Standard Chartered Pakistan’s Women in Tech Accelerator (WiT), funded by the Standard Chartered Foundation, has announced the winners of its Cohort 7 following a graduation ceremony held in Karachi. The initiative, conducted in collaboration with Village Capital and INNOVentures Global, continues to champion women-led startups that drive innovation and social impact across Pakistan.
Out of an initial group of 30 participants, 10 outstanding startups were selected after completing a rigorous five-day business acceleration bootcamp. The selected ventures span multiple sectors including women empowerment, mental health, edtech, health and wellness, climate innovation, and circular fashion. Each of the top 10 startups received PKR 1 million in funding to validate and scale their business plans.
At the event, Rehan Shaikh, CEO and Head of Coverage at Standard Chartered Pakistan, emphasized the program’s role in fostering inclusive growth and entrepreneurial excellence. “The Women in Tech Accelerator Programme supports women entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship, structured guidance, and the tools they need to scale their businesses with confidence,” he said. “Together, we are fostering an ecosystem where women-led enterprises can make significant economic contributions across Pakistan. The programme remains a shining example of what can be achieved when women entrepreneurs are provided with not only a platform but also capital, confidence, and community support.”
This year’s top winner, Yumkins Foods, founded by Hira Mubeen, took home PKR 5 million. Yumkins is Pakistan’s first fresh, preservative-free baby food brand, offering nutrition solutions for infants and toddlers aged six months to five years. With the support of the Women in Tech program, the startup is scaling operations, expanding to Lahore and Islamabad, and exploring export opportunities to GCC markets.
The first runner-up, Atfaal, received PKR 3.5 million. Founded in 2020 by Erum Sheheryar, Atfaal is a social enterprise that connects women’s vocational training with employment opportunities. What began as a small setup with one machine and PKR 25,000 has now evolved into a thriving business generating PKR 4.3 million annually, producing over 5,000 garments, and empowering more than 40 women through sustainable livelihoods.
Ootein, founded by Maria Ameer, was named the second runner-up, receiving PKR 2 million. As Pakistan’s first certified allergen-free food brand, Ootein addresses a critical health need for the 14.7 million Pakistanis living with food allergies and intolerances. The venture was inspired by Maria’s personal journey as a celiac patient and her vision to make safe, nutritious, and affordable food accessible to all.
Through this latest cohort, the Women in Tech Accelerator continues to strengthen Pakistan’s startup ecosystem by empowering women-led ventures with funding, mentorship, and visibility. The program reflects Standard Chartered’s ongoing commitment to advancing gender inclusion, entrepreneurship, and sustainable innovation across the country’s digital economy.
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