KZ

Khurram Zafar

Executive Leader with Strategy, Technology & Investment Management Experience in US, Europe and South Asia

Lahore District, Punjab

Invests in

Locations:

  • Min Investment:

    $150,000.00
  • Max Investment:

    $2,000,000.00
  • Target Investment:

    $500,000.00

Work Experience

  • Director

    2017

    First international venture capital fund exclusively focused on Pakistan's high growth technology industry providing seed stage through series A stage equity financing.

  • Member Board of Directors

    2015

    Board Director and Member of the Digital Financial Services Advisory Committee of Karandaaz Pakistan, a private company primarily funded by DFID/UKAid and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to promote access to capital for small businesses through a commercially directed investment platform, as well as to enhance financial inclusion for individuals by employing technology enabled digital solutions.

  • Member

    2019 - 2022

    One of the 11 private sector members of the task force chaired by Prime Minister of Pakistan on promoting technology driven knowledge economy in the country. Primary responsibilities include providing input for policy making in the space, conceiving and designing national level projects to promote knowledge economy and liaise with the Planning Department, Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Information Technology. Public sector members include 5 federal ministers/advisers and 5 federal secretaries.

  • Adjunct Faculty, Suleman Dawood School of Business

    2019 - 2020

    Teaching Venture Creation and Entrepreneurship to Executive MBA students at LUMS business school.

  • Director, National Incubation Center, Lahore

    2017 - 2019

    Founded National Incubation Center at LUMS funded by Ministry of IT&T and Ignite Technology Fund after winning a nationally competitive grant of over PKR 650 Million and achieving the highest technical score and lowest financial bid among 30+ national consortium representing over 130 companies and universities. Secured nearly PKR 1.3 Billion in funding for LUMS for various programs including building a National Incubation Center in Quetta, Baluchistan. Currently providing consulting support to transition management to the new team and mentor startups with fund raising, financial management and investment related matters.

  • Executive Director, LUMS Center for Entrepreneurship

    2014 - 2017

    Founded the Center for Entrepreneurship at LUMS, Pakistan's leading university, to scout, mentor and groom high-growth and high-impact entrepreneurs on a comprehensive, experiential development platform, supported by leading entrepreneurs, researchers and industry leaders. The center facilitates access to investment/venture capital, marketing resources, business services and corporate leaders to fast-track startup development. Led the team to secure over PKR 650 Million in funding to create National Incubation Center, Lahore through a nationally competitive grant process.

  • Visiting Faculty - Graduate School of Computer Science

    2013 - 2014

    Teach entrepreneurship to graduate level computer science students at ITU

2012 - 2014

  • Senior Policy Adviser

    2012 - 2014

    ► Provincial Disaster Management Authority Strategic consulting and advisory services to the Authority and Director General pertaining to adoption of ICT and implementation of key projects in collaboration with various international donor agencies. Some of the responsibilities included: • Oversight of design, development and deployment of a GIS based, animated, predictive flood modeling and simulation system for the Authority • Design, development and deployment consultation for several open source platform based data and information management systems • Guidance for crafting a social media based communication and public outreach program • Advice on sourcing, designing and developing an ICT and networking infrastructure at the Authority • Advice on sourcing, vetting and hiring ICT personnel ► Punjab Information Technology Board Member Board of Advisers for Plan9, Pakistan's largest full service technology business incubator

  • CIO

    2010 - 2013

    Took over the technology services division of one of Pakistan's premiere stock exchanges and re-built the organization which was left thin due to high attrition triggered by earlier market crisis. Conceived and successfully delivered numerous internal, regulatory and market development related projects on fire-fighting timelines, contributing to Exchange's profitability and growth. Developed the concept and business plan for an electronically integrated, nation-wide marketplace for spot trading of agricultural commodities. Pitched the project to leading investors to secure funding commitments before leaving the Exchange.

  • Visiting Faculty Member - Management & Business Computing

    2009 - 2012

    Supervise BSc Honors management and business computing final year projects with an aim to inculcate the spirit of entrepreneurship in my students.

  • Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer

    2006 - 2008

    Co-founded and managed global technology operations of Insight, a spin-off from Epiance after its sale. Insight developed software for improving productivity of human executed, IT enabled business processes in large enterprises. Moved and managed all product development in Pakistan.