The narrative of Pakistan’s startup ecosystem is often told in two opposing headlines: the dizzying highs of a record-breaking raise, or the quiet, often brutal, pressure of an uncertain market. In between these extremes is the lived reality of the founder: a relentless cycle of strategic decisions, system failures, and the personal toll of wearing many hats. For years, the community’s heart, its founders have craved a space that addresses not just the spreadsheet, but the soul.
This November 29th, BuildUp 2025, organized by invest2innovate (i2i), promises to be that rare, essential space. Set against the creative backdrop of District19 in Karachi, the full-day event is designed as a deep, human-centered experience that recognizes the community and collaboration as the true engine of Pakistan’s entrepreneurial spirit.
“Most startup events are hype-driven or investor-focused, leaving little room to address the real pressures of running a company,” explains Duaa Asif from invest2innovate. “BuildUp 2025 is about creating a space where founders can learn, reflect, and connect without pretense.” The event grew from years of observing the extraordinary determination and often isolating challenges faced by Pakistan’s entrepreneurs, a truth the ecosystem is finally ready to confront openly.
The Three Pillars of Founder Resilience
BuildUp 2025 rejects the ‘hero founder’ myth, grounding its experience in three crucial pillars: Financial, Operational, and Mental Wellness. It’s a holistic approach that acknowledges a startup is only as healthy as the person running it.
The day begins by tackling the elephant in the room: Financial Wellness. The panel “The Pressure to Raise and What Happens After,” featuring Somair Rizvi (Myco), Dr. Sara Saeed Khurram (Sehat Kahani), and Sharoon Saleem (Salesflo) Yasir Suleman Memon (Salesflo), will offer candid insights, moderated by Misbah Naqvi (i2i Ventures). This conversation moves beyond the celebratory press release, digging into the strategic and emotional aftermath of investment. Complementing this, Kashaf Jamal of Fatima Gobi Ventures leads a session exploring essential alternative funding models, from grants to revenue-based financing, acknowledging that sustainable growth rarely follows a single, venture-only path.
Moving into Operational Wellness, the focus shifts from individual heroics to robust systems. Attendees will learn how to replace chaos with control, featuring Muhammad Tahir (AAAI Pakistan Chapter) demonstrating AI tools for automation. The “Inside the Engine Room” panel, moderated by Halima Iqbal (Oraan) and featuring leaders from Foodpanda, Yango, and Highfy, will pull back the curtain on the nitty-gritty of team alignment and process management, insights that are the bedrock of any scaling Pakistani company.
Perhaps the most resonant pillar is Founder Wellbeing. In an ecosystem that often demands grit at the cost of burnout, this is a necessary intervention. A panel on resilience and recovery, moderated by Amin from Podcast For Phoenixes, brings together Zayaan Bawany (TicketWala), Vladimira Briestenska (Neem), Maheen Adamjee (Dot & Line), and Muzaffar Manghi (FarmDar) for frank discussions on fear, burnout, and rebuilding confidence. The session is rounded off by a workshop with executive coach Mehreen Ovais on managing decision fatigue, and a restorative Guided Movement and Breath Reset with Yogi Raasti Said Diwan, giving founders a moment to genuinely recharge.
The Force of Community and Collaboration
BuildUp 2025 is fundamentally a commitment by the ecosystem’s support organizations to depth over hype. Computerworld Pakistan is proud to be the Technology Media Partner for this inaugural conference by Invest2Innovate.
The Investors Connect segment exemplifies this spirit of tailored, helpful collaboration. Through a curated matchmaking process, founders secure crucial one-on-one advisory hours with leading VCs and angels, including Indus Valley Capital, Fatima Gobi Ventures, i2i Ventures, and Endeavor Pakistan. This is not about a stage pitch; it’s about strategic, tailored guidance.
The community atmosphere is palpable, drawing together founders, operators, and investors from diverse sectors; fintech, health-tech, and consumer into a collective space. The day, supported by Platinum Sponsors Indus Valley Capital and Salesflo, and Gold Sponsors i2i Ventures, Myco.io, and Foodpanda, concludes not with a stiff networking session, but a genuine celebration: live music from Zulu Band, and refreshments from Dunkin and Pie Guys Pizza, hosted by MCs Osamah Nasir and Amtul Baweja.
By selecting District19, an open and creative environment, BuildUp 2025 physically separates itself from the conventional conference hall, creating room for reflection and genuine connection. It’s a testament to the belief that the future of the Pakistani ecosystem relies not just on funding figures, but on the strength, resilience, and honest connection of the people building it.
BuildUp 2025 is a festival for the founder’s journey, a much-needed pause to learn practically, connect meaningfully, and collectively build better, more sustainable companies for Pakistan. The event is scheduled for November 29 at District 19 in Karachi. Interested participants can secure tickets through invest2innovate’s official website.
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