In a remarkable testament to Pakistani entrepreneurial prowess, a Karachi-born company has set out on a mission to become one of the world’s leading venture builders and investors from the MENA region. Today, Disrupt.com—founded by Aaqib Gadit, Uzair Gadit, and Umair Gadit—has announced a $100 million commitment to build and back AI-first technology ventures worldwide.
This bold move comes at a time when venture capital funding is in decline globally, with MENA VC investments dropping 29% to just under $2 billion in 2024, and UAE funding decreasing by 8% to $613 million. Amidst this downturn, Disrupt.com is taking a contrarian approach, leveraging their entrepreneurial expertise to empower the next wave of technology pioneers.
Pakistani Founders Leading Global Innovation
The Disrupt.com story traces back to Pakistan, where the three founders started their entrepreneurial journey in their university days. Originally founded as Gaditek in Karachi in 2008, the company grew from a small office into a global player in the technology industry. It made headlines in 2022 with the $350 million acquisition of Malta-based Cloudways by US-listed DigitalOcean Holdings—the largest exit in the Pakistani tech sector to date. This successful exit positioned them to reinvest their capital and expertise through UAE-based Disrupt.com.
Since its inception, Disrupt.com has already deployed over $40 million into its portfolio, supporting a mix of startups that they have built from scratch, co-built with external founders, and invested in as strategic backers.
Driving the Future of AI and Emerging Technologies
The $100 million commitment announced by Disrupt.com will focus on five key areas: artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, Web3.0, automotive technology, and retail innovation. By targeting pre-seed to Series A stage startups with strong organic growth potential and clear paths to profitability, the venture builder aims to create sustainable businesses that will shape the future of industries worldwide.
“Now is the time to be doubling down to help build the next wave of startups that will shape the future of the world as we know it,” said founding partner Aaqib Gadit. “With Web 3.0 in its infancy and AI storming into our lives, the opportunity to problem solve and create businesses that will fit the needs of how people live and work is up for the taking.”
“This is an inflection point for innovation,” added founding partner Uzair Gadit. “The next big wins will not only come from the US or China. We believe that MENA and Pakistan have a key role to play in this transformation.”
The firm’s impressive portfolio already includes ZigChain, a Web3.0 platform with 500,000+ users and hundreds of millions in managed assets, and PureSquare, a cybersecurity venture. It has also made strategic investments in AI-focused startups such as Agentnoon, an organizational transformation platform, and Ahya, a climate action scaling tool.
Pakistan’s Role in the Global Tech Ecosystem
Despite shifting its headquarters to the UAE, Disrupt.com continues to draw talent from Pakistan, recognizing the country’s rich pool of technical and entrepreneurial expertise. The founders remain deeply connected to their roots, ensuring that Pakistani professionals play a significant role in the company’s success. With a dedicated team of over 650 professionals globally, many of whom are based in Pakistan, the firm is a shining example of how local talent can make an impact on the world stage.
As Disrupt.com embarks on its next chapter with this $100 million investment, it reinforces a powerful message: Pakistani entrepreneurs are building the future of technology, not just for their country but for the world.
