The Built By Her 5.0 Innovation Challenge Finale, held on October 2, 2024, celebrated the ingenuity of women-led startups from across Pakistan. The event, a platform for entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem leaders, showcased innovative ventures and recognized the remarkable contributions of women to Pakistan’s growing startup scene. This is the fifth edition of the hackathon conducted by The Asia Foundation, this time in partnership with Accelerate Prosperity.
From 320 submissions by women founders from diverse grassroots communities, six finalists were selected to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges. The competition culminated in cash prizes and potential investment opportunities, aimed at accelerating the growth of the winning ventures.
- Filtresha, a startup that produces filter paper from chicken feathers, emerged as the winner, taking home PKR 1,000,000.
- Healthtech startup Kangaroo Care, which develops AI-powered medical devices for neonatal care, secured the first runner-up spot with PKR 700,000.
- The second runner-up, Earthalene, a venture focusing on commercial mushroom cultivation in Chitral, received PKR 300,000.
The Asia Foundation generously sponsored the cash prizes, and all three businesses are also in consideration for investment from Accelerate Prosperity.
This year’s Built By Her 5.0 was a milestone event, not only offering a competitive platform for women entrepreneurs but also fostering essential connections with key players in the business ecosystem. The event attracted widespread community support, reflecting the growing recognition of women as pivotal drivers of business growth in Pakistan.
Favad Soomro, Head of Engro Foundation and the event’s chief guest, expressed excitement over exploring market linkages and collaborations, reinforcing Engro’s commitment to nurturing women-led ventures. He emphasized the critical role women play in fueling economic growth and innovation in Pakistan.
Laurel Miller, President and CEO of The Asia Foundation, presented the cheques to the winners, encouraging further innovation and growth in the sector. An insightful fireside chat featured Amneh Sheikh-Farooqi, CEO of Polly and Other Stories, and Aqsa Tariq, Founder & CEO of GrowElle Labs, discussing the challenges of leading impact-driven businesses in today’s fast-paced world.
The event underscored the vast potential of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan and highlighted the importance of continued support for their ventures. As Built By Her 5.0 concludes, the impact of the challenge is expected to reverberate through the entrepreneurial ecosystem, inspiring future women leaders to pursue their innovative visions.
