Standard Chartered Bank (SCBPL), in partnership with INNOVentures Global (Private) Limited, announced winners of #SCWomenInTech Cohort 4, 2022. SCWomenInTech is a global programme aimed at supporting gender-representation within technology-based entrepreneurship.
Shortlisted from over 1400 applicants, seven winners have received upto PKR 1,500,000, in seed-grant funding for their businesses to grow through technology. These businesses were selected from a pool of the top 22 teams that have been through the #SCWomenInTech incubator for three months.
During this time, they were offered coaching and mentoring in business-management skills, to accelerate their business-growth to the next level. Sania Nishter, member of the senate along with Claire Dixon, Global Head Corporate Affairs and Brand and Marketing graced the graduation ceremony.
Rehan Shaikh, CEO, Standard Chartered Pakistan commented, “Four years ago, Standard Chartered Pakistan committed to lift participation through our #SCWomenInTech programme which focuses on greater financial inclusion and gender equality for female entrepreneurs across Pakistan.
The programme was curated with a simple objective of removing barriers, providing opportunities and furthering financial inclusion for women in Pakistan, which is a key priority of the Government and State Bank of Pakistan as well.
Over the years this programme has surfaced to be a great platform for aspiring female entrepreneurs in Pakistan by helping them realise their true potential. This initiative further builds upon Standard Chartered’s focus on increasing access to entrepreneurial finance and lifts participation of women in the economy through capacity building. It encapsulates the essence of the Bank’s sustainability strategy of Future makers, enabling the next generation to learn, earn and grow.
With the most diverse portfolio to date, the #SCWomenInTech 2022 had start-ups representing 14 Business Verticals. This year the programme attracted entrepreneurs and founders who are focused on many social issues focused on sustainable development goes including tackling issues of ‘Female Reproductive Health’, ‘Access to Feminine Hygiene products’ through Fem-Tech, improving ‘Air-Quality through a locally built product’ which are focused on SDG Goal-3 – ensuring good health and wellbeing.
The main verticals also included Agri-Tech, Health-Tech, Ed-Tech, Mental-Health, Fin-Tech, Prop-Tech, as well as Art & Design, along with start-ups working to put together an aggregate market-place and Web 3.0. The winners will be supported with extended mentoring and milestone-based disbursement of the winnings, for a period of 9 months.
