Standard Chartered Pakistan concluded its Women in Tech Accelerator Cohort 7 graduation ceremony at Pearl Continental Karachi, announcing three winning ventures that will receive substantial funding to scale their innovative businesses.
Operating in partnership with Village Capital and INNOVentures Global, the programme selected 10 exceptional startups from 30 participants who completed an intensive five-day business acceleration bootcamp. Each finalist received PKR 1 million for scaling validation, with top performers earning additional substantial investments.
Yumkins Foods secured the winning position with PKR 5 million in funding. Founded by nutritionist Hira Mubeen, the venture produces Pakistan’s first preservative-free baby food brand for infants aged six months to five years. The company utilizes HACCP-certified facilities and cold-chain delivery systems, achieving 85% customer satisfaction and 40% repeat purchase rates while sourcing organic ingredients from local farmers.
Atfaal claimed first runner-up honors with PKR 3.5 million. Established by Erum Sheheryar in 2020, this social enterprise operates a dual training-employment model, teaching underprivileged women stitching skills while creating income opportunities. The venture upcycles textile waste into affordable children’s clothing, generating PKR 4.3 million annually while empowering over 40 women and selling more than 5,000 garments through multiple channels.
Second runner-up Ootein received PKR 2 million funding. Maria Ameer created Pakistan’s first certified allergen-free food brand after her celiac diagnosis, addressing needs of 14.7 million Pakistanis with food sensitivities. The contamination-free facility produces gluten, lactose, nut, and refined sugar-free alternatives including bread, cookies, and nuggets, serving 3,000 customers with 40% repeat purchases.
Standard Chartered Pakistan CEO Rehan Shaikh emphasized the programme’s role in fostering women-led enterprises through mentorship, structured guidance, and necessary scaling tools. The accelerator spans diverse sectors including mental health, education technology, health wellness, climate innovation, and circular fashion, supporting women entrepreneurs nationwide.
