Standard Chartered Pakistan announces winners of its Women in Tech Cohort 7

Standard Chartered Pakistan’s Women in Tech Accelerator funded by Standard Chartered Foundation has announced its Cohort 7 winners post a graduation ceremony held at Pearl Continental, Karachi.

The programme run in collaboration with Village Capital and INNOVentures Global selected 10 exceptional startups out of a cohort of 30 who underwent a five-day business acceleration bootcamp.

These ventures span diverse sectors including women empowerment, mental health, edtech, health and wellness, climate innovations and circular fashion. Each startup received funding of PKR 1 million to validate their scaling plan.

Rehan Shaikh, CEO & Head of Coverage, Standard Chartered Pakistan commented, “Each of our founders has worked immensely hard to validate, strengthen, and scale their business ideas. The Women in Tech Accelerator Programme supports women entrepreneurs with funding and through mentorship, structured guidance, and the tools that they need to scale their businesses with confidence. Together, we are fostering an ecosystem where women-led enterprises can make significant economic contributions across Pakistan. The programme remains a shining example of what can be achieved when women entrepreneurs are provided not only with a platform but also with the capital, confidence, and community support to thrive.”

The three winners of this year’s Women in Tech programme are:

Yumkins Foods – Winner (PKR 5 Million)

Founded by Hira Mubeen, a nutritionist and entrepreneur, Yumkins Foods is Pakistan’s first fresh, preservative-free baby food brand, designed for infants and toddlers aged six months to five years. Addressing a market dominated by processed imports, Yumkins offers locally made, science-backed meals crafted with pediatric dieticians using organic ingredients sourced from local farmers. Produced under HACCP-certified standards and delivered via a cold-chain system with a 7–10 day shelf life, Yumkins ensures both freshness and convenience. With 85% customer satisfaction, 40% repeat orders, and strong early traction, the brand has validated a powerful demand for healthy, trustworthy baby food. Supported by the Women in Tech program, Yumkins is scaling operations, expanding to Lahore and Islamabad, and exploring exports to GCC markets. By blending nutrition, science, and maternal care, Yumkins is leading a movement for safer, fresher childhood nutrition in Pakistan.

Atfaal – 1st Runner up (PKR 3.5 Million)

Founded in 2020 by Erum Sheheryar, Atfaal is a social enterprise bridging the gap between women’s training and employment in Pakistan. Built on a “Training + Work” model, Atfaal equips women from underprivileged communities with stitching skills and ensures dignified income opportunities through home-based or safe industrial work. What sets it apart is its circular production system — upcycling textile waste into stylish, affordable kidswear sold through Daraz, social media, and pop-ups. Starting with one machine and PKR 25,000, Atfaal now generates PKR 4.3 million annually, has sold 5,000+ garments, and empowered over 40 women. With support from the Women in Tech program, it aims to expand production, launch a digital sales platform, and train 60 more women while repurposing 14 tonnes of fabric waste. By combining affordability, sustainability, and empowerment, Atfaal is proving that social impact and profitability can go hand in hand.

Ootein – 2nd Runner up (PKR 2 Million)

Founded by Maria Ameer, a celiac patient turned entrepreneur, Ootein is Pakistan’s first certified allergen-free food brand, created to provide safe, affordable nutrition for the 14.7 million Pakistanis living with food allergies and intolerances. Together with co-founder Rabia Ameer, Maria built a contamination-free production facility offering gluten-, lactose-, nut-, and refined sugar–free products like bread, cookies, nuggets, and rice substitutes. With 3,000+ customers, 40% repeat purchase rate, and PKR 2.2 million in annual revenue, Ootein has proven both demand and trust. Supported by the Women in Tech program, it’s scaling production, expanding to 10+ cities, and training women in allergen-safe manufacturing. By combining science, empathy, and entrepreneurship, Ootein is pioneering a health revolution, ensuring that safe, allergen-free food is a right, not a privilege.