The VC parallels for China and Pakistan
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The VC parallels for China and Pakistan

Madison Franz

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The VC parallels for China and Pakistan
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For all the doom and gloom being spelt out regarding the future of venture capital, especially with regards to its suitability for Pakistan, the country has shown a fair bit of resilience amid a global downturn. New (and old) investors continue to back Pakistani entrepreneurs, with Peter Thiel — the founder of PayPal and Palantir Technologies — becoming the latest high-profile addition.

Overall investments into the startup ecosystem of $325 million year-to-date are still on track to at least match the 2021 total of $366m, according to Data Darbar, even if that’s on the back of deals closed earlier. Sure, the rounds might further slow down as many foreign investors reassess their allocation to both the venture capital (VC) asset class and Pakistan. But that’s not the case with William Bao Bean, the General Partner of SOSV, the fourth most active VC firm globally in Q2 as per Pitchbook, with assets under management of $1.2 billion.

In a little over two years, the fund has invested in 16 Pakistani companies. Unlike many international investors who entered the local market out of fear of missing out in 2021, Mr Bean and his fund seem to have the country as part of the broader strategy.

“We are doing Pakistan for Pakistan,” says Mr Bean in answer to whether the shaky macro risks have changed how he views the market. As someone who covered the Chinese telecom, media and technology sectors for Deutsche Bank in the 2000s, he sees many parallels between China then and Pakistan today. “When I started covering China internet in 2003, the total valuations of all the startups was $3bn. My goal was to help Jack Ma explain Alibaba, the business-to-business (B2B) marketplace, to global investors for its initial public offering. Since then, the sector’s market cap has risen to $2.5 trillion. Pakistan today is $3bn, so I am hoping for something similar,” he adds.

In 2003, the total valuation of all the startups in China was $3bn, but since then, the sector’s market cap has risen to $2.5tr — Pakistan today is at $3bn, so there is hope for a similar path

“I want to do the same thing here as I did in China: explain, to my best, the local market to people from around the world. My biggest goal here is not just to help startups get off the ground and grow but also to make sure that the global investors can understand and be comfortable writing cheques here,” Mr Bean explains.

For now, the fund is primarily looking at early-stage startups trying to solve the ‘big problems’, which essentially share one characteristic: those solving the ‘big problems’ like digitising kiryana, logistics, and insurance, among others.

Initially, the terms of the deal are pretty standard: take 5-7 per cent of common equity and invest $150,000 though the valuation can differ. Of that, $45,000 is the programme cost that the portfolio companies undergo — in the case of Pakistan, the erstwhile MOX and Chinaccelerator were recently merged into one and rebranded as Orbit Startups.

Mr Bean feels beyond the money invested, these programmes are what set SOSV apart. “Our value addition is enterprise sales and customer acquisition, and all the startups get free advertising along with a strong corporate network,” he says. The fund makes follow-on investments, though its pockets are a little tight there. “We have a follow-on fund for $20m+ Series B and onwards, which doesn’t conflict with the core fund [$277m]. We try and maintain as close to our pro rata as possible, but last year, our companies in Orbit closed $286m in follow-on funding. Meanwhile, our whole budget for follow-on in a year is $3.5m, and the pro rata on that is $15m,” says the investor.

The 16-company portfolio of Orbit in Pakistan has cumulatively raised more than $53m since the commencement of their operations, of which the five that have gone for subsequent rounds did receive follow-on funding from SOSV. Of course, the numbers are skewed by Dastgyr’s $37m — the only startup in the portfolio to have raised Series A investment while the remaining fifteen are still pre-seed or seed.

The fund has already been exposed to logistics and e-commerce (B2B kiryana and direct-to-consumer brands like HighStreet and PriceOye) and is now looking at missing sectors. “We are looking at agri, health, edtech — any company that has a high customer acquisition problem but the business makes money and can benefit from our free advertising and distribution,” says Mr Bean.

The author is the co-founder of Data Darbar, a private market portal

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, September 5th, 2022

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How to buy a villa in Northern Cyprus?

