Citadel Pathfinder School of Excellence and the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) formalised a partnership at a signing ceremony held at Karachi’s Expo Center to identify, mentor and launch Pakistani startups onto the global stage. The agreement aims to prepare selected ventures for the Davos Challenge at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026, offering mentorship, industry connections and international visibility.
Under the MoU, Citadel Pathfinder’s mentoring framework will be integrated with P@SHA’s network of over 1,500 IT and IT-enabled services companies to provide hands-on coaching, sector-specific guidance and access to potential investors. The collaboration emphasises practical skills development and pitch readiness so finalists can represent Pakistan effectively at Davos in January 2026.
Ikram Sehgal, Chairman of the Pathfinder Group, said the partnership will transform youth potential into global opportunity. “Citadel Pathfinder is dedicated to foster innovation that drives job creation and economic growth. By partnering with P@SHA, we’re not just building skills—we’re building bridges to the world economy, starting with the Davos Challenge,” he said, highlighting the role of mentoring in scaling early-stage ventures.
Sajjad Mustafa Syed, Chairman of P@SHA, described the Davos Challenge as a rare platform for Pakistani entrepreneurs to engage top-tier investors and international partners. “P@SHA is thrilled to collaborate with Citadel Pathfinder to unlock the untapped potential of our startups. Through this MoU, we’ll equip our entrepreneurs with the tools to compete, innovate, and thrive on the world stage,” he added.
The Citadel Pathfinder School of Excellence, launched by the Pathfinder Group, focuses on skill development, job creation and economic empowerment. This initiative arrives as Pakistan’s IT sector targets more than $5 billion in exports by 2026, and leaders see participation in the Davos Challenge as a strategic step to showcase capabilities in AI, climate tech and other emerging areas.
The partnership is expected to not only prepare startups for a high-stakes pitch environment but also to create longer-term collaborations between Pakistani innovators and global stakeholders. With the Davos Challenge as a focal point, the alliance positions local founders to gain critical exposure, funding opportunities and cross-border partnerships that can accelerate growth at home and abroad.
