EP 331 - Empowering Entrepreneurs: The Resilience of Pakistan's Startup Founders - Kalsoom Lakhani - co-Founder and General Partner of I2I Ventures

"I think one of my biggest values as a human being is curiosity. I do try to show up a lot every day with curiosity. And so I think that the difference then is that instead of approaching something with judgment, I often approach it from a place of curiosity. I'm like, okay, well, tell me more. I also have a master's degree in conflict resolution, which is a really interesting background for an investor." - Kalsoom Lakhani

The Asia Tech Podcast was joined by Kalsoom Lakhani, a co-Founder and General Partner of I2I Ventures. As a daughter of a Bangladeshi mother and a Pakistani father, Kalsoom grew up with a rich tapestry of cultural experiences, which shaped her into a third culture kid adept at navigating diverse environments. This background fueled her curiosity and empathy, key traits that have significantly influenced her professional life and her approach to investing in Pakistan's nascent but growing startup landscape.

Some of the topics Kalsoom covered in detail:

• The evolution of the Pakistani startup ecosystem, which was still nascent when I2I was started in 2011
• The challenges of ecosystem building requires the convergence of multiple elements—entrepreneurs, investors, regulatory frameworks, and support systems.
• The resilience and ingenuity of Pakistani founders, who often operate with limited resources in challenging environments.
• The growing influence of artificial intelligence and the importance of addressing its ethical and societal implications.
• A recurring theme was the importance of embracing nuance and complexity. Whether in cultural identity, ecosystem building, or technology, Kalsoom advocates for a deeper, more empathetic understanding.