Startup fever is gripping the world's last big untapped nation: Pakistan

Multiple local entrepreneurs got in touch, seeking advice on funding and how to accelerate their startups in Pakistan.

The startup scene in the world’s fifth-largest nation is having a breakout year. 

More money has flowed into Pakistan’s nascent technology sector during 2021 than in the previous six years combined, with investors from the U.S., Singapore and the United Arab Emirates joining the rush. And one former Microsoft Corp. and LinkedIn Corp. employee has been involved in about half the fundraising deals. 

Until 2018, Pakistan-born Aatif Awan was living the dream in Silicon Valley. After more than a decade working for tech heavyweights, he’d become an angel investor for American startups and bought a house in San Francisco. Then he