Pakistan Could Get New $50 Million Startup Fund

The World Bank is set to introduce a $50 million fund aimed at encouraging private investment in Pakistan's startups and innovative businesses. This initiative, known as the Pakistan Entrepreneurship and Private Investment Catalyst Project, seeks to enhance access to venture capital. The project is anticipated to be reviewed by the World Bank’s Executive Board in early 2027.

The plan involves creating a Fund of Funds that would invest in professionally managed venture capital funds, providing early-stage and growth financing to high-growth companies in Pakistan. The ultimate goal is to attract both domestic and international private investors into the country’s nascent venture capital market. By leveraging established fund managers, the project aims to tackle the persistent lack of financing for startups and businesses with growth potential.

The World Bank document suggests that improved access to private capital could spur business expansion, foster innovation and productivity, and generate more quality jobs in the long run. The project will operate nationwide, with its investment portfolio shaped by Pakistan's broader environmental and social context. Currently, the initiative is only a proposal and is expected to be presented to the World Bank’s Executive Board in early 2027.