Online Event
Meet the top FI entrepreneurs from South Asia
Behind every startup is a story. Learn proven growth tactics with the top FI entrepreneurs
Date
Jul 15, 2026
Time
08:30 am - 09:30 am
Address
Online Event
Behind every startup is a story. Learn what it takes to build an enduring startup, proven growth tactics, and raise investment with the top FI entrepreneurs from South Asia. Alumni companies of the Founder Institute startup program have raised over $[total_funding] in funding, and are building some of the world's fastest-growing technology businesses. As the next Lahore cohort gets ready to start, join us for this online event to find out more about the key learnings that helped these founders to succeed
Speakers/Panelists:
Zain Farooq: Zain is a medical doctor turned fintech entrepreneur. He is the Managing Director at Barq Pakistan (formerly MyTM). He founded MyTM in 2015 to empower youth and underserved communities through accessible digital payments and financial services. Despite 800+ investor rejections, he raised $150,000 in a tough economic climate (COVID). MyTM was the first Pakistani startup to win GITEX Supernova in 2021, competing against 2,200+ startups globally. MyTM went on to raise USD 6.9 million in seed funding. In 2025, MyTM was acquired by Barq Group (Saudi Arabia).
Mustafa Momin: Mustafa is building Bangladesh’s first homegrown electric vehicle company, Palki Motors. What started as a dream back in 2009 became a mission to help thousands of commercial drivers own electric cars, earn more, and drive a cleaner future. After failing his first startup, he sold his house to build his first prototype. He initially got a loan from an investor. He raised funding from Accelerating Asia and Loyal VC. Paliki Motors is the first Bangladeshi startup to win the USD 1 million Zayed Sustainability Prize Winner from the UAE government.
Jeewan Hettigamage:
What You'll Learn:
Zain Farooq: Zain is a medical doctor turned fintech entrepreneur. He is the Managing Director at Barq Pakistan (formerly MyTM). He founded MyTM in 2015 to empower youth and underserved communities through accessible digital payments and financial services. Despite 800+ investor rejections, he raised $150,000 in a tough economic climate (COVID). MyTM was the first Pakistani startup to win GITEX Supernova in 2021, competing against 2,200+ startups globally. MyTM went on to raise USD 6.9 million in seed funding. In 2025, MyTM was acquired by Barq Group (Saudi Arabia).
Mustafa Momin: Mustafa is building Bangladesh’s first homegrown electric vehicle company, Palki Motors. What started as a dream back in 2009 became a mission to help thousands of commercial drivers own electric cars, earn more, and drive a cleaner future. After failing his first startup, he sold his house to build his first prototype. He initially got a loan from an investor. He raised funding from Accelerating Asia and Loyal VC. Paliki Motors is the first Bangladeshi startup to win the USD 1 million Zayed Sustainability Prize Winner from the UAE government.
Jeewan Hettigamage:
What You'll Learn:
- Proven tactics to build and grow a strong startup.
- What investors seek in pre-seed and seed founders.
- How to avoid common founder pitfalls.
- Details on the Founder Institute accelerator experience from Graduates that completed the program.
Who Should Attend:
- Early-stage founders or anyone with a startup idea ready to learn and grow.
- Aspiring entrepreneurs seeking actionable feedback on their idea.
- Individuals looking to join a startup or connect with FI Alumni and fellow founders.
- Anyone that wants to ask FI Graduates questions about their experience in the program.
Additional Resources:
Explore more Startup Events, meet Founder Institute Graduates from six continents, and get inspired by the latest Graduate News.
About Founder Institute:
The Founder Institute is the World's Largest AI-Native Company Builder, giving idea-stage, first-time founders, and employees making the leap to entrepreneurship the tools, global network, and proven methodology to build an AI-powered startup from zero to funding. Since 2009, our structured programs have helped over 9,000 founders across 100 countries raise more than $2BN in funding including unicorns such as Udemy and Esusu. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 6 continents, our mission is to empower talented and motivated people everywhere to build impactful, AI-powered companies.
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The Founder Institute is the world’s most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses. Since 2009, our AI-native company-building programs have helped over 9,000 entrepreneurs raise over 2BN in funding. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 100 countries, our mission is to empower communities of talented and motivated people to build impactful technology companies worldwide.
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