As part of the NIC Karachi Curriculum under the Women Led Track, an in depth and focused session titled Breaking the Bias, Owning the Ask was held on January 28, 2026, addressing one of the most critical challenges faced by women founders in the startup ecosystem, fundraising. The session brought together women entrepreneurs enrolled in the NIC Karachi program for an open and practical discussion around accessing capital, building confidence, and navigating the realities of investor engagement. Designed to support women led startups at various stages of growth, the session emphasized preparation, clarity, and intention as essential elements of successful fundraising.
The session was led by Sidra Shakeel, Co Founder at Fortify, who shared her experience and insights into the fundraising journey for women entrepreneurs. Drawing from real world interactions with investors and the broader funding ecosystem, the discussion explored how women founders can better understand the funding landscape while addressing biases that often influence investment decisions. The session examined common challenges faced during fundraising conversations and highlighted strategies to navigate these dynamics without compromising authenticity or vision. Participants were guided on how to articulate their value proposition clearly and position their businesses effectively in front of potential investors.
A significant focus of the session was on building strong and compelling fundraising narratives. Founders were encouraged to move beyond surface level storytelling and develop pitches that are grounded in data, traction, and a clear growth strategy. Sidra Shakeel emphasized the importance of aligning the narrative with business fundamentals, ensuring that founders are prepared to answer detailed questions around scalability, revenue models, and market opportunity. The conversation also covered investment readiness and what investors typically expect when evaluating women led startups, helping participants gain a clearer picture of how decisions are made within funding processes.
To translate insights into action, founders worked through a series of practical tools designed to strengthen fundraising preparedness. These included pitch frameworks tailored to different investor audiences, fundraising one pagers that clearly communicate business metrics and vision, and readiness checklists covering traction, key performance indicators, and data room essentials. The hands on approach allowed participants to assess gaps in their current fundraising materials and gain clarity on what needs to be refined before engaging investors. By focusing on practical execution, the session aimed to equip founders with both confidence and structure as they prepare to raise capital.
Open conversations throughout the session created space for honest dialogue around challenges, fears, and expectations related to fundraising as a woman founder. Participants shared experiences and reflected on the importance of owning the ask rather than downplaying ambition or growth potential. The session reinforced that fundraising is not only about securing capital but also about building aligned partnerships based on preparation, purpose, and long term vision. By encouraging women founders to approach fundraising with confidence and clarity, the session contributed to strengthening their ability to advocate for their businesses effectively.
The session formed part of NIC Karachi’s broader commitment to supporting women led startups through targeted programming, mentorship, and capacity building. Through initiatives such as the Women Led Track, NIC Karachi continues to create spaces where founders can access relevant knowledge and develop skills needed to compete in the investment landscape. Applications are currently open for NIC Karachi Cohort 15, and interested founders can apply through this link to be considered for the upcoming cohort.
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