EP 13: Mubariz ft. Junaid Iqbal | How to Identify and Unlock Your Unfair Advantage, Plan Your Career

In this episode, we dive into the mind of Junaid Iqbal — investor, operator, and one of the most influential voices shaping Pakistan’s startup and venture ecosystem. From navigating early career choices to building high-performing teams at Careem, Junaid shares hard-earned insights on hiring, leadership, and aligning careers with personal strengths. We explore Pakistan’s evolving business landscape, from export potential and climate financing to the urgent need for private equity reform. Junaid offers a candid look into his investment journey — from early-stage bets to the realities of Shark Tank — and explains what it really takes to build, back, and scale companies in a challenging yet high-potential market. Whether you're a founder, investor, policymaker, or just passionate about Pakistan’s economic future, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and bold ideas. We also speak about his latest venture, Caravan Media, and ‪@PakistanAndCounting‬ . In this episode: Mubariz Siddiqui – Founder, Carbon Law LinkedIn:   / mubarizsiddiqui   Website: https://linktr.ee/mubarizs Junaid Iqbal - Founder & CEO, Salt Ventures LinkedIn:   / jiqbalpk   Website: https://salt-ventures.com Chapters: 00:00:00 – Intro 00:02:03 – Finding Your Edge After Graduation 00:21:47 – How to Hire (and Be Hired) Like a Pro 00:26:58 – Winning the Mid-Career Game 00:39:24 – From Pakistan to Dubai: Scaling Beyond Borders 00:47:36 – VC in Pakistan: Hard Truths & Big Bets 00:58:51 – Fixing the Funding Gap: The Case for PE 01:11:48 – Shark Tank, Off-Camera: What It Really Takes 01:27:19 – Investing in Pakistan’s Future 01:43:27 – Changing the Narrative with Caravan Media 01:58:02 – Inside Careem: Culture, Lessons, and Legacy