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Standard Chartered Foundation, Village Capital expand women in tech accelerator to eighth cohort

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LAHORE – Standard Chartered, in collaboration with Village Capital and InnoVentures Global, announced the launch of the eighth Women in Tech Pakistan Accelerator cohort today, celebrating eight years of supporting women-led, tech-enabled businesses nationwide.

Since its launch in Pakistan, the programme has supported more than 1,300 enterprises, with over 150 women founders graduating and more than 50 ventures securing seed funding.

The 2026 cohort will equip founders with investment readiness training, catalytic funding, and access to world-class networks, helping them strengthen their businesses and position for growth. In Pakistan, the accelerator will be delivered by InnoVentures Global, leveraging its proven expertise in entrepreneur support and ecosystem development.

Rehan Shaikh, Chief Executive Officer & Head of Coverage, Pakistan, Standard Chartered, said: “Our eighth cohort underscores our consistent commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs in Pakistan and reflects the steady growth of the ecosystem over time. 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: “Our focus is to equip founders with the tools, capital access, and structured support they need to scale sustainably. By strengthening the pipeline of women-led businesses, we aim to foster innovation, create jobs, and drive meaningful economic impact.”

Nakami Walunywa, Regional Director, Africa and Middle East at Village Capital said: “In 2025, 71 women-led startups in the programme grew their businesses and collectively generated over USD 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. In 2026, we’re continuing to create the conditions for even more women-led startups to thrive and positively impact their communities.”

The three-year initiative continues to address key barriers facing women entrepreneurs, particularly in accessing finance, networks, and business development resources. Through the accelerator, 400 women founders across the region are expected to benefit from structured support to help them develop and grow their ventures.

Nida Athar, Founder of InnoVentures Global Private Limited, said: “Our continued work through the Women in Tech Accelerator reflects a long-term commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs across Pakistan. 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. Their journeys are helping shape a pipeline of strong role models for future generations of women in entrepreneurship. As we begin the next cycle, we look forward to continuing this work and supporting a new wave of women entrepreneurs stepping forward to build.”

Applications for the Pakistan cohort are open until 1 May 2026, with selected participants joining the programme between June and October.
The Standard Chartered Women in Tech Accelerator builds on the successful global track record, which has supported over 4,000 women across 17 markets since inception. This year, the program has allocated more than USD 600,000 in grant funding to entrepreneurs across 12 markets, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, South Africa, and Nigeria.
Full details and availability criteria can be found here: Women In Tech – Standard Chartered Pakistan.

Business

Zong Special Bundles for Hajj Pilgrims

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ISLAMABAD – Zong, Pakistan’s leading technology service enterprise, has launched customized bundles for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage, aimed at ensuring seamless connectivity and uninterrupted communication for pilgrims throughout their sacred journey.

Zong ensures continuity through international roaming services, allowing pilgrims to continue using their existing Pakistan number while staying connected on Zong’s own network. With instant connectivity upon arrival at the airport, users can access communication services immediately and share important updates and cherished moments without disruption throughout their journey.

A key highlight of these bundles is seamless WhatsApp-based communication in Saudi Arabia, enabling pilgrims to stay connected with family and loved ones on their existing Zong number without any additional setup.

The bundle portfolio features the Saudi Arabia IR WhatsApp Offer (1 GB for PKR 1,374), Mini Hajj Bundle (2 GB, 10 mins, 10 SMS for PKR 1,500), and the Super Hajj Bundle (5 GB, 20 mins, 50 SMS for PKR 3,000). For higher-usage customers, the Mega Hajj Bundle provides 10 GB of data, an additional 2 GB for WhatsApp, 60 minutes, and 60 SMS for PKR 5,500. All bundles are valid for 30 days, ensuring reliable, convenient and uninterrupted communication throughout the pilgrimage.

Khurram Ishaq, Head of International Business, Zong, stated: “Supporting Pakistan’s pilgrims is a responsibility we hold close to our hearts. We’ve moved beyond standard offerings to design truly personalized bundles that reflect how families communicate today.

