In this 71st episode of the misaal podcast, you will listen to my conversation with Asfar Anjum — the founder of CeePrinto. A Print-on-demand platform that lets you design, customize, and sell your own products. Guest: Asfar Anjum | https://www.linkedin.com/in/asfaranjum/ Startup: Ceeprinto | https://ceeprinto.com/ Host: Zahid Lilani - https://twit…

In this 70th episode of the misaal podcast, you will listen to my conversation with Saad Khawar — co-founder of Datacade. A provider of labeling and annotation solutions for LLMs.Guest: Saad Khawar | https://www.linkedin.com/in/saad-khawar/Startup: Datacade | https://datacade.ai/Host: Zahid Lilani - https://twitter.com/ZahidLilani Startup funding n…

In this episode of the misaal podcast, I’ll give you a quarterly update on the startup ecosystem in Pakistan.As far as startup funding goes, there isn’t much to discuss, as Pakistani startups raised $0 in Q1. Still, many things happened in Q1, such as SadaPay acquisition, startup closures, layoffs, etc.It’s mostly bad news, but there’s light at the…

In this 68th episode of the misaal podcast, you will listen to my conversation with Syed Azfar Hussain — the Project Director at NIC Hyderabad. A public-private partnership-funded incubation center for ambitious entrepreneurs. Guest: Syed Azfar Hussain | https://www.linkedin.com/in/azfar84/ Organization: NIC Hyderabad | https://nichyderabad.com/ Ho…

In this 67th episode of the misaal podcast, I unpack the recent $50 million acquisition of SadaPay by Papara.Despite a challenging month with no new startup funding rounds, the ecosystem showed signs of resilience with SadaPay’s acquisition. However, there are no whiners in this deal. Discover insights into the impact of political changes on the ec…

In this 66th episode of the misaal podcast, you will listen to my conversation with Gohar Shafique — a serial entrepreneur and founder of We Want Design. An easy-to-use design and development service for startups, enterprises, and agencies. Guest: Gohar Shafique | https://www.linkedin.com/in/gohardotme/ Startup: We Want Design | https://www.wewantd…

In this 65th episode of the misaal podcast, you will listen to my conversation with Huzaifa Ahmad — the co-founder of Rizq A social impact startup that tackles the problem of food insecurity and waste through its many different programs. Guest: Huzaifa Ahmad | https://www.linkedin.com/in/huzaifa-ahmad-7026aa165/ Startup: Rizq | https://rizq.org/ Ho…

In this episode, Adeel Raza, co-founder of eLearning Evolve, shares how his free WordPress plugin proved more valuable than he first anticipated, allowing him to offer a paid version.Guest: Adeel Raza | https://www.linkedin.com/in/adeel-raza/Startup: eLearning evolve | https://elearningevolve.com/Host: Zahid Lilani - https://twitter.com/ZahidLilani…

Hunain Kapadia, the co-founder and CTO of Smartbenefits, joins me to talk about how he is making it easier for employers to provide health and life insurance to their employees at an affordable price. Guest: Hunain Kapadia | https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunainkapadia/ Startup: Smartbenefits | https://smartbenefits.pk/ Host: Zahid Lilani - https://tw…

E-commerce startups are commonplace in Pakistan. However, a significant segment of society sits on the sidelines as they can’t find the bargains they seek online. My guest in this episode of the misaal podcast wants to change that. His name is Haider Raza, and he is the co-founder of DealCart. A social commerce startup bringing community and group …

From busy cities to remote villages, digital media has revolutionized how Pakistan shares information. The more we understand these changes, the better off we'll be at digesting news, engaging with stories, and understanding the world. The topic of digital media is very close to my heart as a podcaster and publisher serving the Pakistani audience. …

The quarter just ended, and the numbers are in. Pakistani startups raised $6.8 million in disclosed equity funding across five deals in Q3 2023. That’s 87% less than the $55 million raised in Q3 of 2022 but 40% more than the $5 million raised in Q2 of 2023. This brings the YTD funding to $35 million. So what gives? To answer that question and bette…

