Pakistan US Tech Connect 2026 ended its four-city American roadshow in Chicago on October 24, with Pakistani technology firms pitching solutions in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, fintech and enterprise software to hundreds of US Midwest business leaders. The event signals a clear shift in how Pakistan wants to sell its tech sector to the world, moving from a low-cost outsourcing label to a full partner that can deliver advanced digital solutions.
What Was Pakistan US Tech Connect 2026?
Pakistan US Tech Connect 2026 was a four-city roadshow aimed at strengthening business partnerships, attracting investment, and expanding the country’s presence in the global technology market. The roadshow, led by the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), included stops in Silicon Valley on October 16, Dallas on October 19, Washington D.C. on October 21, and Chicago on October 23, 2026.
The event was co-hosted by the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington D.C., PSEB and OPEN Global, and brought together technology firms, policymakers, business leaders and companies from across the American Midwest.
The initiative reflects Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of strengthening economic ties with the United States by facilitating direct business-to-business engagement between Pakistani technology firms and senior decision-makers, including chief information officers, chief technology officers, and executives from Fortune 1000 companies.
Who Attended the Chicago Stop?
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, opened the conference in Chicago, highlighting the potential for stronger technology cooperation between the two countries and the opportunity to connect Pakistan’s growing tech capabilities with American business needs through sustained, mutually beneficial partnerships.
Illinois State Representative Justin Slaughter and State Senator Laura Murphy also addressed the conference. Daniel Bellefleur, Vice President for Foreign Direct Investment at the Illinois Economic Development Corporation, contributed the state’s economic development perspective. Their presence shows that local US government sees real value in what Pakistani firms bring to the table.
PSEB Chief Executive Officer Faisal Jeddy outlined Pakistan’s IT landscape and emerging business opportunities, highlighting its skilled workforce, competitive costs and capacity to deliver advanced technology solutions. Ignite CEO Bilal Abbasi discussed Pakistan’s startup ecosystem, while OPEN Global President Tariq Khan highlighted opportunities for collaboration between Pakistani and American businesses.
In closing remarks, Consul General Zaman Mehdi thanked the participants and partners, highlighting the cooperation among government, private enterprise and the Pakistani-American diaspora that made the conference possible.
Which Pakistani Companies Were There?
Led by PSEB, the initiative brought together 16 established Pakistani technology companies and two emerging startups to connect with American businesses and investors.
The participating companies included Systems Limited, 10Pearls, NETSOL Technologies, IBEX Global Solutions, Techlogix Pakistan, Arbisoft, Folio3 Software, CureMD Healthcare, Tkxel, Strategic Systems International, Emumba, Abacus, TMC, Nextbridge, Excellence Delivered and Addo AI.
Alongside them, two emerging startups, Swich and Heyeve.ai, represented Pakistan’s startup ecosystem. Swich is a fintech with a Web3 merchant financial operating system, while Heyeve.ai focuses on immersive, AI-powered legal training. It is encouraging to see early-stage startups sitting alongside large listed companies on the same stage in Chicago.
The delegation included companies specialising in artificial intelligence, enterprise software, cloud computing, financial technology, cybersecurity, healthcare technology, data engineering and customer experience management.
The Big Shift: From Outsourcing to Real Partnership
One thing most coverage of Pakistan US Tech Connect missed is how much the tone has changed this year. This was not about selling cheap code. A dedicated session on moving beyond outsourcing explored what US enterprise buyers and investors actually seek in Pakistani technology companies.
The ambassador noted that the 2026 Tech Conference series had adopted a more focused, business-oriented format, featuring approximately 13 to 14 established companies with proven international experience. The objective was to move beyond merely showcasing Pakistan’s tech sector to demonstrating its ability to deliver world-class solutions and forge commercially meaningful partnerships.
Panel discussions examined how Pakistani technology companies can build and scale enterprise partnerships across the United States, understand buying behaviour in the American middle market and develop effective market-entry strategies. Networking sessions enabled Midwest companies and the visiting delegation to discuss business needs, identify potential partners and explore follow-up engagements.
Pakistan’s IT Exports Hit a Record High
The Chicago conference came at a good time. Pakistan’s technology exports reached a record $4.6 billion in the fiscal year ended June 2026, up 21 percent from the previous year, according to Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja.
The increase was driven by strong performance in software development, business process outsourcing, the gaming industry and Software as a Service (SaaS). Pakistani technology companies also increased export earnings by expanding their access to Asia-Pacific markets, including Japan and Singapore.
PSEB CEO Faisal Jeddy told participants that Pakistan produces approximately 70,000 IT and computer science graduates annually, while IT exports had grown at an average annual rate of around 21 percent over the preceding four years, reaching approximately $435 million in September 2026 alone.
That monthly figure, $435 million, is one the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication will want to push higher, and events like this Chicago roadshow are a direct part of that strategy. For Pakistani developers, software houses and startups watching from home, a growing export number means more demand for local talent and better salaries.
You can also read about how Alibaba Cloud’s AI hackathon drew 16,000 Pakistani applicants, another sign of the country’s growing appetite for global tech exposure.
Why This Matters for Pakistan’s Tech Sector
The US is Pakistan’s biggest and most valuable technology export market, and the Midwest is often overlooked in favour of the coasts. By bringing the roadshow to Chicago, PSEB is testing whether mid-sized American companies, ones that are not as flooded with vendor pitches as firms in San Francisco or New York, are open to working with Pakistani partners.
A separate session explored how Pakistani firms could move beyond traditional outsourcing models and better understand the expectations of US enterprise buyers and investors. That conversation is exactly what the sector needs. Pakistan has the talent. The challenge is convincing buyers abroad that Pakistani firms can own problems, not just execute tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pakistan US Tech Connect 2026?
Pakistan US Tech Connect 2026 is a four-city roadshow led by PSEB that took Pakistani technology firms to Silicon Valley, Dallas, Washington D.C. and Chicago to meet US businesses, pitch solutions and sign commercial partnerships.
Which Pakistani companies took part in the Chicago conference?
Sixteen established firms including Systems Limited, 10Pearls, Arbisoft, Folio3 and NETSOL Technologies attended, along with two startups: Swich (a Web3 fintech) and Heyeve.ai (an AI legal training platform).
How big are Pakistan’s IT exports right now?
Pakistan’s IT exports hit a record $4.6 billion in the fiscal year ending June 2026, up 21 percent year on year. Monthly exports reached roughly $435 million by September 2026, according to PSEB.
Why was Chicago chosen for the final stop of Pakistan US Tech Connect?
Chicago gives Pakistani firms access to the US Midwest market, which has many mid-sized enterprises that are less saturated with vendor pitches than coastal cities. Illinois state officials also attended, showing local government interest in the partnership.
