Three Women-Led Pakistan Startups Win Rs10.5m in Accelerator Grants

KARACHI: Three women-led Pakistani startups have secured a combined Rs10.5 million in equity-free grants after completing the eighth cohort of the Women in Tech Accelerator for Pakistan, providing fresh funding and business support to technology-enabled ventures seeking to expand their operations.

The programme, run by Standard Chartered Foundation in partnership with INNOVentures Global and Village Capital, concluded with a graduation event in Karachi. EV Square, founded by Aimen Shafique, received the top grant of Rs5 million. Blusha App, founded by Minahil Zafar, was awarded Rs3 million, while Anusha Shahid's Zvolta received Rs2.5 million.

The winning founders will also receive six months of additional financial oversight and business support, along with continuing access to the programme's alumni network. The initiative is designed to help women entrepreneurs improve investment readiness, strengthen business models and develop strategies for sustainable growth.

The latest cohort began with 30 founders participating in an intensive six-day boot camp. Ten entrepreneurs then advanced to a three-month phase providing tailored mentorship, business advice, industry connections and support aimed at improving scalability, competitive positioning and funding strategies. The programme ultimately selected three ventures for grant awards.

British Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi Alison Blackburne welcomed the progress of Pakistani women entrepreneurs and highlighted their contribution to job creation and practical solutions for communities. She also praised initiatives that provide founders with access to financing, professional skills and networks needed to build and expand their companies.

Adil Salahuddin, chief executive and head of coverage at Standard Chartered Pakistan, said participating founders had demonstrated sustained commitment to developing businesses capable of creating meaningful impact. He said mentorship, advisory assistance, industry links and capacity-building opportunities were intended to help entrepreneurs strengthen their ventures as they move toward their next stage of growth.

The judging panel included Ghias Khan, an independent non-executive director and board member at Standard Chartered Pakistan; Saad Amanullah, a board member of FFC and president of PILAP; former Unilever Pakistan chief executive Musharaf Hai; and Sehat Kahani chief executive Sara Khurram. The participating ventures were assessed as part of the accelerator's staged funding process for high-potential businesses.

The accelerator forms part of a wider initiative supporting women who are building technology-enabled companies addressing commercial and community needs. More than 200 women-led startups in Pakistan have received mentorship through the programme since its launch, while grant funding awarded through the initiative has exceeded $425,000.

The latest awards add to efforts to increase women's participation in Pakistan's startup and technology sectors, where access to early-stage capital, experienced mentors and professional networks can determine whether young companies are able to scale. The three winning businesses are now expected to use their grants and follow-on support to develop their operations while remaining connected to the accelerator's broader entrepreneurial network.