From Savyour’s Shutdown to Disrupt.com’s $100M Bet: Are the Gadit Brothers Cutting Losses or Playing Smart?

Pakistan’s startup ecosystem faces a new setback as Savyour, the country’s first cashback platform, announces its closure by March 20, 2025. The move is surprising given Savyour’s ambitious goal to transform consumer spending through rewards and cashback. Meanwhile, the same founders have unveiled a $100 million investment through Disrupt.com, a UAE-based venture builder focused on AI-first startups globally.

Is this a smart pivot to high-tech ventures or an attempt to cut losses on a failing business model?

Savyour’s Shutdown: A Reality Check for Pakistan’s Startup Scene

Launched in 2021, Savyour aimed to become Pakistan’s first integrated cashback and rewards platform. Backed by Gaditek’s ecosystem, it sought to influence consumer behavior using cashback incentives. However, the company will now cease operations, offering no clear explanation for the closure. Industry experts suggest several reasons:

• Economic downturn: Pakistan’s financial crisis has curtailed consumer spending, reducing the appeal of cashback incentives.
• Insufficient user base: Cashback models depend on a critical mass of users, which Savyour may not have achieved.
• Funding challenges: Investor sentiment in Pakistan has declined, making it hard for startups to sustain operations.

Savyour’s failure raises broader concerns about Pakistan’s startup ecosystem. Was the business model flawed, or was it simply a case of poor timing and execution?

Disrupt.com’s $100M Investment: Strategic Pivot or Exit Plan?

As Savyour shuts down, the Gadit brothers—Aaqib, Uzair, and Umair—have announced a $100 million investment through Disrupt.com, focusing on AI, cybersecurity, Web 3.0, and automotive tech. The timing raises questions:

• Why now? If the cashback model was sustainable, why not pivot instead of closing down entirely?
• Industry shift: Moving from consumer rewards to AI investments suggests a lack of faith in cashback models.
• Reallocation of resources: The Gadit brothers’ $350 million exit from Cloudways in 2022 could explain the shift in focus to global markets.

A pattern seems to be forming: build, sell, shut down, and invest globally. Was Savyour merely a stepping stone in a larger strategy?

Implications for Pakistan’s Startup Ecosystem

Savyour’s closure is a wake-up call for Pakistan’s startup sector, which has already seen high-profile exits, including Airlift, SWVL, and VavaCars. Meanwhile, Disrupt.com’s $100 million fund appears focused globally, raising doubts about its benefits for Pakistani startups.

Are the Gadit brothers shifting their focus entirely to international markets, or will they reinvest in Pakistan’s ecosystem?

Final Thoughts: A Bold Move or a Warning Sign?

The Gadit brothers have a history of building successful ventures. However, their latest moves suggest a focus on more lucrative international markets rather than solving local problems. While Disrupt.com’s $100 million investment is impressive, it doesn’t mask the fact that yet another Pakistani startup has failed.

Pakistan’s startup ecosystem appears to be at a crossroads, and it’s unclear if anyone—including Disrupt.com—can turn things around.