Pakistani startups featured in Forbes Asia’s 100 to Watch list 2025

Pakistani Fintech Triumph Haball & PostEx on Forbes Asia 100 To Watch List

Pakistani Fintechs Haball & PostEx on Forbes Asia 100 To Watch 2025

In a momentous stride for Pakistan’s startup ecosystem, two Karachi-based fintech companies have earned a coveted spot on the Forbes Asia 100 To Watch 2025 list, a recognition reserved for the most innovative and high-potential emerging businesses across the Asia-Pacific region. This milestone not only celebrates the startups’ achievements but also signals global confidence in Pakistan’s burgeoning fintech landscape.

In this article, you’ll discover who Haball and PostEx are, what their inclusion means for the country’s tech scene, and what lessons other entrepreneurs can take from this success.

Understanding the Basics of Forbes Asia 100 To Watch

The Forbes Asia 100 To Watch list, in its fifth year, spotlights promising startups and small companies in the Asia-Pacific region that demonstrate innovation, sustainability, market potential, and impact. The 2025 list features startups across diverse sectors from AI-driven platforms and healthcare wearables to social-impact ventures and collectively these companies have raised nearly USD 3 billion in funding, up from USD 2 billion in the previous year  

Why It Matters That Haball and PostEx Made the List

Highlights of their Achievement

  • National pride: The inclusion of these companies shines a spotlight on Pakistan’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.
  • Validation for fintech innovation: It shows that Pakistani fintech solutions can compete and excel on regional and global stages.
  • Encouraging investor interest: Recognition by Forbes can lead to heightened investor visibility and potential capital inflow.
  • Ecosystem boost: This milestone may inspire other startups and signal a healthy environment for scaling and innovation. 

Haball and PostEx Spotlight on the Startups: 

1. Haball

  • Founded in 2017, headquartered in Karachi, and backed by Zayn VC.
  • Specializes in Shariah-compliant B2B fintech solutions, including digital invoicing, tax compliance, and working capital financing.
  • Has processed over USD 3 billion in payments.
  • Recently raised USD 52 million — USD 5M in equity and USD 47M in strategic financing from Meezan Bank.

2. PostEx

  • Established in 2020, based in Karachi, also backed by Zayn VC.
  • A hybrid logistics + fintech company designed for Pakistan’s e-commerce sector.
  • Offers upfront cash-on-delivery payments to merchants, improving liquidity.
  • Acquired Call Courier in 2022, becoming Pakistan’s largest e-commerce delivery service.
  • Recently raised USD 7.3 million in a pre-Series A round to support expansion into the Middle East.

What Makes This Significant for Startups & Investors

  • Proof of scalability: Both companies have grown rapidly and demonstrated real-world traction.
  • Emerging models in fintech: Haball’s Shariah-compliant model and PostEx’s cash flow innovation highlight adaptive solutions.
  • Gateway to global investors: Being on Forbes’s radar may unlock broader funding and partnership opportunities.
  • Blueprint for growth: Their journeys offer valuable lessons in market-based innovation, strategic funding, and execution.

Conclusion

Haball and PostEx’s inclusion in the Forbes Asia 100 To Watch 2025 list is a powerful testament to Pakistan’s rising fintech prowess and the strength of its startup ecosystem. It not only celebrates their achievements but paves the way for more local innovators to aim high and compete internationally. Are you building a high-impact startup or shaping the future of innovation in Pakistan? Learn from Haball and PostEx then aim even higher. Share your startup story or vision with us!

FAQ

Q1. What qualifies a company for the Forbes Asia 100 To Watch list?

 Eligible companies must be privately held, headquartered in the Asia-Pacific region, founded before August 2024, and have annual revenue under USD 50 million or total funding under USD 100 million 

Q2. How many Pakistani startups made the list?

 Two Haball and PostEx both based in Karachi and backed by Zayn VC

Q3. What sectors do they represent?

 Both operate in fintech, with Haball in B2B financial services and PostEx in logistics-fintech integration tailored to e-commerce needs