Ten Pakistani Startups Unveil Innovation at Expand North Star 2025

Pakistan is making a splash on the global tech map in October 2025, showcasing its innovators at back-to-back marquee events: Expand North Star in Dubai and GITEX Technology Week. These pavilions are more than exhibitions; they signal a strategic pivot to position Pakistan as a credible technology originator on the world stage.

At Expand North Star 2025, Pakistan inaugurated its national pavilion in Dubai Harbour, bringing together ten high-potential startups across various sectors, including fintech, blockchain, AI, healthtech, and e-commerce.

The pavilion, organized under the auspices of Ignite, National Technology Fund, allowed Pakistani founders to pitch live to international investors and network with global decision makers. Key officials, including Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi and Ignite leadership, emphasized the country’s growing IT export momentum and global ambitions.

Meanwhile, at GITEX 2025, Pakistan is amplifying its presence further. The Pakistan Pavilion at GITEX includes 26 established IT firms and 10 startups under the banner “Think Tech, Think Pakistan.” Organized in collaboration with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), this pavilion aims to expand Pakistan’s footprint in AI, software exports, and digital innovation.

Some of the notable startups involved are:

• STEMverse
• NaqshaGPT
• Obelisk
• Najoomi
• Superbutler.ai
• Brainswarm Robotics, and others.

Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja is personally leading the delegation, delivering a keynote titled “Pakistan’s AI & Connectivity Drive: A Model for Emerging Economies” and holding critical bilateral meetings.

Federal Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja praised the growing global footprint of Pakistan’s IT sector, stating:

“Pakistan’s presence at GITEX Global reflects our confidence, our capability, and our commitment to a digitally empowered future. With a young, skilled workforce and an expanding base of IT exports, Pakistan is ready to play a central role in shaping the global tech economy. The Pakistan Pavilion represents not just our innovation – but our invitation to the world to partner in growth.”

Pakistan Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi said “These startups are not only ambassadors of Pakistan’s digital potential but also vital contributors to our national goal of achieving sustainable economic growth through the knowledge economy. We are committed to continuing our efforts in supporting and expanding Pakistan’s startup ecosystem to compete globally.”

The twin shows reinforce a message of ambition backed by statistics: IT exports from Pakistan to the UAE hit USD $376 million in fiscal year 2024–25, while total IT export revenue crossed USD $3.76 billion. These numbers serve as proof points that Pakistan is not just attending global stages, but bringing tangible digital value.

These events also offer local firms elevated branding, access to curated networking zones, and opportunities for joint research and development (R&D) and investment. Through pitch sessions, bilateral MoUs (such as between Pakistan’s CERT and Kaspersky), and curated exposure, Pakistani startups gain access to global ecosystems previously out of reach.

What to watch next: which Pakistani startups land foreign investment, how many collaborative deals are signed, whether this momentum translates into sustained growth back home, and how Pakistan’s tech diplomacy narrative evolves moving forward.