By prioritizing seamless, high-speed access for the apps pilgrims rely on most, such as WhatsApp, we are addressing the modern traveler’s need for convenience and peace of mind. We are proud to serve as the bridge that keeps our customers connected to home, allowing them to remain fully focused on this journey of a lifetime.”

Zong users can conveniently subscribe to these special bundles through the Zong website, My Zong App, or by dialing 310.

Through these specially curated offerings, Zong continues to drive Pakistan’s digital transformation agenda through innovative solutions and services, ensuring uninterrupted communication and a seamless experience for pilgrims.

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itel Energy showcases AI-powered solar solutions at Lahore expo

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LAHORE – itel Energy concluded its participation as a diamond sponsor at the Lahore Solar Expo 2026 on April 22, presenting a range of renewable energy solutions aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s energy resilience.

The three-day exhibition attracted industry professionals and technology enthusiasts, with the company using the platform to introduce its latest innovations in solar and energy storage technologies.

A key highlight of the showcase was the Sparta Series hybrid inverter, featuring an AI-based optimisation system branded as SmartGo AI. According to the company, the system monitors weather patterns and adjusts battery usage automatically to maintain uninterrupted power supply during adverse conditions.

itel Energy also presented its Power Series portable energy solutions, which it said are equipped with Grade A lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) cells designed to ensure durability and a lifespan of up to 10 years.

In addition, the company demonstrated its commercial and industrial (C&I) energy systems, including the IPX-51314SPT battery solution. The system is designed to support scalable energy storage, allowing businesses to expand backup capacity up to 768kWh.

Speaking at the event, itel Energy Vice-President Eason Duan said the company’s “Power Up Pakistan” initiative focuses on providing reliable and intelligent energy solutions to households and industries.

The company said its participation in the expo reflects a broader commitment to promoting sustainable energy adoption and supporting the country’s transition towards cleaner power sources.

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Saad Ali Qureshi launches USPBA Pakistan chapter to promote trade and investment

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LAHORE – The US–Pakistan Business Alliance (USPBA) was successfully launched under Chairman Saad Ali Qureshi, COO of Rustum Associates and Dynamic Constructors. This marks a key advancement in boosting bilateral trade, investment, and economic collaboration between Pakistan and the United States.

The newly formed alliance aims to create a dynamic platform that connects entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, and professionals from both countries. By fostering collaboration and building strategic partnerships, the alliance seeks to unlock new opportunities for trade expansion, innovation, and sustainable economic growth.
Addressing the launch ceremony, Chairman Saad Ali Qureshi emphasized the importance of stronger economic ties between Pakistan and the United States. He stated that the US–Pakistan Business Alliance will play a vital role in bridging the gap between the business communities of both nations and facilitating meaningful partnerships.

“The establishment of the US–Pakistan Business Alliance is a major milestone in strengthening commercial relations between Pakistan and the United States. Our mission is to empower entrepreneurs, promote investment opportunities, and create a supportive platform where businesses from both countries can collaborate and grow together,” said Saad Ali Qureshi.

He further added that the alliance will focus on encouraging cross-border investments, supporting startups and emerging businesses, and promoting innovation across various sectors, including technology, manufacturing, trade, and services.

The alliance also plans to organize international business forums, networking events, trade delegations, and policy dialogues aimed at bringing together business leaders, policymakers, and investors. These initiatives will help facilitate knowledge exchange, strengthen economic partnerships, and promote mutual understanding between the private sectors of both countries.

Business leaders, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders welcomed the launch of the alliance and expressed optimism that the platform will open new avenues for cooperation and create long-term opportunities for trade and investment. They noted that such initiatives are essential for building stronger economic bridges and enhancing global business connectivity.

The launch of the US–Pakistan Business Alliance is being viewed as a positive and forward-looking development that will contribute to the expansion of bilateral trade, encourage foreign investment, and strengthen long-term economic collaboration between Pakistan and the United States.

Through its initiatives and partnerships, the alliance aims to become a key platform for promoting business growth, supporting economic diplomacy, and fostering stronger commercial ties between the two nations.

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