Key Takeaways
- Standard Chartered Foundation awarded Rs10.5m to three women-led startups.
- The winners received grants of Rs5m, Rs3m, and Rs2.5m respectively.
- The Women in Tech Accelerator supports innovative, technology-enabled businesses.
Standard Chartered Foundation, in collaboration with INNOVentures Global and Village Capital, has concluded the eighth cohort of the Women in Tech Accelerator for Pakistan, awarding a total of Rs10.5m in grants to three women-led startups.
The first prize of Rs5m was awarded to EV Square, founded by Aimen Shafique, the second prize of Rs3m went to Blusha App, founded by Minahil Zafar, and the third prize of Rs2.5m was given to Zvolta, founded by Anusha Shahid.
The Accelerator program, which started with 30 founders, provided an intense 6-day bootcamp followed by three months of tailored investment-readiness support, expert mentorship, and opportunities to strengthen business models, competitive advantage, scalability, and funding strategies.
The British Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi, Alison Blackburne, praised the initiative, stating that Pakistan’s women entrepreneurs are turning bold ideas into businesses that create jobs and improve lives. She commended the Standard Chartered Foundation and its partners for supporting women’s ambitions.
Adil Salahuddin, CEO & Head of Coverage, Standard Chartered Pakistan, highlighted the program’s impact, saying, 'Over the past several months, you have demonstrated tremendous commitment to building solutions that create meaningful impact.'
The judging panel, comprising Ghias Khan, Saad Amanullah, Musharaf Hai, and Sara Khurram, evaluated the ventures, ensuring a rigorous selection process.
The Women in Tech accelerator supports women entrepreneurs building innovative, technology-enabled businesses that address market and community needs. Participants receive tailored investment-readiness support, catalytic grant funding, and expert mentorship.
Since its launch, the program has supported more than 200 women-led start-ups in Pakistan and awarded over USD425,000 in grant funding.
The initiative aims to help entrepreneurs scale sustainably, create employment opportunities, and contribute to Pakistan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Pakistan’s women entrepreneurs are turning bold ideas into businesses that create jobs and improve lives.
Alison Blackburne, British Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi
We are proud to have supported these founders as they scale their ventures, create employment opportunities, and contribute to Pakistan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Adil Salahuddin, CEO & Head of Coverage, Standard Chartered Pakistan