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Owning a home in Northern Cyprus is the dream and goal of many citizens from other countries. Indeed, own housing is the main and first condition for applicants for a Northern Cypriot residence permit. Your own personal property in Cyprus – it is a great opportunity to spend time at the resort, relax, and also to make money on investments.

 

Real estate in Northern Cyprus for living and investment

The local business environment and the state of the rental market provide excellent investment opportunities for third-country nationals. Professional investors have already rushed to buy apartments in Northern Cyprus to receive a stable passive income. Some families choose to move completely to Cyprus – the country is well known for its loyal taxation and safety. It is a place with an incredibly comfortable climate – low humidity, mild temperature all year round, warm sea, fresh fruit and more. Few people know, but Cyprus is notable for quality education, so if you are thinking about moving, this is a great opportunity for your children to get a quality education in one of the local prestigious universities.

You need expert support in buying property in North Cyprus for the following reasons:

knowledge of the real estate market allows you to select promising properties;

experts have business connections for obtaining an installment plan from the developer;

support of the purchase and sale transaction protects you from the risks of fraud;

correct preparation of documents is the key to a successful acquisition;

representation of your interests in the immigration service is the best option for foreigners.

It should not be forgotten that property in Northern Cyprus cannot be purchased in certain locations that are related to cultural and historical heritage. As in other countries, there are some restrictions that must be taken into account in the selection of real estate.

Expert assistance from Prime Pro Investment

Representing your interests when buying real estate in northern Cyprus guarantees you the absolute purity of the transaction and the opportunity to move the whole family to a paradise on earth. Moreover, Prime Pro Investment experts know how to properly prepare documents that must be translated into Turkish or English, and also certified by a notary. With comprehensive support, you can not only buy a house in Cyprus, but also get a residence permit.

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The Business Benefits of Energy Efficiency: How to Unlock Cost Savings and Drive Growth

Abbax khan

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In today’s world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to improve their bottom line, increase their profitability, and drive growth. Energy efficiency is one of the most effective strategies for achieving these goals. Not only does it help companies save money on their energy bills, but it also offers a range of other benefits, from reducing carbon emissions to enhancing brand reputation. In this article, we’ll explore the business benefits of energy efficiency and provide actionable tips for unlocking cost savings and driving growth. Whether you’re a small business owner or a corporate executive, this guide will help you understand why energy efficiency matters and how you can leverage it to boost your bottom line. So, let’s dive in and discover the power of energy efficiency for your business!

 

The Business Case for Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is a smart business decision that can help you save money, reduce your carbon footprint, and increase your competitiveness. The first step in unlocking the benefits of energy efficiency is to understand the business case for it. Put simply, energy efficiency means using less energy to achieve the same results. This can be achieved through a range of measures, from upgrading to more energy-efficient equipment to implementing better controls and monitoring systems. By reducing your energy consumption, you can lower your energy bills and improve your bottom line. But the benefits don’t stop there.

 

Cost Savings from Energy Efficiency

One of the most significant benefits of energy efficiency is cost savings. By reducing your energy consumption, you can lower your energy bills and improve your bottom line. There is a range of measures you can take to achieve these cost savings, from upgrading to more energy-efficient equipment to implementing better controls and monitoring systems.

For example, upgrading to energy-efficient lighting can save you up to 75% on your lighting energy costs. Similarly, upgrading to more energy-efficient HVAC systems can save you up to 30% on your heating and cooling costs. By implementing these measures, you can achieve significant cost savings over the long term.

But the benefits of energy efficiency don’t stop with cost savings. By reducing your energy consumption, you can also reduce your carbon footprint and enhance your brand reputation. This can help you attract and retain customers, generate more revenue, and drive growth over the long term.

 

Increased Revenue from Energy Efficiency

In addition to cost savings, energy efficiency can also help you increase your revenue. By reducing your energy consumption, you can free up resources to invest in other areas of your business, such as marketing, research and development, or expansion. This can help you generate more revenue and drive growth over the long term.

