Standard Chartered and INNOVentures Global Launch Cohort 5 of Women in Tech Programme to Boost Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs in Pakistan
In a groundbreaking effort to empower women entrepreneurs in Pakistan, Standard Chartered, in partnership with INNOVentures Global (Pvt.) Ltd., has announced the launch of the 5th cohort of its Women in Tech (WiT) programme. This initiative is part of the bank’s global Futuremakers initiative, which aims to combat inequality and promote economic inclusion.
The Women in Tech programme is specifically designed to address the gender disparity in entrepreneurship by providing support to female-led enterprises. Through a combination of business management training and mentoring, participants receive valuable capacity-building opportunities, all facilitated by Standard Chartered’s renowned accelerator programme.
Since its inception in 2019, the programme has already garnered immense interest, attracting over 1200 female-led enterprises in Pakistan. Out of these, an impressive 88 female founders have actively participated in the bank’s accelerator programme. Moreover, upon completing the programme and presenting their final pitches, 26 of these enterprises have secured essential seed funding.
The collaboration with INNOVentures Global further bolsters Standard Chartered’s focus on empowering women in Pakistan through innovation and technology-led entrepreneurship. By nurturing unique business ideas and bringing them to the market, the programme seeks to promote economic and social development while celebrating the achievements of women in Pakistan.
The Women in Tech Incubators/Accelerators, originally launched by Standard Chartered Americas in October 2014 as a local community project, have now expanded to thirteen countries. As of April 2023, this transformative programme has touched the lives of more than 3200 female entrepreneurs globally.
In conclusion, the launch of the 5th cohort of the Women in Tech programme by Standard Chartered and INNOVentures Global promises to create a thriving ecosystem for women entrepreneurs in Pakistan. Through capacity-building, mentorship, and seed funding, this initiative is set to unlock new opportunities, inspire innovation, and drive economic empowerment for women across the nation.
