In a major milestone for Pakistan’s technology ecosystem, generative AI startup Jams, co-founded by former Meta engineers Asad Awan and Hamza Aftab, has been acquired by the global AI leader OpenAI. The deal amplifies Pakistan’s presence on the global AI map and marks the first exit for the Pakistani-based venture capital firm Indus Valley Capital (IVC).
Founded by two engineers who had worked at Meta, Jams developed generative video-experience technology aimed at delivering “authentic video experiences” at scale using AI. It secured early backing from U.S.-based venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) in 2022 and later from Indus Valley Capital, which now celebrates its first exit after backing the startup.
Asad and Atif announced their win on LinkedIn as:
The acquisition sends a clear signal that Pakistani-origin founders are building globally competitive technology companies, not just regional solutions. IVC founder Aatif Awan described the deal as “proof that Pakistani talent continues to go global,” and indicated the firm would double down on investing in Pakistani founders positioned abroad.
By bringing Jams into its fold, OpenAI gains access to innovative generative video technologies and a team experienced in building scaled-video systems, an asset as the company continues to expand its generative AI offerings beyond text. For Jams, integration into OpenAI’s infrastructure means faster go-to-market, access to talent, and a broader user base.
Both the co-founders have been transparent about how they view coding and scaling of Jams:
Launched in 2022, Jams specializes in generative AI for creating “authentic video experiences” at scale, leveraging advanced models to enable dynamic, personalized content generation. The platform focuses on video synthesis and AI-driven media tools, aiming to disrupt content creation in gaming, social media, and entertainment.