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In a landmark move to propel the country’s tech ecosystem onto the global stage, up to eight Pakistani startups will be selected to pitch at the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. The opportunity comes via the Pathfinder CITADEL DAVOS Startup Challenge, a joint initiative by CITADEL Pathfinder and the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA).
The strategic partnership, formalized with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Karachi, is designed to give local innovators international visibility and support. The program targets early- to growth-stage companies working in high-impact domains, including AI, fintech, climate tech, health, and AgriTech.
The challenge is more than a pitch contest; it serves as an accelerator into the global investor ecosystem. According to Pathfinder CITADEL, the selected finalists will receive intensive training, including mentorship from international industry leaders and strategic coaching, to refine their value propositions for DAVOS.
P@SHA will leverage its extensive industry network to facilitate linkages, funding introductions, and international promotion, while Pathfinder CITADEL will provide bootcamps, pitch preparation, and crucial travel support for the finalists.
Interested startups must submit their applications by October 4, 2025, with a one-pager, pitch deck, and team bios. Shortlisting will take place on October 11, followed by a final pitch round on October 25. To qualify, startups must have a working prototype or product.
The initiative underscores growing confidence in Pakistan’s tech talent as the country aims for ambitious growth in its IT exports. The program also aligns with broader national goals to use digital innovation as a key economic driver.
However, the path to global success is not without challenges. Finalists will need to be ready for the demands of international compliance and investor due diligence. For the program to have a lasting impact, organizers and regulators will need to ensure sustained support and capital bridges are in place long after the DAVOS spotlight fades.
The CITADEL DAVOS Challenge was born out of a collaboration between CITADEL Pathfinder and global business networks. All in all, to elevate frontier innovation from emerging economies onto the global stage. Originally launched as a regional startup showcase, it steadily evolved into a pitch competition aligned with World Economic Forum themes.
Over time, organizers expanded its scope, partnering with local associations, securing mentorship and investor pipelines, and formalizing pathways to feature top startups at WEF events.
The Challenge now bridges local tech ecosystems to global policy and investment corridors, offering high-impact startups exposure, validation, and opportunity in Davos.
