Pakistan, July 22 -- As someone working closely with an investment firm focused on supporting startups, SMEs, and home-grown businesses in Pakistan, I've met countless entrepreneurs with incredible drive, creativity, and business acumen. Many of these businesses are thriving on the surface, with solid sales, loyal customers, and strong word of mouth. But when it comes to growth through external funding, whether it's grants, loans, or private investment, they hit a wall.

The reason? Poor or non-existent financial record-keeping.

Most of these businesses don't maintain even the most basic financial documentation: no receipts, no transaction history, no expense tracking. As a result, despite their success, they fail to meet the minimum req...