The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and the Association of Private Sector Universities of Pakistan hosted an entrepreneurship forum on the eighteenth of August, twenty twenty six, bringing together around one hundred and fifty entrepreneurs, startup founders, university incubation directors, and innovation leaders at the U.S. Educational Foundation in Pakistan Auditorium. The event, titled the SEE Global Economic, Entrepreneurship and Investment Readiness Forum, centred on strengthening links between Pakistani businesses and international markets, with particular attention given to opportunities for Pakistani startups to enter the United States market.
Heidi Smith, Director of Public Engagement at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, opened the forum with welcome remarks before the event moved into presentations covering U.S. Pakistan commercial ties and resources available to Pakistani companies looking to expand internationally. Professor Iqrar, Chairman of the Punjab Higher Education Commission, formally opened the forum, stressing the need to strengthen entrepreneurship and innovation across Pakistan’s higher education sector as a foundation for broader economic growth.
The programme also featured TED style talks from academic and research leaders, including Professor Doctor Sumaira Rehman, Rector of Superior University, who discussed university industry collaboration and the role entrepreneurship plays in creating opportunities for young people. Air Vice Marshal Doctor Rizwan Riaz, Pro Rector of National University of Sciences and Technology, shared his perspective on research commercialisation, emphasising the importance of translating research and innovation into practical economic opportunities rather than keeping such work confined to academic settings.
American entrepreneur and angel investor Scott Fox delivered the forum’s keynote address virtually, offering practical guidance on entering the U.S. market and building ventures capable of attracting investor interest. Fox also addressed the importance of stronger governance and transparency for startups seeking access to U.S. aligned capital and investor networks, giving Pakistani entrepreneurs concrete guidance on what international investors typically look for when evaluating companies from emerging markets.
Smith noted that the United States remains a global leader in entrepreneurship, venture capital, and emerging technologies, pointing to Silicon Valley and the country’s progress in artificial intelligence and digital innovation as examples. She added that while Pakistan holds significant talent among its entrepreneurs and researchers, stronger connections and a better understanding of international markets remain necessary for that talent to translate into global competitiveness. According to Smith, connecting Pakistani entrepreneurs with U.S. investors and innovation networks could improve their standing internationally while supporting Pakistan’s broader innovation economy in the years ahead. The forum concluded with a networking reception hosted by the U.S. Embassy, giving entrepreneurs, academics, investors, and ecosystem partners further opportunity to discuss future collaboration and investment prospects.
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