The Standard Chartered Foundation Women in Tech Accelerator for 2026 in Pakistan is now accepting applications. This initiative, delivered in partnership with Village Capital and INNOVentures Global, is tailored for women founders of tech-enabled startups who are prepared to scale their operations. The program focuses on supporting validated, growth-stage businesses that are already operational and poised for sustainable expansion by providing the necessary support, structure, and capital to foster long-term economic impact.
Program Overview
• Initiative: A global program by the Standard Chartered Foundation, active across Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan.
• Global Goals: Aims to support 400 women entrepreneurs across 12 countries, distribute over USD 1.9M in grants, and enable over 1,200 jobs.
• Pakistan Impact Since 2019: Supported over 170 women-led startups across more than 20 sectors.
• Venture Success: Supported ventures have generated over PKR 9 billion in revenue, with portfolio companies unlocking follow-on funding and achieving sustained growth.
Program Structure
• Selection Process: Up to 30 women founders will be shortlisted following a pitch and due diligence process.
• Capacity Building: A 1-week bootcamp designed to strengthen business models and scaling strategies.
• Validation Phase: 10 selected ventures will receive seed grants to pilot test their scaling plans, accompanied by 2 months of mentorship via IGPL.
• Scale-up Phase: The top 3 ventures will be awarded scale-up grants of PKR 5M, 3.5M, and 2M respectively.
• Global Network Access: Participants will be connected to a global network of peers, funders, and mentors through the Village Capital and Standard Chartered ecosystem.
Eligibility Criteria
• Leadership: Startups must be women-led, with a Pakistani woman in a key ownership or leadership position. Founders are typically between 18–35 years of age.
• Legal Status: Must be a registered entity (Private Limited, Non-profit, or Sole Proprietorship) operating for at least 6 months and up to 5 years.
• Stage: Must be in the early stage, with under USD 100K in revenue and under USD 500K in funding.
• Business Model: The business must be tech-first or tech-enabled.
• Traction: Applicants must demonstrate early traction through revenue, users, or pilots, and have a clear plan to scale using the catalytic capital.
Key Benefits
• Funding: Access to catalytic grant funding to fuel growth.
• Mentorship: Personalised mentorship and capacity-building support.
• Networking: Opportunities for global exposure and networking.
• Business Growth: Comprehensive support to validate, scale, and expand business operations.
Application Details
• Status: Applications for Cohort 8 (2026) are now open.
• Deadline: The final day for submissions is April 24, 2026.
• Contact Information: For queries or submission issues, please email tasneem.mirza@sc.com.
This accelerator provides a structured pathway for women entrepreneurs in Pakistan to strengthen their strategies, build sustainable businesses, and scale with confidence. Founders who meet the criteria are encouraged to apply to leverage this opportunity for growth, funding, and global network access.