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Discover the Lahore Tech Scene With Usama Ashraf

The discover global tech communities series is a new feature highlighting some of the startup and tech communities that we are connected with through our global network of software engineers. We have the pleasure of working with developers from over 44 countries and we are happy to shine the light on these talented folks and the tech scenes in cities that they live in.

As an independent software developer, it’s your responsibility to position yourself amid innovation. The world has opened up and the business landscape has shifted to provide global opportunities. Expanding global perspective is an effective way to work with top talent and learn from leading tech communities.

Lahore is one of Pakistan’s most socially liberal and progressive cities and has experienced rapid growth in the information technology industry. We caught up with Usama Ashraf, a Mission member based in the cosmopolitan city, and he revealed key insights about the tech scene in Lahore.

Meet Usama, a Mission member in Lahore, Pakistan

Who better to offer insight into Lahore’s tech scene than Usama, who started his studies in the vibrant city in 2011. Usama graduated with a Bachelor in Computer Science from the University of Lahore in 2014.

Ready to tackle the tech world, Usama discovered Ruby on Rails and recognized its potential for growth in the development industry. Putting his money where his mouth is, Usama signed up for a 3-month internship to learn the web-application framework.

Surviving the independent worker culture of Pakistan

While the four-day workweek is picking up speed around the world, the work culture in Pakistan is strikingly different, especially within small and medium-size software companies.

New hires in Pakistan are expected to work 12 hours a day, almost every day of the week. The office is occupied the whole weekend, with many workers operating through the night, taking a nap at the office when needed.

The difficult routine is not for the faint-hearted, yet Usama believes that it helps to kickstart your career and knowledge acquisition from the beginning. By learning so many skills, in such a short amount of time, new hires are given the “experience” that so many larger companies demand from their consultants and employees.

Usama moves from employee to independent software developer

After the gruelling introduction to the tech world, Usama was offered full-time employment at the company, but after a few years decided to move to Islamabad and for another job, with a better salary.

In 2017, Usama moved back to Lahore and made the leap and became an independent software engineer, and he hasn’t looked back since. To smooth the transition, he worked a full-time job at the same time, which meant that he spent up to 18 hours a day at his computer. Eventually, he made the move permanent.

Usama admits that he loves working long hours and becomes absorbed when working on interesting projects. Even with these long hours, Usama has embraced the geographical freedom of working independently, and he has chosen to settle in Lahore. From here, he also manages the South Asian region for Mission.

The Local Tech Community in Lahore

So, why did Usama decide to settle in Lahore?

Lahore is renowned for having a big tech community and is the chosen home for many major companies, as well as several start-ups. McKinsey & Co has dubbed Pakistan as one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, with as many as 720 Pakistani startups launched since 2010.

Pakistani startups raised a whopping $65 million in 2020 alone, despite the pandemic putting strain on the global economy.

A closer look at the working arrangement reveals that 70% of people want a full-time job that offers security, while 30% are more interested in working as an independent software developer — like Usama.

Notable Tech Companies in Lahore

With 140 million people below the age of 30 and a choice of universities in Lahore, there is an abundance of fresh talent in the tech space. The available talent is a huge pull for noteworthy tech companies based in Pakistan, such as the following.

● Careem — a vehicle for hire company that was acquired by Uber for $3.1 billion

● VentureDive — custom software that drives innovation and social impact

● Airlift — a delivery service that secured a $12 million Series A from First Round Capital, a notable American VC firm

Local Developer Communities in Lahore

One of the best ways to upskill is to surround yourself with like-minded people who offer a fresh perspective to your projects. There is no shortage of developer communities and meet-ups in Lahore, providing a space to brush shoulders with fellow developers.

For example, Startup Grind Lahore boasts more than 1,000 group members. There are also multiple virtual events on the topics of social media, fundraising, analytics, pitching, and various coding languages.

Cafes, Co-working Spaces, and Tech Hubs in Lahore

In addition to organized communities, there are also more informal places to connect with fellow techies. Unlike other cities that are fertile for startups, Lahore doesn’t have an advanced culture of co-working spaces. In fact, there is even a stigma associated with working in co-working spaces as the companies are usually quite small.

However, the pandemic has sped up the acceptance of these spaces. Venues such as Tech Hub Connect provide a productive space for freelancers, professors, and industry professionals. Pasha is an extension of the tech hub with a particular focus on connecting academia and industry.

Other spaces to note include the following;

● PIPB — backed by the Pakistani government, PIPB provides a working space for startups

● The Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) — provides a compelling support system for entrepreneurs

● The Center for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) — an accelerator program aimed at rapidly fostering startup growth through mentoring, seed funding, investor access, and teaching students to anticipate and conquer problems

If you’re a foodie then you’re in for a treat in Lahore. Usama recommended two must try restaurants.

Monal, which has an incredible rooftop patio, and Cooco’s Den if you’re looking for something more traditional. His last word of advice, don’t just stick to restaurants, Lahore has an amazing street food scene that you absolutely must check out!

Unbeatable, New Talent in Lahore

Pakistan is a breeding ground for innovation and fresh talent, but not in the way that you’d expect from other tech hubs such as Silicon Valley, London, and Tel Aviv. Instead, the best talent is the newer talent.

Developers that are wet behind the ears are typically quick to learn. It’s not surprising to find a dev that has three years of experience in Lahore that can compete with a developer with five to six years of experience in other countries.

At Mission, we’re committed to changing the way that software gets built, helping top engineers around the world work together, to deliver great results. Join the Mission network today!

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