These Pakistani Startups Have Made it to the Forbes Asia 100 to Watch List

This year, two Pakistani fintech startups have earned a place on the Forbes Asia 100 to Watch list, a ranking that spotlights ventures making waves across the Asia-Pacific region. The list is known for showcasing variety. From AI-powered consumer platforms and industrial innovations to healthcare wearables and social enterprises, Forbes highlights startups that are not only innovative but also shaping industries with lasting impact. In its 2025 edition, the 100 to Watch includes a mix of private companies and emerging entrepreneurs from across the region. Pakistan’s presence on the Forbes Asia 100 to Watch list comes through two Karachi-based fintech firms, Haball and PostEx, both backed by venture capital firm Zayn VC. Haball, launched in 2017, specializes in Shariah-compliant B2B financial technology, offering services such as digital invoicing, tax compliance, and working capital financing. The company has already processed transactions worth more than $3 billion. Earlier this year, it secured $52 million in fresh funding, which included $5 million in equity and $47 million in financing from Meezan Bank. PostEx, founded in 2020, combines logistics with fintech solutions aimed at Pakistan’s fast-growing e-commerce sector. Its services include upfront cash payments on delivery to help sellers manage cash flow more effectively. In 2022, the company expanded by acquiring Call Courier, and later raised $7.3 million in a pre-Series A funding round to fuel its planned entry into Middle Eastern markets. As for the top three countries on the list, India leads the pack with a total of 18 companies, and Singapore and Japan both come in second place with 14 companies each. China takes third place with 9 startups marked on the list.