it only matters if all of those were things were invented in Pakistan.
There are hundreds of products developed by migrants to US or visiting faculties from EU in US and patented in Europe...this is not important that these products has to be developed in the periphery of Pakistan. Keeping in mind the high number of Pak diaspora, more than 9 million Pakistanis abroad.
And you should be supportive of Pakistani innovation and should encourage and say that with the right ecosystem the right incubation in R&D Pakistan can move ahead, instead of negativity and pessimism.
Encouragement and appreciation are needed, criticism is the easiest thing to do.
BTW many are new and few year old products, like HDI index used worldwide by Pakistani. Omayya reservoir...and many more. Quite surprised by your comments....as written earlier people of Pakistan tend to go for foreign products...that mentality needed to be changed...
Innovation is a culture, supported by govt and families. Pakistani family structure lack that support where young man
More than that even a Pakistani businessman will not support a local innovative idea from a newbie, from a young Pakistani innovator just for the fact that he think Pakistanis will not buy a local product...slave mentality.
Also the foreign preference and the lack of belief in our own talent is the major thing. It is actually the lack of belief in local talent and local products...the comments shows it.
10 Pakistani startups that made a mark in 2016
In a recent poll by the Thompson Reuters Foundation, Pakistan was ranked among the world’s major economies where social entrepreneurship has been gaining momentum. Local accelerator Invest2Innovate (i2i) also made a similar conclusion in its Pakistan Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Report 2016, concluding that the country’s entrepreneurial landscape had been flourishing despite challenges.
The startup culture in Pakistan is mainly driven by the nation’s young working with private accelerators and incubators. In a society where under-30s make up for two-thirds of the population along with strong private sector support, the future for social entrepreneurship in general and startups in particular looks promising.
1. Slide
Slide is an android based lock screen app that entices users to read content and click on ads by rewarding them with free internet and mobile recharge. What makes the app standout among other similar apps is that it allows users to select content of their interest. The app features a simple design that is seamlessly integrated in the smartphone’s lock screen. Users can choose content from an array of topics that include current affairs, sports, entertainment and fashion among others.
With Slide, Pakistan gets its first lockscreen app
The startup quickly tasted success, with downloads ranging between one to five million. It is worth mentioning that the app also secured $3.6 million in series A funding from South Korean VC firm Songhyun Investment, bringing its total investment to $4.6 million.
2. BeautyHooked
BeautyHooked is Pakistan’s first woman-funded, woman-run startup which provides a one-stop destination for females to browse salon and spa services, review prices and book appointments online. The startup also provides local industry players with a platform at a subscription.
BeautyHooked’s innovative idea led it to secure $280,000 in funding from Fatima Ventures within a year of its launch. The startup has now set its sight on capturing new markets.
3. Finja
Founded by tech and banking veterans,
Finja is a Fin-tech startup that aims to digitise financial services in the country. The Lahore-based startup capitalises on rapidly growing smartphone penetration and a digitally literate population by offering financial services through its mobile wallet products.
Finja was successful in raising $1 million from Swedish investment firm Vostok Emerging Finance earlier this year and expects to raise the remaining $500k of it $1.5 million bridge-seeding soon.
4. Smart Devices
Smart Devices is among the first few Pakistani startups to employ IoT (internet of things) systems. The award-winning startup offers products that allow people to control home appliances from smartphones and computers.
This Pakistani startup offers solutions to differently-abled people
The Lahore-based startup offers electronic devices featuring WiFi functionality to replace the conventional plug and socket set up. The startup also has dedicated Android and Chrome apps as well as a cloud service, allowing its products to be in sync with different devices.
Smart Devices was nominated for the World Summit Award (WSA) this year. The startup also won the first ever IoT award in the Smart Home Category at Telenor’s IoT expo last year.