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.

Lahore – Cities and regions go beyond just roads, buildings, and infrastructure. They are where people live, pursue their dreams, and forge their futures. Punjab has long been a land rich in stories—heritage, culture, and resilience. Today, it is also emerging as a region geared up for future opportunities.

The creation of the Central Business District Punjab (CBD Punjab) is part of that journey. When the idea for CBD Punjab was first conceived, the goal was not simply to develop another commercial hub. It was to create a modern urban ecosystem that could support economic growth across Punjab while improving the everyday lives of its people. Over the past five years, that vision has steadily taken shape.

Development should ultimately serve the people who live and work across the region. That is why one of the primary focuses has been improving connectivity and mobility in key areas of Punjab.

Projects such as CBD Route 47 and the transformation of major corridors like Walton Road are designed to make movement easier for commuters, businesses, and communities alike. These initiatives are not just infrastructure upgrades; they are investments in how people experience their surroundings—reducing congestion, improving access, and supporting the growth of surrounding districts. A region that moves efficiently creates opportunities for everyone.

For any region to grow sustainably, it must attract investment that generates jobs and drives economic activity. Over the last few years, CBD Punjab has introduced transparent and competitive commercial land auctions that have generated strong investor interest.

Behind every investment lies the potential for new businesses, employment opportunities, and economic growth that benefits communities across Punjab. The strong response from investors reflects a shared confidence in Punjab’s potential as a modern economic powerhouse.

The future of Punjab will be shaped not only by infrastructure but by ideas. That is why the development of NSIT City holds particular importance. NSIT City is envisioned as a hub where technology, research, and entrepreneurship come together. By connecting universities, technology companies, and innovators, the project aims to create opportunities for young professionals and entrepreneurs across Punjab to build their careers and businesses. For the youth of Punjab, this represents a platform to turn ideas into impact.

While development is essential, it must be balanced with responsibility toward the environment and future generations.

At CBD Punjab, sustainability remains a key part of the planning approach. From incorporating green spaces to encouraging energy-efficient development, the aim is to ensure that progress does not come at the expense of environmental well-being.

A truly modern region must grow in ways that remain mindful of its surroundings and its people.

The past five years have laid an important foundation, but the journey of CBD Punjab is far from complete. The aspiration is to see Punjab emerge as a region that combines its rich heritage with modern opportunita place where businesses can grow, innovation can flourish, and communities can thrive.

Ultimately, the story of CBD Punjab is about more than infrastructure. It is about people—creating spaces where ambition can grow, opportunities can expand, and the future of Punjab can unfold. Because when development is centered on people, progress truly belongs to everyone.

LAHORE – Imran Amin, CEO of CBD Punjab, led a high-level review meeting to evaluate the progress of key development projects.During the session, the CEO emphasised the need to speed up work across all sites, insisting that each project must be finished on time without compromising on top-tier construction standards.

The meeting was attended by Executive Director Technical Riaz Hussain, Director Project Management Asif Iqbal, Director Construction Asif Babar, and Director Architecture & Planning Sameer Aftab Sial, along with senior officials from NESPAK and representatives of the relevant contracting firms.

During the session, the CEO of CBD Punjab was briefed on the final finishing stages of CBD Vertex, the ongoing development of CBD Walk, and the development of the extensive green area within NSIT City.

Addressing the participants, CEO of CBD Punjab Imran Amin highlighted that CBD Walk is poised to transform Lahore’s retail and fine-dining landscape, emerging as a landmark commercial destination in the city. He reiterated CBD Punjab’s commitment to handing over the project to investors within the agreed timeframe, ensuring a significant boost to Punjab’s commercial infrastructure.

The CEO of CBD Punjab, Imran Amin, also directed that the 55.9-acre green area within NSIT City be developed as a state-of-the-art urban green facility, fully aligned with modern environmental and sustainability standards. He emphasized that the project reflects CBD Punjab’s vision for environmentally responsible urban development and the creation of sustainable public spaces.

The meeting concluded with instructions to ensure strict quality control while maintaining momentum so that all ongoing initiatives are completed without delay for the benefit of citizens and the regional economy