Latest news with #KarachiSlush'D2025
Business Recorder
19-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Swedish firm Vopy to roll out payment service for Pakistani freelancers
Vopy, a portfolio company of Swedish investment firm Front Ventures, has secured a verbal order from a major digital bank in Pakistan to provide a freelance payment service. 'The order comes from one of the major digital banks that Vopy's management team visited in Pakistan, where the client wishes to launch the services as soon as possible,' read a press statement issued by Vopy on Monday. The company said its freelance payments service is for payments to freelance consultants, usually in the IT industry, in Pakistan who carry out assignments for companies in Europe and the UK. 'Our customer in Pakistan is keen to launch this service quickly,' says Sven Hattenhauer, CEO of Vopy AB. 'They have requested exclusive rights to the service, which we have agreed to, and this results in a higher remuneration for us. Our customer has received a cooperation agreement for freelance payments, which we expect to be signed shortly, after which we can start the service without delay. 'We are happy and honoured by this collaboration, we look forward to delivering an exciting service to a new target group, also with higher margins than our other offerings,' Hattenhauer added. 'Karachi Slush'D 2025': 'AI should be embedded in everyday operations' According to the press statement, the total volume of freelance payments to Pakistan amounts to approximately $4 billion per year. Vopy noted that its client in Pakistan already has extensive services for freelance consultants and is expanding rapidly, but cannot offer fast and affordable invoice payments. 'Vopy's solution means that every freelance consultant in Pakistan receives a personal European virtual IBAN account to which payments can be made in a simple way. 'Through this arrangement, the European sender avoids the hassle of sending money directly to Pakistan and can instead pay into the European IBAN account Vopy provides, which creates a simpler process for the sender, and the money reaches the freelance consultant faster.' The statement added that freelancers receive their payments to local Pakistani accounts within seconds after funds are received in the virtual IBAN account. 'The cost that the freelance consultant pays for the transfer is significantly lower than other available options. Thanks to this process, the freelance consultant increases his competitiveness by being able to offer his clients a very convenient payment option,' added the company.
Business Recorder
18-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
‘Karachi Slush'D 2025': ‘AI should be embedded in everyday operations'
KARACHI: Speakers at a tech event emphasized the importance of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into business, saying that AI should be embedded in everyday operations. The event, 'Karachi Slush'D 2025' was organized by Katalyst Labs at the auditorium of NASTP on Saturday. Jahan Ara, CEO of Katalyst Labs, said the organization is a Startup Accelerator and Innovation Hub committed to helping startups scale, developing future leaders, and enabling corporations to advance their innovation strategies. During a panel discussion titled The Next Frontier of AI, Daniyal Baig said that AI plays a vital role in improving products. He emphasized that AI is not the future it is the present and noted that the US has already integrated AI into its school systems. 'We have to shift the mindset that AI will lead to job losses,' he said. He added that businesses are now using 10 to 12 AI tools to market their products. Ahsan Mashkoor said, 'Just like you're fond of food, you should embed AI into your life.' He said that Pakistan holds a significant advantage and should capitalize on AI, calling it a potential game-changer. He also stressed the need to empower youth with AI tools. Jaya Rajwani, who moderated the panel, said the country's future lies in AI. This was followed by another panel discussion, Building a Brand that Stands Out, featuring graphic designers and moderated by Hira Fareed. Arslan Khatri said that understanding audiences is a key to building a successful brand. Kiran Ahmed underscored the importance of research and conceptualization in brand development. Fatin Nawaz remarked that identifying the target audience is crucial for building strong brands. Adnan Syed said brands exist in alignment with audience needs and should resonate with people's emotions. 'Brands are created deep inside the heart,' he added. Maira Siddiqui, CEO of Chiragh Education Technologies, delivered a talk on her journey in promoting education in native languages. Karachi Slush'D was a one-day event aimed at empowering the startup and entrepreneurial ecosystem. The conference brought together a vibrant community of founders, students, professionals, investors, and other key players, fostering collaboration and creativity to shape the future of innovation and economic growth in Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
