5 Pakistani Startups That Started Small & Made It Big
Pakistan’s startup ecosystem has seen remarkable growth in the past decade. What once seemed impossible is now a reality—homegrown businesses are attracting global investors, expanding internationally, and solving real-world problems.
Some of today’s biggest startups in Pakistan began with humble beginnings—just a simple idea, a small budget, and a vision to solve a problem. What made them succeed? A combination of market research, innovation, scalability, and customer trust.
In this article, we’ll look at five inspiring Pakistani startups that started small and scaled into industry giants.
1. Careem – From a Local Ride Service to a Billion-Dollar Acquisition
The Beginning
Careem was founded in 2012 by Mudassir Sheikha and Magnus Olsson with a simple goal—to make transportation easier in Pakistan and the Middle East. It started as a corporate car-booking service, targeting businesses instead of individual users.
The Growth
- Expanded from a basic ride-hailing service to motorbikes, tuk-tuks, and food delivery.
- Entered 100+ cities across the Middle East, Pakistan, and North Africa.
- Built a cash-based system to cater to regions with low digital payment adoption.
The Big Break
In 2019, Uber acquired Careem for $3.1 billion, making it Pakistan’s first unicorn startup (a company valued over $1 billion).
Key Success Factors
✅ Localized solutions – Adapted services to regional needs.
✅ Trust-building – Ensured safety, verified drivers, and offered live tracking.
✅ Scalability – Expanded beyond ride-hailing into food delivery and digital payments.
2. Zameen.com – Revolutionizing Pakistan’s Real Estate Market
The Beginning
Founded in 2006 by brothers Zeeshan and Imran Ali Khan, Zameen.com started as a small online property listing platform. At the time, most property dealings were offline and unstructured.
The Growth
- Gained popularity as Pakistan’s first dedicated real estate portal.
- Expanded into property development, market insights, and online booking.
- Created a trust-based ecosystem for buyers, sellers, and developers.
The Big Break
Zameen.com attracted international investors and became part of EMPG (Emerging Markets Property Group), a global real estate giant.
Key Success Factors
✅ First-mover advantage – Entered the online real estate market before competitors.
✅ Data-driven approach – Provided transparent pricing, legal guidance, and market trends.
✅ User-friendly experience – Simplified the property-buying process.
3. Daraz – From a Startup to Pakistan’s Biggest E-Commerce Platform
The Beginning
Launched in 2012, Daraz was originally an online fashion retailer. Unlike today’s Daraz, it had a limited product range and was focused on premium brands.
The Growth
- Shifted from fashion to a full-scale marketplace selling everything from electronics to groceries.
- Expanded into Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Nepal.
- Introduced Daraz Express (DEX), Pakistan’s first dedicated e-commerce logistics service.
The Big Break
In 2018, Alibaba acquired Daraz, giving it access to global funding, logistics, and technology infrastructure.
Key Success Factors
✅ Customer focus – Ensured secure payments and buyer protection.
✅ Logistics innovation – Built a fast delivery system to compete with international platforms.
✅ Marketing mastery – Leveraged massive sales events like 11.11 and Black Friday.
4. Bykea – Transforming Bike Transport & Delivery in Pakistan
The Beginning
Bykea was launched in 2016 as a low-cost bike ride-hailing startup by Muneeb Maayr. The idea was simple: affordable transport for Pakistan’s congested cities.
The Growth
- Expanded into parcel delivery, logistics, and financial services.
- Partnered with small businesses to help them with quick deliveries.
- Introduced Bykea Wallet, enabling cashless transactions.
The Big Break
Bykea raised $22 million in funding from international investors, making it one of Pakistan’s most successful mobility startups.
Key Success Factors
✅ Affordable pricing – Made commuting cheaper than taxis.
✅ Versatility – Combined ride-hailing, courier, and digital payments.
✅ Trust-building – Implemented driver verification and live tracking for safety.
5. Airlift – From Local Bus Service to a Global Logistics Powerhouse
The Beginning
Airlift was founded in 2019 as a bus-sharing service to provide affordable and efficient transport.
The Growth
- Pivoted to e-commerce logistics during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Focused on quick commerce, promising deliveries within 30 minutes.
- Attracted global investors by solving Pakistan’s logistics challenges.
The Big Break
Airlift raised $85 million in funding, making it Pakistan’s largest-ever startup investment.
Key Success Factors
✅ Adaptability – Quickly pivoted from transport to e-commerce logistics.
✅ Investor confidence – Attracted global venture capitalists.
✅ Market fit – Targeted Pakistan’s growing demand for fast deliveries.
Conclusion
These five startups prove that small beginnings can lead to massive success. Their journeys highlight key lessons:
💡 Solve a real problem – Careem and Bykea tackled transport challenges.
💡 Be adaptable – Airlift pivoted from transport to logistics.
💡 Leverage technology – Zameen.com and Daraz created digital solutions for growing markets.
What’s the biggest takeaway?
You don’t need millions to start—you just need a great idea, execution, and persistence! 🚀
