Voice of Startup Pakistan, co-founded by Sadaf Altaf Lohya and Bilal Afridi, has officially signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Pakistani Professionals Community (SPPC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. SPPC, founded by Faysal A. Ghauri, serves as a platform for Pakistani professionals in Saudi Arabia, and this partnership is set to strengthen the community’s business and innovation landscape.
The MoU formalizes a collaboration aimed at creating opportunities for entrepreneurship, business growth, and professional development within the Pakistani diaspora in Saudi Arabia. By fostering connections between entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators across borders, the partnership seeks to build meaningful bridges that support startups and professional excellence in both countries.
Through this initiative, Voice of Startup Pakistan and SPPC plan to organize joint programs, networking sessions, and mentorship opportunities that empower Pakistani entrepreneurs operating in Saudi Arabia. The collaboration will also promote knowledge sharing, innovation, and investment readiness, aligning with broader efforts to strengthen cross-border ecosystems.
Key stakeholders and supporters involved in this milestone include representatives from the Ministry of Health Saudi Arabia, Ministry of Investment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan, Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), Ministry of IT and Telecom Pakistan, and the Embassy of Pakistan in Riyadh. Prominent entrepreneurs and ecosystem enablers such as Umar Ahsan Khan, Syed Azfar Hussain, Muhammad Zohaib Khan, Jehan Ara, Atif Baig, M. Azam Mughal, Arzish Azam, Ahsan Raza, Farhan M. Haroon, and Nayab Babar, CFA, along with Ignite – National Technology Fund and National Incubation Center Karachi, also participated in the signing.
The partnership emphasizes a shared commitment to strengthening innovation ecosystems by connecting startups, fostering professional development, and creating pathways for business growth. Through joint initiatives, both organizations aim to highlight the talent, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia while providing support structures for emerging businesses.
This MoU represents a significant step toward building a collaborative environment that encourages startups and professional communities to thrive across borders. By combining local expertise in Saudi Arabia with the entrepreneurial network in Pakistan, the initiative is expected to drive impactful outcomes, reinforce knowledge exchange, and create opportunities for Pakistani founders, innovators, and professionals on a global stage.
The collaboration signals the start of a sustained effort to nurture cross-border entrepreneurship, support innovation-driven ventures, and provide resources that enable professionals and founders to scale their impact. Both organizations are committed to leveraging this partnership to foster a stronger, connected ecosystem that promotes innovation, growth, and professional excellence for the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia and beyond.