Introduction

Kalsoom Lakhani is a name that resonates deeply within Pakistan’s entrepreneurial and venture capital landscape. A Pakistani-American entrepreneur, investor, and social innovator, Lakhani has dedicated much of her career to empowering startups, advocating for inclusive growth, and mentoring a new generation of entrepreneurs. As the founder of Invest2Innovate (i2i) and co-founder of i2i Ventures, Lakhani has played a pivotal role in shaping Pakistan’s startup ecosystem, ensuring that entrepreneurs receive the support they need to thrive in the competitive and fast-evolving global market.

Early Life and Education

Born in Dubai to a Bangladeshi mother and a Pakistani father, Kalsoom Lakhani’s early life was shaped by a multicultural environment. Raised in Dhaka and Islamabad, her upbringing allowed her to embrace a wide array of cultural influences, fostering an appreciation for diversity and a deep understanding of global dynamics. Lakhani’s early years were marked by an exposure to multiple languages, cultures, and perspectives, which would later play a significant role in her approach to business and social impact.

Lakhani attended the University of Virginia, where she completed her B.A. in Foreign Affairs and Middle East Studies. These fields of study not only gave her a foundation in international relations but also sparked an interest in understanding the complexities of social and economic development. Following this, she pursued an M.A. in International Affairs/Conflict Resolution from George Washington University, solidifying her passion for conflict resolution and social impact on a global scale.

Her academic background laid the groundwork for the rest of her professional journey, which would see her moving between roles in media, international affairs, and entrepreneurship.

Early Career: From Media to Social Impact

Before embarking on her entrepreneurial path, Lakhani worked in media analysis, venture philanthropy, and international research. In the early 2000s, she became involved with a project called CHUP (Changing Up Pakistan), a blog she created to address social issues affecting Pakistan. CHUP became an important platform for raising awareness and providing insights on various topics related to Pakistan’s development, including women’s rights, politics, and social justice.

This experience ignited her desire to play an active role in creating positive change in Pakistan, but it was also the moment she began to realize the power of social entrepreneurship. By examining the challenges and opportunities within Pakistan’s economy, she identified the potential of technology and entrepreneurship to drive large-scale social impact.

During this period, Lakhani also gained experience working with several global organizations, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the World Bank. These roles introduced her to the intricacies of development work and highlighted the immense challenges faced by emerging economies. However, more importantly, these experiences showed her that true impact could come from empowering local communities to solve their own problems through innovation and entrepreneurship.

Founding Invest2Innovate (i2i)

In 2011, Lakhani took a bold step toward realizing her vision of creating an ecosystem for entrepreneurs in Pakistan. She founded Invest2Innovate (i2i), an organization dedicated to helping early-stage entrepreneurs in emerging markets like Pakistan. At a time when the country’s startup ecosystem was still in its infancy, Lakhani recognized a significant gap between the rapidly growing pool of entrepreneurial talent and the support they needed to succeed.

Through i2i, Lakhani set out to address this gap by providing startups with the mentorship, funding, and resources necessary to scale their businesses. i2i focused on capacity-building programs that offered comprehensive support for startups, from business strategy to fundraising. The initiative became a beacon of hope for young Pakistani entrepreneurs, many of whom had brilliant ideas but lacked the resources and networks to turn those ideas into successful businesses.

i2i’s acceleration programs quickly gained popularity, and it became a key player in fostering Pakistan’s nascent startup culture. Over the years, i2i has supported more than 60 startups, collectively raising over $7.5 million in funding. These startups span various sectors, from technology and healthcare to education and agriculture. Through its work, i2i helped create more than 2,000 jobs, playing a significant role in Pakistan’s economic development by promoting entrepreneurship as a tool for social and economic empowerment.

Moreover, Lakhani’s work with i2i wasn’t confined to Pakistan alone. The organization extended its impact across South Asia, partnering with global organizations like Facebook, Google, and the World Bank to create programs that supported startups in Bangladesh, Nepal, Vietnam, Cambodia, and other emerging markets. Lakhani’s ability to collaborate with international organizations allowed i2i to scale its impact and build networks that extended far beyond the borders of Pakistan.

Co-Founding i2i Ventures

In 2019, Lakhani took her impact to the next level by co-founding i2i Ventures, Pakistan’s first female-led venture capital firm. With a mission to support bold, innovative startups, i2i Ventures focuses on investing in early-stage, tech-driven companies that have the potential to solve pressing social problems and create scalable solutions.

