Standard Chartered Pakistan Launches 7th Cohort of Women in Tech Accelerator

Karachi: Standard Chartered Pakistan has announced the launch of the seventh cohort of its Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator, collaborating with INNOVentures Global (Pvt.) Limited. The accelerator program, initiated in 2019, aims to address gender disparity in the technology sector by supporting women-led startups with mentoring and financial resources.

This initiative is part of Standard Chartered’s broader Futuremakers program, which seeks to enhance economic inclusion and tackle inequality globally. The Women in Tech Accelerator has become a critical element of this mission, offering women entrepreneurs the tools needed to succeed and contribute to economic growth and social transformation in Pakistan.

Rehan Shaikh, CEO of Standard Chartered Pakistan, emphasized the significance of the program, highlighting its role in fostering equitable opportunities for women. Over the past six years, the accelerator has supported more than 143 women founders, with 43 startups receiving seed funding. The initiative has seen over 1,900 applications from women-led startups, demonstrating a strong interest and need for such programs.

Standard Chartered’s effort to expand entrepreneurial finance for women aligns closely with its Futuremakers strategy, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to financial inclusion and support for innovative business ideas led by women.