Zayn Venture Capital (Zayn.VC) is a prominent investment firm that actively supports and funds innovative Pakistani start-ups that are revolutionizing various industries through technology. Our primary focus is on early-stage companies, and while we remain open to opportunities in all sectors, we particularly analyze each company through a FinTech lens.
With a diverse investment portfolio, we have successfully invested in a wide range of sectors in Pakistan, including B2C and B2B E-Commerce, Logistics, and Fintech. Notably, over 50% of our portfolio is dedicated to supporting and nurturing leading Pakistani FinTech companies, recognizing their immense potential for growth and disruption in the financial sector.
Our fund thesis centers around the belief that exchange of value protocols will play a pivotal role in disrupting industries and driving technology adoption in the coming decade. We also recognize the transformative potential of the convergence between blockchain technology and artificial intelligence, which will have a profound impact on our way of life and society as a whole.
In line with this thesis, our investment focus is directed towards technology platforms and marketplaces that effectively capture offline economic activity, particularly user data. We anticipate that these platforms will eventually serve as the foundation for payments, fintech solutions, and trusted sources of accredited data for artificial intelligence applications.
We are particularly interested in frontier markets like Pakistan, where the predominantly informal economy can experience significant GDP growth through the adoption of technology. Factors such as increasing smartphone penetration, improved access to data, and evolving regulatory frameworks (such as OECD CRS, FATF, and Basel III) further contribute to the favorable investment landscape in these markets.
We pride ourselves on our ability to partner with and support startups in Pakistan, equipping them with the resources to reach their potential. We have a keen eye for identifying opportunities that have the power to disrupt industries and create real-world impact.
As experienced local partners, we also help connect global capital and investor interest to high-quality startup investment opportunities in Pakistan.
Faisal Aftab is a Pakistani-American who is a notable and respected figure in Pakistan's thriving tech industry, boasting an impressive 25-year career as an executive, entrepreneur, and venture investor. He is also a Shark in the Pakistan edition of the television show Shark Tank.
His investment philosophy is centered on technological shifts that are driven by the complex interplay of global macroeconomic and geopolitical factors, along with the transformative potential of cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence. He was an early investor in both Bitcoin and Ethereum, recognizing their potential as digital commodities before many others.
Faisal has established two leading venture capital firms in Pakistan and has a proven track record of successful investments. His portfolio companies have raised over $500m in Debt & Equity Funding. As the Founder and General Partner of Zayn VC, he is well-positioned to continue driving Pakistan's tech sector forward, fostering innovation, and attracting both local and international investors.
Some of Faisal's notable investments include Haball, NayaPay, PostEX, Bookme.pk, Abhi Finance, AdalFi, EduFi, Bazaar-tech, KTrade, SnappRetail, Laam.pk, Krave Mart, GrocerApp, Truck It In, Savyour, Roomy.pk, Bagallery, Trellis Housing Finance, Tazah, Zaraye, and Colabs.
He holds an MBA from Oxford University and joint Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Michigan State University.