The $15 million fund was designed to provide the capital necessary to fuel the growth of early-stage companies in Pakistan. i2i Ventures quickly became an important player in Pakistan’s venture capital ecosystem, as it began making investments in high-potential startups across industries like fintech, edtech, healthtech, and agritech.

One of the most notable investments of i2i Ventures was CreditBook, a digital bookkeeping app that helps small businesses in Pakistan manage their finances. The app’s innovative approach to solving financial inclusion challenges garnered significant attention from investors, including Tiger Global, which made its first-ever investment in Pakistan through CreditBook.

Through i2i Ventures, Lakhani has continued to support startups with the guidance and capital needed to scale, and her work has helped create a growing pipeline of successful entrepreneurs in Pakistan. The firm has invested in 11 startups to date, and its portfolio is a testament to Lakhani’s keen eye for identifying high-impact ventures that can have lasting effects on Pakistan’s economy.

Advocacy and Thought Leadership

In addition to her work as an entrepreneur and investor, Kalsoom Lakhani has established herself as a prominent thought leader and advocate for inclusive innovation. She is passionate about creating an environment where women can thrive as entrepreneurs, and she has worked tirelessly to support women in tech and business.

Lakhani has served as a mentor to countless entrepreneurs, guiding them through the challenges of launching and scaling their ventures. She has also spoken at various global forums, including the World Economic Forum, the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, and the Aspen Ideas Festival, where she has shared her insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, and development.

Her work has earned her recognition from several global platforms, including being named a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and being included in Diplomatic Courier’s Top 99 Foreign Policy Leaders under 33. In addition, Lakhani was recognized as one of the Top 40 Under 40 by Forbes Pakistan and has been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Financial Times for her contributions to entrepreneurship and development in Pakistan.

A Legacy of Impact

Kalsoom Lakhani’s journey is an inspiring story of dedication, perseverance, and innovation. She has been a trailblazer for women in the world of entrepreneurship and venture capital, and her work has paved the way for future generations of Pakistani entrepreneurs to succeed on the global stage.

Through Invest2Innovate and i2i Ventures, Lakhani has had a direct hand in shaping Pakistan’s startup ecosystem, empowering thousands of entrepreneurs to create businesses that solve real-world problems. Beyond her work as an investor, Lakhani has been a vocal advocate for inclusive growth and has worked tirelessly to create opportunities for underrepresented groups, especially women, in Pakistan’s tech and business sectors.

Her work is not only about building companies but also about building communities, creating jobs, and driving economic growth in a country that has immense untapped potential. The businesses she has supported are changing the narrative of what is possible in Pakistan, showing that innovation can thrive even in challenging environments.

Kalsoom Lakhani’s career is a testament to the power of entrepreneurship to transform societies. Through her work with Invest2Innovate, i2i Ventures, and her other initiatives, she has shown that it is possible to create a thriving startup ecosystem even in regions where the path to success is not always clear. Lakhani’s vision of empowering entrepreneurs, particularly women, and her relentless commitment to supporting inclusive innovation has made a profound impact on Pakistan’s economic landscape.

As a mentor, investor, and advocate, Lakhani has been at the forefront of shaping Pakistan’s entrepreneurial future. Her legacy is one of innovation, empowerment, and social change, and her story will continue to inspire future generations of entrepreneurs and changemakers around the world.

Through her dedication to creating scalable solutions, fostering talent, and advocating for change, Lakhani remains one of the most influential figures in Pakistan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Conclusion

Kalsoom Lakhani’s journey as an entrepreneur, investor, and advocate has had a transformative impact on Pakistan’s startup ecosystem. Through Invest2Innovate (i2i), she created a platform that not only provided early-stage entrepreneurs with the resources they needed to succeed but also helped shape the broader entrepreneurial landscape in Pakistan and beyond. Lakhani’s leadership in co-founding i2i Ventures, Pakistan’s first female-led venture capital fund, further exemplifies her commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and fostering innovation.

Her strategic investments in tech startups have opened doors for many Pakistani businesses to scale, attracting both local and global attention. Additionally, her advocacy for women’s inclusion in entrepreneurship and her work as a mentor and thought leader have positioned Lakhani as a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women, across the globe.

Beyond her achievements in business, Lakhani’s legacy is rooted in her ability to create lasting change through inclusive innovation. Her work continues to inspire entrepreneurs to push boundaries, break through limitations, and build businesses that make a social impact. Kalsoom Lakhani’s vision, leadership, and commitment to social change will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on Pakistan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and beyond.