3 min read
Pakistan’s startup ecosystem is gaining international recognition as multiple entrepreneurs participate in the globally renowned reality TV show Meet The Drapers. The competition, hosted by venture capitalist Tim Draper, provides startups from around the world with an opportunity to pitch their business ideas to investors and compete for a grand prize of $1 million.
Among the Pakistani participants, entrepreneur Maha Shahzad, founder of BusCaro, stands out as she represents the country on this prestigious platform. BusCaro, a tech-based mobility startup, offers transport solutions in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, catering to both businesses and individual commuters. In a major achievement, BusCaro has now advanced to the semi-finals of Meet The Drapers, increasing its chances of securing significant funding and global recognition.
Maha Shahzad highlighted the importance of global exposure for Pakistani businesses, stating, “The media portrayal of Pakistan and its businesses versus our reality is very different. So that exposure is very important.”
She emphasised how participation in the competition could generate new perspectives about Pakistan’s startup environment to international audiences. Shahzad’s pitch was filmed in San Francisco, with additional footage shot at Karachi’s landmark Quaid-e-Azam Mausoleum, symbolizing entrepreneurial culture of the city.
Apart from BusCaro, three other Pakistani startups have secured a place in the competition, further elevating the country’s presence in the global startup ecosystem.
One of them is Myco, a Dubai-based streaming platform that was established by Islamabad native Umair Masoom Usmani. Myco is headquartered in the United Arab Emirates. However, it has identified Pakistan as its largest market based on user numbers, revenue generation, and consumer base.
Notably, Myco has also secured exclusive rights to stream Meet The Drapers in Pakistan. “When I presented my pitch on the show, Tim Draper expressed his support for Myco and asked us to stream Meet The Drapers in Pakistan,” Usmani shared.
Another participant, Laam operates as a fashion tech startup through which consumers get connected to brands and designers by utilizing an industry-specific digital platform.
The sustainable app Reup Cycle represents Pakistan’s fourth entry by transforming used plastics into industrial materials in a way that supports worldwide environmental responsibility goals.
The seventh season of Meet The Drapers introduced 44 startups from different international business hubs including Abu Dhabi, Paris, London, New York and other international locations. Multiple startup teams present their proposals in person to judges for the opportunity to win funding while three startups from judge selection and three more from public voting proceed to the final competition stage.
Pakistan’s startup sector has seen significant growth, particularly in e-commerce, fintech, and mobility solutions, attracting record investments in recent years. The government has also introduced policies and incentives to encourage innovation and increase IT exports.
With the finale set to air on April 18, BusCaro’s advancement to the semi-finals is a significant milestone, reflecting the potential of Pakistan’s tech startups. The country’s entrepreneurs hope their participation will not only lead to potential funding but also showcase Pakistan’s tech potential to a global audience.
The semi-final episode featuring BusCaro will air on myco.io on March 28th. Viewers still have the opportunity to vote for three startups, which will advance directly to the finale and compete for investment from Tim Draper. The grand prizes include $1 million for the winner, $500K for second place, and $250K for third place.
