ISLAMABAD, September 29, 2026: For Pakistani startups, raising early capital is only part of the challenge; securing the funding needed to scale remains a key hurdle. This was at the centre of Investor Summit 2026, hosted by the National Incubation Centre (NIC) Islamabad on Tuesday, bringing investors, corporates, policymakers and founders together.
The summit focused on the challenges startups face beyond seed funding, particularly when preparing for Series A and growth capital. Discussions centred on growth potential, unit economics, investor risk appetite, corporate governance and the need for stronger pathways to follow-on capital.
The panel discussion, “Unlocking Access to Capital for Pakistani Founders,” brought together Dr. Yasir Amjad, Director Acceleration & Growth, NIC Islamabad; Kamil Aziz, Head of Investments, Zayn VC; Dicle Özcan, Senior Associate, Inveo Ventures, who joined virtually from Türkiye; and Shahid Abbasi, Co-Founder, Xylexa, Inc.
As one panelist noted, “The main issue is usually not whether the company has traction, but whether investors can clearly see what comes next.” Shahid Abbasi similarly stressed that fundraising depends heavily on the investor’s risk appetite and patience, particularly for capital-intensive sectors such as medtech.
The discussion also highlighted governance as a key consideration for international investors. One panelist put it simply: “For me, corporate governance comes first.”
NIC Islamabad Project Director Sayyed Ahmad Masud highlighted the investment opportunity within the Centre’s startup portfolio, stating, “You invest in NIC startups because we provide the most curated deal flow. These are really good investment opportunities, and the quality of founders coming through this ecosystem speaks for itself. If you are looking to invest in the future of innovation in Pakistan, you should seriously consider NIC Islamabad startups.”
The summit also saw Dakia AI, Xylexa, Prompt to Flow, Biz B, Najoomi, Stayovers, Tez Ads, AI Sehat Bridge and Sky Technology Inn present their businesses to investors and ecosystem stakeholders.
At the close of the summit, Bilal Abbasi, CEO Ignite – National Technology Fund, highlighted the wider funding and support mechanisms available to Pakistani startups, including PKR 100 million for R&D and PKR 200 million for product commercialisation. He emphasised Ignite’s broader objective of creating “a complete value chain for startups” spanning skills, incubation, acceleration, funding and international market access.
Investor Summit 2026 reinforced the importance of connecting founders with the capital, expertise and networks needed to move from early traction to sustainable growth.
Investors and ecosystem partners interested in engaging with NIC Islamabad can connect with the Centre through its official channels.
