Pakistani technology companies pitched their services to businesses in the American Midwest at the Pakistan-US Tech Connect 2026 conference in Chicago, an event organisers said brought together nearly 400 business leaders, entrepreneurs and government officials.
What happened?
According to the Press Information Department, the conference aimed to build commercial ties between Pakistani technology providers and American enterprises, moving beyond basic outsourcing toward longer-term partnerships. Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, told attendees that Pakistan’s young, educated workforce offered value for American firms facing rising domestic labour costs.
Key details
Nine firms showcased services at the Chicago conference: Strategic Systems International, 10Pearls, Abacus, Systems Limited, Nextbridge, Addo AI, Excellence Delivered, Folio3 and TMC. The conference was co-hosted by the Embassy of Pakistan, the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) and OPEN Global. PSEB chief executive Faisal Jeddy and Ignite chief executive Bilal Abbasi spoke about Pakistan’s technology sector and startup ecosystem, while OPEN Global president Tariq Khan described collaboration frameworks for American investors. Illinois State Representative Justin Slaughter and State Senator Laura Murphy attended, along with officials from the Illinois Economic Development Corporation. Workshop sessions covered practical questions for Pakistani vendors, including American procurement processes, competing in the mid-market segment and moving from contract work to strategic partnerships. The Chicago stop was part of the wider Pak-US Tech Connect 2026 roadshow, which also included engagements in Silicon Valley, Dallas and Washington, D.C.
What it means for people in Pakistan
For Pakistani software firms and startups, events like this are about winning clients rather than headlines: a partnership with a mid-sized American company can mean steadier work, larger teams and more exports. No signed deals or investment figures were disclosed in the reports, so the real test will be whether the Chicago meetings turn into contracts and jobs back home. Young developers and graduates stand to benefit most if firms use new work to hire and train locally.
Source: https://pakistantv.com/article/pakistani-tech-firms-court-us-midwest-companies-in-chicago-conference
