Standard Chartered partners with Village Capital, InnoVentures Global

KARACHI: Standard Chartered, in partnership with Village Capital and InnoVentures Global, has announced the launch of the eighth cohort of its Women in Tech Pakistan Accelerator, continuing a long-running initiative to support women-led, tech-enabled businesses across the country.

Now in its eighth year, the programme has played a significant role in strengthening Pakistan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Since its inception, it has supported more than 1,300 enterprises, with over 150 women founders graduating and more than 50 ventures successfully securing seed funding.

The 2026 cohort aims to further build on this momentum by equipping participants with investment readiness training, catalytic funding opportunities, and access to global networks. In Pakistan, the accelerator will once again be delivered by InnoVentures Global, leveraging its experience in supporting entrepreneurs and developing innovation ecosystems.

Speaking at the launch, Rehan Shaikh, Chief Executive Officer and Head of Coverage for Pakistan at Standard Chartered, emphasized the bank’s continued commitment to women entrepreneurs.

“Our eighth cohort underscores our consistent commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs in Pakistan and reflects the steady growth of the ecosystem over time,” he said. “While access to funding and networks remains a challenge, expanding opportunities for women-led businesses is essential to building a stronger entrepreneurial landscape.”

He added that the programme focuses on equipping founders with the tools, capital access, and structured support needed for sustainable growth, ultimately fostering innovation, job creation, and broader economic impact.

Nakami Walunywa, Regional Director for Africa and the Middle East at Village Capital, highlighted the programme’s measurable outcomes. She noted that in 2025, 71 women-led startups participating in the initiative collectively generated more than $2 million in additional revenue.

“This demonstrates that when founders have access to structured, locally embedded support and catalytic funding, they can strengthen their strategies, engage investors confidently, and unlock sustainable impact,” she said. “In 2026, we’re continuing to create the conditions for even more women-led startups to thrive.”

The accelerator is part of a broader three-year initiative designed to address persistent barriers faced by women entrepreneurs, particularly in accessing finance, networks, and business development resources. Across the region, the programme is expected to support 400 women founders through structured training and mentorship.

Nida Athar, Founder of InnoVentures Global, underscored the long-term significance of the initiative.

“In a time of ongoing uncertainty, these founders are not only demonstrating resilience but are building credible, growth-oriented businesses that contribute meaningfully to the economy,” she said. “Their journeys are helping shape a pipeline of strong role models for future generations of women in entrepreneurship.”

Applications for the Pakistan cohort are open until May 1, 2026, with selected participants expected to join the programme between June and October.

Globally, the Standard Chartered Women in Tech Accelerator has supported more than 4,000 women across 17 markets. In 2026, the programme has allocated over $600,000 in grant funding across 12 markets, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, South Africa, and Nigeria.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026