The Startup Ecosystem of Pakistan

Pakistan has 4 cities in the top 1000 and is one of South Asia’s best countries for setting up a startup.

COUNTRY RANKING

Pakistan’s startup scene remains stable in 2023 on the 76th position, having gained 1 more city in the global top 1000.

Population

235.8
Million

Regional Ranking

2nd
0
In South Asia

Global Ranking

76th
0
Worldwide

Ecosystem

Startup Ecosystem Overview

white and gray concrete buildings during daytime
As one of the most populous countries in the world, Pakistan’s economy has massive potential to grow. For this to happen, digitalization and successful startups will be a critical element. Recently, the digital infrastructure in Pakistan has seen improvement with a focus on the 5G spectrum auction for the 2022-2024 fiscal year. This came together with legal frameworks that regulate and promote digital payments, investment, and credit under the Digital Banking Policy (SBP). In addition, the government maintains Special Technology Zones offering several tax exemptions and incentives. Last but not least, the Companies Amendment Act (2021) has recognized startups in its scope and introduced a legal framework to them.
Pakistan has come a long way with its legal framework, but there are still some areas that require more clarity when it comes to taxation or incentives for domestic investments. The country’s turbulent political climate is not helping to create certainty and stable policies to boost the local startup ecosystem. A challenge for Pakistani startups is the absence of success stories and shut down of several startups such as AirLift due to a funding crunch. The country needs to come up with more ways of providing its startup ecosystems with qualified and trained personnel, as well as more funding.
The country has not yet produced its first unicorn, but we think this will happen soon if the startup scene recovers from the contraction of funding and continues to attract investment.

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ECOSYSTEM

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Ecosystem

The Startup Ecosystem in Pakistan

In 2023, Pakistan register a rise in Transportation startups. Some of the most notable success stories in this industry are those of , SadaPay.

Global Rank

Pakistan is ranked within the top 100 startup ecosystems globally.

Top Industries

Pakistan’s startup scene is best represented in Transportation, Marketing & Sales, and in and Education.

Top Cities for Startups in Pakistan - Ranked by StartupBlink
StartupBlink ranks the startup ecosystems of 100 countries and 1,000 cities. Download our latest Global Startup Ecosystem Report.
Rows:
2023 National Rank & Change ▲
Access subscores for 1000 cities and 100 countries
2023 National Rank & Change City
search leaderboards icon
Global Rank & ChangeTotal ScoreQuantity ScoreQuality ScoreBusiness Score
1st
0
235th
+
56
2.130
00.00
00.00
00.00
2nd
0
248th
+
57
1.970
00.00
00.00
00.00
3rd
0
396th
+
42
0.837
00.00
00.00
00.00
4th
0
982nd
new
0.117
00.00
00.00
00.00
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Startups

Notable Startups in Pakistan
SadaPay startup icon
SadaPay
Dawaai startup icon
Dawaai
Bookme startup icon
Bookme

Startups

Successful Transportation startups in Pakistan
Airlift Technologies startup icon
Airlift Technologies
Bykea startup icon
Bykea
Truck It In startup icon
Truck It In

Startups

Startups Ranking by Industry

Transportation icon
Transportation
#51 worldwide

On our map, you can explore a total of 60 startups for Transportation.

Marketing & Sales icon
Marketing & Sales
#55 worldwide

In South Asia, Pakistan's Marketing & Sales is in top 55. Pakistan has a concentration of about 30 of the region's total Marketing & Sales startups that are represented on our map.

Education icon
Education
#58 worldwide

Pakistan's Education is ranked 58th in the world. Our database contains 22 for this industry.

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