Our Work
i2i believes that data and information are key to understanding growth markets. Our Insights Lab provides cutting-edge research, data & analysis to mitigate risk and help stakeholders better navigate these countries, beginning with Pakistan.
KP ENTREPRENEURSHIP ECOSYSTEM REPORT
Invest2Innovate (i2i) in partnership with Adam Smith International (ASI) is currently working on the KP Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Report, which will be a detailed diagnostic study on startups in KP, based on primary and secondary data gathered from key stakeholders such as, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship support organizations, policy makers, and investors. The recommendations will help Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) - a £37.5 million programme that aims to support provincial economic development and sustainable energy in Pakistan - identify entry points to enable the startup ecosystem in KP, and add to the overall economic development of KP.
WeRaise - A new World Bank Group initiative
In the last five years, women-led startups in Pakistan only raised 3% of the startup ecosystem’s total funding ($192 M). WeRaise is a new World Bank Group initiative that aims to address this gap by supporting high growth capital women-led companies in Pakistan to attract and raise capital to grow their businesses. Powered by the Bank’s Women’s Entrepreneurial Finance Initiative (We-Fi), WeRaise is being implemented by Invest2Innovate (i2i)and global partners efino and Valhalla Private Capital.
Over the next two years, WeRaise will support 30+ women-led Pakistani companies – selected through a competitive process – in raising capital from investors in Pakistan and worldwide through an investment readiness and capital raising coaching and support program. Selected startups will benefit from a tailored and bespoke coaching and support program, which will include hands-on guidance from world class investment readiness coaches, access to a pool of local and international mentors & experts, capital raising seminars and topical resources, and connections with investors, all in service to raising funding to grow & scale their companies.
Facebook Startup Circles
The Startup Circles Bootcamps aims to equip entrepreneurs with tools and resources to help them build better products and business strategies by connecting them with local industry experts. I2i will be conducting weekly sessions as part of the bootcamp to equip early-stage startups with the necessary training and tools to scale their business ideas into investable companies. The idea is to enable the startup ecosystem, develop a pipeline of potential partners for Facebook and help scale business through Facebook’s tools, expertise and resources.
World Bank - Investment Readiness Training for Pakistani Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
Phase 1: Training the Trainers The training for ESOs aimed to provide accelerators and incubators in Pakistan with the tools and resources to build out their program and improve their support to entrepreneurs, specifically women-led businesses around raising investment.
Phase 2: Women Entrepreneurs Growth and Fundraising Readiness Program ‘As part of this program, women-led startups had the opportunity to become a part of a 5-day investment readiness training, delivered by domain experts and mentors from various industries. The training equipped women entrepreneurs with the tools and skills required to successfully fundraise for their business and develop effective growth strategies.’
