Pakistani entrepreneurs are gaining international recognition, as Suha Suleman Lalani, co-founder of PinkDetect, was named in Inc. Magazine’s Female Founders 500 list for 2026.
At just 25, the Karachi-born has secured a place among 500 of the world’s most influential women in entrepreneurship - joining the likes of Serena Williams, Emma Grede, and Michelle Zatlyn, read a statement.
PinkDetect, founded three years ago, uses AI in early breast cancer detection through accessible, data-driven, and culturally sensitive solutions designed for underserved communities in Pakistan. It comes equipped with self-help guides, educational resources, a personal dashboard, and pinpoints nearby clinics, increasing access to care for women.
Lalani’s journey began in a university dorm room in Canada, where she was studying biomedical sciences and researching cancer biology. As she examined the scale of late-stage breast cancer detection across developing countries like Pakistan, she was personally affected by the disease.
This inspired her to create a breast self-examination simulation alongside a classmate, which became the foundation of PinkDetect.
“Breast cancer outcomes should not depend on where a woman lives or what resources she has access to,” states Lalani.
“In Pakistan, delayed diagnosis continues to drive unnecessary mortality, and that is a solvable problem. PinkDetect was created to help close this gap and bring earlier, more accessible detection to communities that have historically been underserved. When we make early detection more equitable, we change outcomes, families and futures.”
PinkDetect: Using AI to transform breast health in Pakistan
Lalani is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at Harvard University, after earning a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences from Toronto Metropolitan University. She previously served as a Generative AI Specialist at Microsoft in the healthcare and life sciences sector.
“From the beginning, our team believed that PinkDetect had to be more than just an app. As a co-founder and CEO, I have focused on ensuring that everything we build is grounded in evidence, equity, and real community need, so that our work translates into meaningful impact,” co-founder and CEO Solmaz Ebrahmi-Iranpour states.
“This means designing systems that empower women with practical tools, measurable outcomes, and access to care that feels safe and culturally respectful. This recognition reflects the strength of our shared vision and the collective effort behind PinkDetect’s growth, from early dorm room prototypes with Suha and grassroots workshops to a tech-driven platform reaching women across borders. I am incredibly proud of how far we have come and of the trust women have placed in us to help them take control of their breast health.”
The Inc. Female Founders 500 recognition highlights that Pakistan-born founders are shaping global health innovation and that social enterprises rooted in empathy and purpose can compete at the highest levels and belong on the world stage.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.