreneurial growth in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
