On August 26th, Karachi played host to an electrifying event that sent ripples through its burgeoning startup ecosystem. The occasion? Karachi Slush’D, an entrepreneurial extravaganza that showcased the city’s potential as a global hub for innovation and business development. Organized by Katalyst Labs, this event brought together the best and brightest in the world of startups, investment, and technology to discuss, network, and inspire.

Karachi Slush’D embodied the spirit of bringing one of the world’s most prominent startup events to Pakistan’s largest city. Its core message was clear: building, eating, supporting, and living locally is the key to our collective futures. The event covered a wide array of topics, from economic sustainability to societal progress through self-sustaining models.

The event featured a diverse array of speakers and sessions. Jehan Ara, CEO & Founder of Katalyst Labs, opened the event, setting the stage for the day’s exciting proceedings followed by Madiha Latif, Managing Partner at Zuria Dor, who shared her vision for making Pakistan a global player in luxury fashion.

The day’s various events were kicked off by various well known special guests. Omar Omari, the visionary food entrepreneur behind Eat Food Pakistan, discussed the importance of local food initiatives and supporting homegrown entrepreneurs while Myra Jahangir, the founder of Co-Natural, shared her journey of exporting organic skin and haircare products to international markets.

Rafiq Malik, COO at Bykea, shed light on how Bykea has become Pakistan’s largest transport network and a household name. This followed by Ali Taiyeb of Vector Institute who provided insights into building value-based partnerships and his commitment to Pakistan’s entrepreneurial sector.

The event also included an Investor AMA session with Faisal Aftab, Kirill Kozhevnikov, Misbah Naqvi, and Rabeel Warraich, offering valuable insights into the minds of local and international investors.

In addition to these thought-provoking sessions, attendees enjoyed networking opportunities via matchmaking sessions, side events, and even an improvised comedy experience by The Introverts.

Founders’ School featured prominent entrepreneurs like Maha Shahzad, Sameer Ahmed Khan, Omer Khan, and Saad Jangda, who shared their experiences and wisdom. This followed by a Fireside Chat between Coke Studio and Spotify, moderated by Sabah Bano Malik, added a unique flavor to the event.

The “Shift to Thrift” panel discussion, moderated by Ziana Sukhia, explored sustainability in the fashion industry, featuring well known personalities in the industry Mateen Ansari, Muhammad Teli, and Sidra Mujahid.

The event concluded with Founder Feud, a thrilling competition featuring Krave Mart, Maqsad, OkayKer, and ConnectHear.

Karachi Slush’D was not just an event; it was a celebration of innovation, entrepreneurship, and the spirit of local empowerment. It demonstrated that Pakistan’s startup ecosystem is vibrant, ready to take on the world, and committed to shaping a brighter future. As Slush’D continues to empower local ecosystems globally, events like Karachi Slush’D serve as beacons of inspiration, igniting the fires of innovation and entrepreneurship in countries like Pakistan