10 ‘exceptional’ female-led startups to receive Rs1m from Standard Chartered

Standard Chartered Pakistan, in collaboration with Village Capital and INNOVentures Global, has announced the 10 winning startups of its Women in Tech Accelerator Programme 2025.

Selected from a cohort of 30 participants who took part in a five-day intensive business acceleration bootcamp, each of the 10 startups will now receive PKR 1 million in funding to validate and scale their business plans, the bank confirmed on Thursday.

The chosen ventures represent a diverse range of sectors including women empowerment, mental health, education technology, wellness, climate innovations, and sustainable fashion.

Eight-Week Mentorship and Growth Journey

Over the next eight weeks, each startup founder will undergo tailored mentorship, structured programming, and strategic guidance to strengthen their business models, test market assumptions, and refine scaling strategies.

“The Women in Tech Accelerator Programme is multifaceted, supporting women entrepreneurs not just with funding but with mentorship, structured guidance, and the tools that they need to scale their businesses with confidence,” said Raeda Latif, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing at Standard Chartered Pakistan.

“Together, we are creating an ecosystem where women-led ventures can drive meaningful economic impact across Pakistan,” she added.

Meet the 10 Finalists

1. Atfaal – Erum Sheheryar
A sustainable children’s clothing brand that empowers underprivileged women through training and employment. Atfaal upcycles factory waste into affordable kids’ apparel, creating both home-based and factory jobs to bridge the gap between skill-building and income generation.

2. AZ CO – Asra Amin
Pakistan’s first women-focused coworking movement offering safe and inclusive workspaces with daycare, wellness, and mentorship facilities. AZ CO plans to expand into a hybrid AI-enabled platform with mentor-matching, grievance redressal, and virtual coworking to build a community of 10,000+ women.

3. BizB – Sehrish Raza
A re-commerce marketplace for pre-loved fashion aimed at reducing landfill waste and promoting resale culture. BizB empowers women as micro-entrepreneurs while driving sustainable consumption and economic participation.

4. Calcix International – Noor Riaz & Fizza Munir
A green innovation startup producing biodegradable, limestone-based pellets as an alternative to plastics. Calcix seeks to pilot with manufacturers and position Pakistan as a leader in eco-friendly materials.

5. Dakhlay – Sheharbano Zuhair
Pakistan’s first end-to-end digital admissions platform simplifying university and college applications. It offers personalized university matching, deadline management, financial aid guidance, and expert mentorship for students nationwide.

6. Digital Superwomen – Nida S. Fahad & Tooba Syed
An AI-powered digital upskilling platform driven by Pakistan’s 70,000-member Superwomen community. Focused on training, mentorship, and career linkages, it aims to become South Asia’s largest women-centric digital learning ecosystem.

7. FitHER – Dr. Shaista Khalid
A personalized women-first health and wellness platform offering affordable and expert-led guidance tailored to women’s physiology and life stages, ensuring inclusive health support.

8. Ootein – Maria Ameer
Pakistan’s first certified allergen-free food brand, producing safe staples in a contamination-free facility. With plans for automation, Ootein aims to provide allergen-free nutrition for children and patients across the country.

9. Soch Matters – Hiba Khan
A digital mental health and career counselling platform linking users with verified therapists, counsellors, and career experts. It provides confidential one-on-one sessions, guided programs, and curated resources to make mental health care accessible and stigma-free.

10. Yumkis Foods – Hira Mubeen
A baby food brand producing additive-free, nutrient-rich cereals for infants and toddlers. With a focus on safety, affordability, and caregiver education, Yumkis aims to bridge Pakistan’s nutrition gap in early childhood.

About the Women in Tech Accelerator

Launched in 2019, the Standard Chartered Women in Tech Accelerator is one of the bank’s flagship initiatives to empower women entrepreneurs in Pakistan. The program provides funding, mentorship, and a growth-focused support ecosystem, helping women-led ventures scale sustainably and make lasting economic contributions.