KARACHI: Visa, the world’s leader in digital payments, hosted a gathering to welcome a select group of influential start-up founders in Pakistan, providing a platform to discuss and explore prominent prospects within the country’s fintech and start-up landscape.

The gathering was hosted by Visa’s Regional President for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA), Andrew Torre, Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for North Africa, Levant, and Pakistan (NALP), Leila Serhan, and Country Manager for Pakistan Umar S Khan, reaffirming Visa’s commitment to Pakistan’s fintech and startup sector.

The event’s success was marked by the visionary founders showcasing innovative approaches to tackling commercial and customer-centric challenges. Start-ups in attendance included Chikoo, CreditBook, Dastgyr, Digikhata, Haball, Jazari, Kuickpay, MedzNMore, PostEx and Polly and Other Stories.

At the event, Andrew Torre also shared plans to bring Visa’s She’s Next programme for the first time to Pakistan this year. She’s Next is focused on unlocking the potential of women entrepreneurs and small business owners through grants, mentoring and networking opportunities.

Since 2020, Visa has invested more than $ 2.2 million in over 200 grants and coaching for women SMB owners through the grant programme globally, including in the US, Canada, India, the Middle East, and Ireland.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023