For example, if you invest in energy-efficient equipment, you can lower your energy bills and use the savings to invest in new products or services. Similarly, if you implement energy-efficient measures in your operations, you can reduce your operating costs and use the savings to invest in new marketing campaigns or customer acquisition strategies. By taking these steps, you can increase your revenue and drive growth over the long term.

 

Examples of Successful Energy Efficiency Initiatives

https://www.beeanglia.org/ is an organization that helps businesses and individuals reduce their carbon footprint and save money through energy efficiency. The organization has helped a range of businesses achieve significant cost savings and other benefits through energy-efficient measures. Here are a few examples of successful energy efficiency initiatives by Beeanglia.org:

  • One small business in the food industry was able to reduce its energy bills by 40% by implementing energy-efficient lighting, HVAC systems, and kitchen equipment.
  • A large office building was able to reduce its energy consumption by 25% by implementing better controls and monitoring systems for lighting, HVAC, and other equipment.
  • A manufacturing company was able to reduce its energy consumption by 20% by upgrading to more energy-efficient equipment and implementing better controls and monitoring systems.

These examples demonstrate the significant cost savings and other benefits that can be achieved through energy efficiency. By implementing energy-efficient measures, businesses can reduce their energy consumption, lower their energy bills, and enhance their brand reputation.

 

Conclusion and Next Steps

In conclusion, energy efficiency is a smart business decision that can help you save money, reduce your carbon footprint, and increase your competitiveness. By implementing energy-efficient measures, you can achieve significant cost savings, increase your revenue, and enhance your brand reputation.

 

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5 Reasons to Choose Holborn in London as Your Business’s Home Base

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Business owners who want to base their business in a central location that is full of personality should choose Holborn. This district, once branded as Midtown, is situated between the West End and the City. It boasts beautiful old buildings, atmospheric pubs, and great dining spots for business meetings, and it is also home to a few corporate giants. Here are 5 reasons to choose Holborn in London to base your company.

1.    Beautiful Office Space

Holborn is filled with stunning architecture and gothic buildings, which means that business owners can choose from an array of unique office spaces to call their homes. The Workplace Company is a great place to start if you are looking for an eye-catching office space to rent in Holborn London. Not only are some of the office buildings in Midtown inspiring, but they are also more affordable than their more central counterparts. Thanks to the rise in the cost of office spaces in the West End, Holborn’s workspaces are generally more competitively priced. You can choose from different types of workspaces in Holborn, including serviced spaces and leasehold offices.

2.    Convenient Transport links

Midtown has many convenient transport links, including Holborn, Farringdon, Blackfriars, and Chancery Lane. Stratford International can be reached in around 30 minutes, while St Pancras International is actually located in Midtown. If you’re heading out of the country, it is possible to reach Heathrow airport and Gatwick airport in just one hour. Of course, congestion can delay your journey, so always bear this in mind, but on good days, you can be safe in the knowledge that you will get to where you need to be.

3.    Rub Shoulders with Industry Giants

Many corporate giants have chosen a Holborn address to base their headquarters. You can find large corporations, such as Amazon, Unilever, and Deloitte in the local area. You can even find the European headquarters of Warner Bros, Warner House, situated in Midtown. Being around successful companies such as these can be incredibly motivating and boost productivity and ambition within your own company.

4.    Impress Clients

Although there are many fine dining establishments nearby in the City of London and the West End, you can wine and dine clients at excellent eateries in Midtown itself. Holborn Dining Room offers British fare on High Holborn, while Scarfes Bar is a trendy place to socialise after work. They offer a wide selection of tipples, and you can even enjoy some live music on most nights. Besides business lunches and meetings with clients, being in close proximity to good restaurants and watering holes is great for employees.

 

5.    Healthy Living

Not only are the many local food and drink places great for your team, but the plethora of health centres and gyms are also a major draw for employees. Mainstream brands, such as Gymbox, Virgin Active, and PureGym, as well as independent gyms, are easily accessible from Holborn. Having facilities such as these nearby will encourage your employees to stay healthy. Regular exercise is great for all-around health and well being. The body becomes stronger and fitter, and staying active can reduce stress levels too.

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