From busy cities to remote villages, digital media has revolutionized how Pakistan shares information. The more we understand these changes, the better off we'll be at digesting news, engaging with stories, and understanding the world.

The topic of digital media is very close to my heart as a podcaster and publisher serving the Pakistani audience. However, I have an outsider’s perspective on digital media in Pakistan. And for that reason, in this episode of the misaal podcast, I'm thrilled to host someone much smarter on this topic.

Her name is Muna Khan, and she is a columnist for DAWN and a Journalism educator.

We discuss Pakistan's changing media landscape, challenges, opportunities, and the future of digital media in Pakistan.

Guest: Muna Khan | https://www.linkedin.com/in/muna-khan-584b7316/

Columns: DAWN | https://www.dawn.com/authors/1320/muna-khan

Host: Zahid Lilani - https://twitter.com/ZahidLilani

Startup funding news: Techshaw - https://techshaw.com

Free newsletter: https://techshaw.substack.com/

Other ways to listen: https://techshaw.com/misaal

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/zahid

The quarter just ended, and the numbers are in. Pakistani startups raised $6.8 million in disclosed equity funding across five deals in Q3 2023.

That’s 87% less than the $55 million raised in Q3 of 2022 but 40% more than the $5 million raised in Q2 of 2023. This brings the YTD funding to $35 million.

So what gives? To answer that question and better understand the current trends in Pakistani startup funding, in this episode of the misaal podcast, I am joined by Mutaher Khan.

He covers startups for DAWN and is the co-founder of Data Darbar.

We discuss the funding winter, startup failures, and how media creates and shapes narratives.

Funding data and article links mentioned in the episode:

https://techshaw.com/pakistani-startups-raised-6-8-million-q3-2023/

https://insights.datadarbar.io/q323-startup-funding-deals-lowest-in-5-years/

https://insights.datadarbar.io/strategic-divestment-or-desperation-exploring-finjas-emi-sale-to-opay/

Guest: Mutaher Khan | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mutaherkhan/

Website: Data Darbar - https://datadarbar.io/

Host: Zahid Lilani - https://twitter.com/ZahidLilani

Startup funding news: Techshaw - https://techshaw.com

Free newsletter: https://techshaw.substack.com/

Other ways to listen: https://techshaw.com/misaal

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/zahid

Last year, Pakistani startups received half their funding from emerging market VC firms. This year, most emerging market VC firms are sitting on the sidelines and waiting for market conditions to improve. 

However, my guest in this episode of the misaal podcast is actively funding deals and most recently invested in Truckistan.

His name is Michel Friedman, and he is the founding partner at Reflect Ventures.

Reflect Ventures is an early-stage VC firm investing in B2B and B2B2C startups focusing on logistics, supply chain, distribution, and transport.

Guest: Michel Friedman | https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfriedman88/

VC Firm: Reflect Ventures | https://www.reflectventures.com/

Host: Zahid Lilani - https://twitter.com/ZahidLilani

Startup funding news: Techshaw - https://techshaw.com

Free newsletter: https://techshaw.substack.com/

Other ways to listen: https://techshaw.com/misaal

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/zahid

It is not easy to monetize EdTech in Pakistan. Startups are competing with free content on YouTube.

However, my guest on this episode of the misaal podcast has successfully monetized his EdTech startup and built the go-to place for A levels prep.

His name is Asad Hashamali, and he is the co-founder of Alt Academy.

Alt Academy makes A Level exam prep a piece of cake. You get access to 9 expert-led courses for one low subscription.

Guest: Asad Hashamali | https://www.linkedin.com/in/asadhashamali/

Startup: Alt Academy | https://altacademy.org/

Host: Zahid Lilani - https://twitter.com/ZahidLilani

Startup funding news: Techshaw - https://techshaw.com

Free newsletter: https://techshaw.substack.com/

Other ways to listen: https://techshaw.com/misaal

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/zahid

Agriculture plays a huge role in Pakistan’s economy. It employs about 42% of the country’s workforce and contributes 19% to the GDP. But the sector still relies a lot on inefficient supply chains. And my guest in this episode of the misaal podcast wants to change that. 

