Islamabad, 13 November 2026(Kamran Raja): Pakistan’s ambition to emerge as a globally competitive destination for technology, innovation and entrepreneurship gained further momentum as Pathfinder CITADEL hosted the National Event and Culmination Ceremony of the Davos Startup Challenge 2027 at Amaani Bagh, Islamabad.
The ceremony was attended by Switzerland’s Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Stéphane Rey, as Chief Guest, accompanied by Mrs. Anne Matter, Deputy Head of Mission of Switzerland to Pakistan and Afghanistan. Austria’s Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Wolfgang Kutschera, also attended the event, alongside Dr. Shoab A. Khan, Chairman of the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), and Mr. Faisal Aftab, Founder and CEO of Zayn VC, as Guests of Honour.
The event marked the culmination of a nationwide startup competition designed to identify, nurture and connect promising entrepreneurs with international markets, investors and global decision-makers. A major highlight was the unveiling of the selected startups that will represent Pakistan and other OIC member countries at the Pakistan Pavilion on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, in January 2027.
The initiative builds on Pathfinder Group’s two-decade-long engagement with the World Economic Forum through the Pakistan Breakfast and Pakistan Pavilion at Davos, which have provided platforms for promoting Pakistan’s economic, institutional and business interests internationally. The 2027 edition takes this engagement a step further by placing Pakistani entrepreneurs, technology companies and innovative business ventures at the centre of Pakistan’s global economic outreach.
The Davos Startup Challenge 2027 received an impressive 617 applications from Pakistan and other member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Following the initial evaluation, 34 startups were shortlisted, with 28 advancing to the final pitching round. The process culminated in the selection of 20 startups from Pakistan and OIC countries.
The partnership with the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), through a dedicated DCO Track, has further expanded the initiative’s international reach across the Global South, promoting cross-border collaboration, digital cooperation and inclusive economic growth.
Welcoming the participants, AVM (Retd.) Asad Ikram, President and CEO of Pathfinder CITADEL, emphasized the importance of developing a robust innovation ecosystem capable of transforming Pakistan’s entrepreneurial potential into globally competitive businesses.
The opening discussion, titled “From Pakistan to Davos,” focused on the opportunities and challenges facing Pakistani technology companies seeking to expand into international markets. Moderated by Air Cdre Khalid Banuri, Principal Advisor, Pathfinder CITADEL, the session featured Imran Jattala, Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Pathfinder CITADEL, along with Mohib Mirza and Fawad Hassan Khan, founders of AI Team Force.
AI Team Force was among the eight ventures selected by Pathfinder CITADEL to represent Pakistan at the Pakistan Pavilion during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos in January 2026.
Addressing Pakistan’s evolving technology landscape, Dr. Shoab A. Khan, Chairman of P@SHA, highlighted the need to build globally competitive companies through innovation, enterprise development and stronger linkages with international markets. He appreciated Pathfinder CITADEL’s initiative to promote Pakistan’s innovation capabilities and showcase its technological potential at leading international platforms.
A key moment of the ceremony was the announcement and unveiling of the startups selected for Davos 2027, led by Air Cdre (Retd.) Farhan Ahmed, Project Director and COO of Pathfinder CITADEL. The selected entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to present their ventures at the Pakistan Pavilion and interact with international investors, multinational corporations, policymakers and members of the global innovation ecosystem.
The programme also included an investor-focused session by Mr. Faisal Aftab, Founder and CEO of Zayn VC, titled “Growth Pathways for Startups – Pitching for Investment: What Investors Look for in a Startup.” The session provided participating founders with valuable insights into investment readiness, business scalability, sustainable growth and the expectations of international capital markets.
In his address, Switzerland’s Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Stéphane Rey, highlighted the international significance of the initiative. Switzerland’s close association with the World Economic Forum and its global reputation for innovation, research and entrepreneurship provide an important context for Pakistani startups preparing to engage with international markets.
The Ambassador, together with Mr. Ikram Sehgal, Co-Chairman of Pathfinder Group, and AVM (Retd.) Asad Ikram, President and CEO of Pathfinder CITADEL, distributed certificates among the founders selected to participate in the Pakistan Pavilion at Davos 2027.
The ceremony also featured a presentation by Brig. (Retd.) Mujahid Alam, CEO of Pathfinder Care Foundation, who highlighted Pathfinder Group’s corporate social responsibility initiatives and its ongoing contributions to community welfare and social development.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Ikram Sehgal, Co-Chairman of Pathfinder Group, stressed the importance of sustained institutional commitment to entrepreneurship, technological advancement and Pakistan’s international economic positioning. He emphasized that Pakistan’s participation in global platforms must go beyond visibility and focus on building meaningful business relationships, attracting investment and establishing long-term international partnerships.
The Davos Startup Challenge 2027 represents a significant opportunity for Pakistani entrepreneurs to showcase their capabilities on a global stage, strengthen international business connections and position Pakistan as an emerging destination for technology, innovation and investment.