Gobi Partners Launches $50 Million Fund to Support Pakistani Startups

Gobi Partners, a pan-Asian venture capital firm, has launched the $50 million Techxila Fund II and signed an MoU with the Bank of Punjab (BoP) to strengthen Pakistan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The announcement was made during the Pakistan Investment Conference in Shanghai, part of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s visit to China. Techxila Fund II aims to support Pakistani startups in fintech, e-commerce, health tech, logistics, and SaaS. It seeks to foster innovation, empower under-served entrepreneurs, and drive sustainable growth in emerging markets. This initiative builds on the success of Techxila Fund I, which supported 22 startups. These ventures collectively impacted 3.2 million low-income households, generated $245 million in revenue, and issued $54 million in loans in 2023. The MoU with BoP will provide startups with equity investments, preferential financing, and improved credit access. It also includes mentorship programs and tailored financial products to promote growth. Maryam Nawaz remarked that the fund would boost innovation, create jobs, and enhance Pakistan’s tech sector. BoP CEO Zafar Masud called the collaboration a critical step for Pakistan’s startup ecosystem. Gobi Chairman Thomas G. Tsao reaffirmed their commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and driving long-term economic growth.