Pakistani technology startup RLabs has earned international recognition after winning the GOAL Startup Award at the Silicon Valley November Summit in California. The company is led by Harris Ahmed, a graduate of the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), and received the award at the event held from November 2 to 5.
RLabs was among 18 international ventures selected to present their innovations under the Global Overseas Acceleration & Learning (GOAL) programme. Organised by innovation platform and venture capital firm Plug and Play, the summit brought together more than 3,000 participants, including entrepreneurs, investors, corporate executives, technology specialists and government representatives.
During the event, Harris Ahmed presented RLabs’ work in extended reality (XR) simulators, synthetic data and machine training. The summit also featured presentations and demonstrations from more than 300 startups across over 20 industry programmes, with artificial intelligence and deep technology among its key themes.
Ahmed, who graduated from NUST in 2018, said he had spent the past decade developing technology to train people to operate complex machinery through extended reality. He explained that RLabs was now using the same human expertise to develop machine training capabilities. The startup is also preparing to launch its technology in the United States.
According to the National Incubation Centre for Aerospace Technologies (NICAT), where RLabs was incubated, the company is developing a proprietary large language model to support a modular, cross-platform simulation engine. The technology is designed to reduce development time by up to 75 per cent.
The achievement received recognition from the federal government, with Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja describing the award as a proud moment for Pakistan. She said the international recognition demonstrated the potential of Pakistani entrepreneurs and the growing capabilities of the country’s startup ecosystem. The minister also acknowledged the role of her ministry and its technology innovation arm, Ignite, in supporting startups and helping entrepreneurs access international opportunities.
The award comes amid broader efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s technology and entrepreneurship sectors. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently inaugurated the Daanish IT Park, previously known as the National Technology Park, bringing together incubation centres, startups, innovation hubs, small and medium enterprises and industry representatives.
Meanwhile, the World Bank is expected to support the establishment and capitalisation of a $50 million Fund of Funds under the Pakistan Entrepreneurship and Private Investment Catalyst Project. The initiative aims to strengthen Pakistan’s venture capital and innovation ecosystem, with approval expected in early 2027.
RLabs’ achievement at the Silicon Valley summit highlights the international recognition received by a Pakistani-founded technology venture and draws attention to the role of local entrepreneurs, university graduates and innovation-support institutions in developing technology for global markets.
