Pathfinder Group Hosts “Pathfinder CITADEL Start-Up” at World Economic Forum

Davos, Switzerland | January 22, 2026 : The Pathfinder Group hosted the “Pathfinder CITADEL Start-Up” at the Pakistan Pavilion during the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting, Davos 2026, on Thursday, January
22, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the Morosani Posthotel. The event brought together participants, including entrepreneurs, technology professionals, policymakers, and innovation ecosystem leaders.
The session was hosted by Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Asad Ikram, President CITADEL, and was graced by Khalifa AlShamsi, Chief Executive Officer, e& life, as the Chief Guest, highlighting the role of innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship in Pakistan’s growth. The event featured key contributions from Air Commodore (Retd) Khalid Banuri, Principal Advisor CITADEL; Air Commodore (Retd) Farhan Ahmed, Project Director CITADEL; and Imran Jattala, Vice President CITADEL, who shared insights on building a strong startup ecosystem, deep-tech
innovation, and entrepreneurship development.
For more than two decades, Pathfinder Group has played a central role at Davos by convening Pakistan-focused dialogues through the Pakistan Pavilion, fostering innovation, collaboration, and engagement with global leaders. The Pathfinder CITADEL Start-Up provided a high-level platform for dialogue on innovation, aerospace, emerging technologies, and incubation strategies, showcasing Pakistan’s potential as a hub for technology-led entrepreneurship and startup growth. The session formed a key part of Pathfinder Group’s WEF Davos 2026
engagement, reinforcing Pakistan’s participation in global conversations on technology, innovation, and startup development.
Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Asad Ikram emphasized CITADEL’s mission to bridge academia, industry, and innovation, enabling Pakistan’s youth and startups to compete globally in emerging technology sectors. Khalifa AlShamsi highlighted the role of scalable innovation, digital transformation, and international collaboration in driving sustainable economic growth.
Air Commodore (Retd) Khalid Banuri spoke on strengthening Pakistan’s start-up ecosystem through strategic policy alignment, incubation support, and a focus on deep-tech innovation. Air Commodore (Retd) Farhan Ahmad shared insights on incubation models, capacity building, and creating investor-ready start-ups with global market access. Imran Jattala highlighted entrepreneurship development, innovation-led growth, and the importance of structured platforms in nurturing high-potential start-ups. Salman Ali presented the business plan of VRG’s new product, “My Medi Court,” outlining its innovation value, market relevance, and growth potential within the digital healthcare ecosystem.
During the session, eight start-ups presented their business models and pitched their ideas to investors, showcasing innovative solutions and reflecting the depth of entrepreneurial talent emerging from Pakistan. The Pathfinder CITADEL Start-Up served as a high-level platform connecting start-ups with global stakeholders, investors, and industry leaders, reinforcing Pakistan’s position as an emerging hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology-led growth at WEF Davos 2026.
Concluding the session with a vote of thanks, Ikram Sehgal, Co-Chairman, Pathfinder Group, acknowledged the speakers, start-ups, and participants. He reaffirmed Pathfinder Group’s commitment to advancing innovation-led growth and supporting Pakistan’s start-up ecosystem through initiatives such as CITADEL.