Khurram Zafar
Director at 47 Ventures Ltd.
Khurram Zafar
Director at 47 Ventures Ltd.
Lahore District, Punjab
Overview
Work Experience
Director
2017 - Current
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
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.
Education
Bachelor of Engineering
1993 - 1996
HSC A'Levels
1980 - 1992