Last year, Pakistani startups received half their funding from emerging market VC firms. This year, most emerging market VC firms are sitting on the sidelines and waiting for market conditions to improve. However, my guest in this episode of the misaal podcast is actively funding deals and most recently invested in Truckistan. His name is Michel Fr…

It is not easy to monetize EdTech in Pakistan. Startups are competing with free content on YouTube. However, my guest on this episode of the misaal podcast has successfully monetized his EdTech startup and built the go-to place for A levels prep. His name is Asad Hashamali, and he is the co-founder of Alt Academy. Alt Academy makes A Level exam pre…

Agriculture plays a huge role in Pakistan’s economy. It employs about 42% of the country’s workforce and contributes 19% to the GDP. But the sector still relies a lot on inefficient supply chains. And my guest in this episode of the misaal podcast wants to change that. His name is Muhammad Mustafa, and he is the co-founder of EasyFresh. A B2B start…

In Pakistan, sourcing raw materials for manufacturing is complicated and fragmented. My guest on this episode of the misaal podcast wants to change that. His name is Ahsan Ali Khan, and he is the co-founder of Zaraye. A marketplace that simplifies and streamlines the sourcing process for buyers and sellers alike. Buyers get quality products, and su…

A couple of weeks back, Pakistan unveiled its federal budget for FY24. It is as predictable as one has come to expect. A lot of borrowing to pay for the basics. However, this budget had one unique feature: the focus on IT. So I asked Mutaher Khan, who did an excellent round-up of all IT-related proposals in the budget for DAWN news, to come and sha…

My guest in this episode of the misaal podcast is helping blue-collar workers find the opportunities they deserve and get an edge in the job market. His name is Salman Shahid, and he is the co-founder of Dost. Find out why he believes Dost is the best platform for blue-collar workers to find jobs and for employers to hire qualified candidates. Gues…

My guest in this episode of the misaal podcast is changing how Pakistanis invest. His startup allows investors in Pakistan to invest in the U.S. stock market. His name is Farooq Tirmizi, and he is the co-founder of Elphinstone. For as little as $100, you can start investing in the U.S. stock market with Elphinstone. Guest: Farooq Tirmizi | https://…

My guest in this episode of the misaal podcast is bringing all your favorite creators and experts in their fields to one platform so you can learn in-demand skills and up your game. He’s a creative tour de force and an invisible hand behind many creators you all love and cherish. I, for one, have learned a great deal about editing from his many You…

My guest in this episode of the misaal podcast is helping students get ahead by providing them with personalized tutoring and customized testing. His name is Rooshan Aziz, and he is the co-founder of Maqsad. Using Maqsad's all-in-one mobile learning platform, students from grades 9-12 can learn and test at their own pace. Guest: Rooshan Aziz | http…

My guest in this 50th episode of the misaal podcast is empowering kiryana stores to create a unified consumer experience. His name is Jarrar Shah, and he is the co-founder of 24Seven. Through digitization and innovation, 24Seven helps local kiryana stores in Pakistan create a unified consumer experience. Guest: Jarrar Shah - https://www.linkedin.co…

I have a very special guest on this episode of the misaal podcast. A serial entrepreneur who's currently building his third startup. Not only that, he's building a global B2B SaaS product in a country where startups like his are fairly uncommon. His name is Mohammad Nasrullah, a.k.a Nash, and he is the founder of Integry. With Integry, companies ca…

In Pakistan, employers do not use LinkedIn to find blue-collar workers. Blue-collar workers also can't use LinkedIn to find work. Those who want jobs can’t find them, and those that want to hire don’t know where to go. Using technology to connect workers with employers, my next guest wants to help solve this problem. His name is Bazigh Kiani and he…

