Two Russian startups, ANTRAKS and Celsus AI, took part in the pitch session at the Pakistan Investor Summit 2026 through a virtual connection, presenting their ventures to Mohammad Anwar Khan, Founder and President of Pak Angels. Celsus AI comes from the Skolkovo ecosystem, one of Russia’s best known innovation hubs. The startups were represented by Dina Yunikova, Head of Global Sales at ANTRAKS, and Nikita Nikolaev, Chief Marketing Officer at Celsus AI, who each spoke directly to the Pakistani investor audience from abroad and outlined what their companies are building.
The session added an international dimension to a summit that has otherwise centered on Pakistan’s own startup and investment community. By taking part virtually, the two teams were able to reach Pakistani investors without the cost and logistics of travel, a format that has become increasingly common for early stage companies looking to test interest in new markets. For Pak Angels, one of the country’s best known angel investor networks, the pitches offered a look at how startups from a different innovation system frame their products and their route to growth.
NIC Karachi facilitated the cross border opportunity, creating a platform through which global startups could engage with Pakistani investors and explore possible collaboration and growth. The incubator described the participation as a meaningful milestone in connecting international innovation with Pakistan’s investment ecosystem. The arrangement reflects a wider effort by Pakistan’s incubation network to move beyond hosting local ventures alone and to position the country as a place where foreign founders can find capital, contacts and market insight.
The session did not result in any announced investment or agreement, and both startups presented as part of an early conversation rather than a closed deal. Even so, exposure of this kind gives international founders a first point of contact with local investors, while giving Pakistani angels a wider pool of opportunities to evaluate. NIC Karachi operates with the backing of the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication Pakistan, Tech Destination Pakistan and Ignite National Technology Fund, together with private sector collaborators LMKT, LuckyOne Mall and Orbit Ventures.
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