His name is Muhammad Mustafa, and he is the co-founder of EasyFresh. 

A B2B startup connecting farmers with retailers across Pakistan, eliminating intermediaries and increasing efficiency.

Guest: Muhammad Mustafa | https://www.linkedin.com/in/muhammad-mustafa-06323a7/

Startup: EasyFresh | https://easyfreshtech.com/

Host: Zahid Lilani - https://twitter.com/ZahidLilani

Startup funding news: Techshaw - https://techshaw.com

Free newsletter: https://techshaw.substack.com/

Other ways to listen: https://techshaw.com/misaal

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/zahid

In Pakistan, sourcing raw materials for manufacturing is complicated and fragmented. My guest on this episode of the misaal podcast wants to change that. 

His name is Ahsan Ali Khan, and he is the co-founder of Zaraye. 

A marketplace that simplifies and streamlines the sourcing process for buyers and sellers alike. Buyers get quality products, and suppliers get the best price. 

Guest: Ahsan Ali Khan | https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahsan-ali-khan-86721b28/

Startup: Zaraye | https://www.zaraye.co/

Host: Zahid Lilani - https://twitter.com/ZahidLilani

Startup funding news: Techshaw - https://techshaw.com

Free newsletter: https://techshaw.substack.com/

Other ways to listen: https://techshaw.com/misaal

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/zahid

A couple of weeks back, Pakistan unveiled its federal budget for FY24. It is as predictable as one has come to expect. A lot of borrowing to pay for the basics. However, this budget had one unique feature: the focus on IT.

So I asked Mutaher Khan, who did an excellent round-up of all IT-related proposals in the budget for DAWN news, to come and share his thoughts.

Guest: Mutaher Khan | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mutaherkhan/

DAWN Article: https://www.dawn.com/news/1759282

Host: Zahid Lilani - https://twitter.com/ZahidLilani

Presented by: Techshaw - https://techshaw.com

Free newsletter: https://techshaw.substack.com/

Other ways to listen: https://techshaw.com/misaal

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/zahid

My guest in this episode of the misaal podcast is helping blue-collar workers find the opportunities they deserve and get an edge in the job market.

His name is Salman Shahid, and he is the co-founder of Dost. 

Find out why he believes Dost is the best platform for blue-collar workers to find jobs and for employers to hire qualified candidates.

Guest: Salman Shahid | https://www.linkedin.com/in/salman-shahid-678abb78/

Startup: Dost | https://dost.work/

Host: Zahid Lilani - https://twitter.com/ZahidLilani

Presented by: Techshaw - https://techshaw.com

Free newsletter: https://techshaw.substack.com/

Other ways to listen: https://techshaw.com/misaal

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/zahid

My guest in this episode of the misaal podcast is changing how Pakistanis invest. His startup allows investors in Pakistan to invest in the U.S. stock market.

His name is Farooq Tirmizi, and he is the co-founder of Elphinstone. For as little as $100, you can start investing in the U.S. stock market with Elphinstone.

Guest: Farooq Tirmizi | https://www.linkedin.com/in/farooqtirmizi/

Startup: Elphinstone | https://elphinstone.us

Host: Zahid Lilani - https://twitter.com/ZahidLilani

Presented by: Techshaw - https://techshaw.com

Free newsletter: https://techshaw.substack.com/

Other ways to listen: https://techshaw.com/misaal

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/zahid

My guest in this episode of the misaal podcast is bringing all your favorite creators and experts in their fields to one platform so you can learn in-demand skills and up your game.

He’s a creative tour de force and an invisible hand behind many creators you all love and cherish. I, for one, have learned a great deal about editing from his many YouTube tutorials.

His name is Aamir Bhagat, and he is the founder of ITeachStuff. It’s like Skillshare but much better. And in Urdu.

Guest: Aamir Bhagat | https://www.linkedin.com/in/aamir-bhagat-b02800b/

Startup: ITeachStuff | https://www.iteachstuff.net/

Host: Zahid Lilani - https://twitter.com/ZahidLilani

Presented by: Techshaw - https://techshaw.com

Free newsletter: https://techshaw.substack.com/

Other ways to listen: https://techshaw.com/misaal

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/zahid