Investing in the stock market can help you diversify your investments and earn dividends or capital gains. But not everyone takes advantage of this. Pakistan has fewer than 300,000 retail investors. This 47th episode of the misaal podcast features a guest who wants to change that. His name is Shoaib Lalani, and he is the co-founder of Finpocket. Wi…

In this 46th episode, I am joined by Akbar Tejani. He is a co-founder and CEO at Befiler, a Karachi-based FinTech providing tax and business advisory services. Having recently raised $1.5 million in seed funding, Akbar discusses why he went the venture capital route as a service-based business, building a tech stack that scales with growth and the …

Conversation with Mutaher Khan on recently issued digital banking license by the State Bank of PakistanBy Zahid Lilani

Welcome to another episode of the misaal podcast. In this 44th episode, I am joined by Ariba Shahid. She is a journalist and covers the economy for Profit and startups for DealStreetAsia. She shares insights on Pakistan's economy, startup funding trends, and what to expect in the new year. Guest: Ariba Shahid - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aribashah…

In this 43rd episode, I am joined by Aman Nasir. He is a Partner at Sarmayacar. An early-stage VC firm that has invested in startups like Abhi, Bykea, Dawaai, and Patari. He talks about moving back to Pakistan to lead Sarmayacar’s Karachi office, including Fund II's launch. He also talks about startup funding, deal flow trends, and building for glo…

Conversation with Jabraan Shahid. Creator at School with Jabraan.By Zahid Lilani

In this 41st episode of the misaal podcast, I am joined by Kalsoom Lakhani, Co-founder and General Partner at i2i Ventures. One of the country's most prominent and active investors with a portfolio of startups, including Abhi, Tazah, Metric, Oraan, Truck It In, etc. She talks about how the funding environment for startups changed in 2022, startup v…

Today I am joined by Bushra Latif, the founder, and CEO of Nani.pk. A newly launched e-commerce platform and a community for mothers. As a female entrepreneur in Pakistan, she talks about building an e-commerce product for mothers, providing quality childcare products, and creating content that helps mothers. Guest: Bushra Latif - https://www.linke…

Conversation with Ehsan Baig. Co-founder at GilgitApp.By Zahid Lilani

Conversation with Nashit Iqbal. Co-founder at OkayKer.By Zahid Lilani

Conversation with Mahad Imran. Founder of Kis Uni.By Zahid Lilani

Conversation with Zeshan Gondal. Investor and Head of Strategy at Zayn Capital.By Zahid Lilani

Q3 Startup Funding Update with Nazish Hussain from Secret Stash.By Zahid Lilani

Conversation with Aizaz Nayyer. Co-founder and CEO of Linkst.ar.By Zahid Lilani

Conversation with Rafae Dossal. Co-founder and CEO of Waggles.pk.By Zahid Lilani

Conversation with Asad Iqbal. A Web3 product specialist and venture architect.By Zahid Lilani

Conversation with Mohsen Siddiqui. Co-founder and CEO of GenMOBy Zahid Lilani

Conversation with Neelam Shoaib. Co-founder and COO of Shadiyana.By Zahid Lilani

Conversation with Sarfraz Hussain. Co-founder and CEO of YPay.By Zahid Lilani

Conversation with Sennen Desouza. Co-founder and Head of Business Development at Investors Lounge.By Zahid Lilani

Conversation with Hafiz Awais Afzal. Fulbright Scholar and Founder of Rahnumai, an EdTech startup.By Zahid Lilani

Coversation with Shehryar Hydri. Managing Partner at Deosai Ventures.By Zahid Lilani

Conversation with Mutaher Khan. Co-founder at Data Darbar.By Zahid Lilani

Conversation with Shershah Hassan. Co-founder and CEO of KalPayBy Zahid Lilani

Conversation with Asaad Sohail. Co-founder and CEO of Stakehold PakistanBy Zahid Lilani

Conversation with Husnain Tariq. Co-founder and CEO of Sapiens In.By Zahid Lilani