Applications for Cohort 8 of the Standard Chartered Foundation Women in Tech Accelerator (Pakistan) are officially open. This is one of the most significant opportunities available to women entrepreneurs in Pakistan today — and the deadline is April 24, 2026.
The programme is powered by the Standard Chartered Foundation and delivered in partnership with Village Capital and INNOVentures Global. It is purpose-built for women founders who have already validated their idea and are ready to scale — with the right support structure, strategic mentorship, and catalytic funding behind them.
What Is the Women in Tech Accelerator?
The Women in Tech Accelerator is a global initiative by the Standard Chartered Foundation, active across Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan. In Pakistan, it has been operating since 2019, making it one of the country's longest-running, highest-impact programmes dedicated exclusively to women-led technology ventures.
Unlike early-stage incubators that focus on idea validation, this accelerator is designed for growth-stage startups — businesses already in motion with early traction, registered legal entities, and a clear vision for scale. The programme provides structured support across capacity building, pilot validation, and direct grant funding.
Programme Structure: How It Works
Selected founders move through a structured journey with clearly defined stages and increasing levels of support and capital:
Up to 30 women founders are shortlisted following a pitch and due diligence review.
A 1-week intensive bootcamp to strengthen business models, refine scaling strategies, and sharpen founder skills.
10 ventures receive seed grants to pilot-test their scaling plans, supported by 2 months of dedicated mentorship via IGPL.
The top 3 ventures are awarded scale-up grants — see breakdown below.
All participants gain access to global peers, funders, and mentors through the Village Capital and Standard Chartered ecosystem.
Scale-Up Grant Breakdown — Top 3 Winners
Who Should Apply? Eligibility Criteria
The programme is specifically designed for growth-stage, women-led tech startups in Pakistan. Here is a complete breakdown of what your startup needs to qualify:
- ✓ Women-led: A Pakistani woman must hold a key ownership or leadership role in the startup.
- ✓ Registered entity: Your business must be legally registered as a Private Limited company, Non-profit, or Sole Proprietorship.
- ✓ Operational history: The startup must have been operating for at least 6 months and no more than 5 years.
- ✓ Early stage: Revenue under USD 100,000 and total funding raised under USD 500,000.
- ✓ Tech-first or tech-enabled: Your core business model must be driven by or meaningfully enabled by technology.
- ✓ Traction: Early evidence of growth — revenue, active users, or pilots — with a clear, capital-driven scaling plan.
- ✓ Founder age: Founders are typically between 18 and 35 years of age, in line with programme criteria.
Key Benefits of Joining
Seed grants for validation and scale-up grants up to PKR 5M for top-performing ventures.
Dedicated 1-on-1 mentorship and capacity building tailored to your startup's growth stage.
Connect with an international network of funders, founders, and industry experts via Village Capital.
Hands-on guidance to validate your scaling plan, expand your reach, and build a sustainable business.
A Global Programme with Local Impact
The Women in Tech Accelerator is not just a Pakistan initiative — it is part of a coordinated global effort by the Standard Chartered Foundation spanning multiple continents.
Global Programme Targets (3-Year Horizon)
For Pakistan specifically, the programme has built a proven track record — portfolio companies have gone on to attract follow-on investment, achieve sustained growth, and become investment-ready businesses. The broader impact includes job creation, market development, and long-term economic contribution across diverse sectors.
Delivered by a Trusted Partnership
The credibility of this programme lies in its partnership structure. It brings together three globally respected organisations:
Village Capital is one of the world's leading venture development organisations, known for peer-selected investment models and global reach. INNOVentures Global (IGPL) brings deep expertise in startup mentorship and regional market acceleration. Together with the Standard Chartered Foundation's funding and institutional credibility, this is a programme built on substance — not just branding.
How to Apply
- Review the eligibility criteria carefully to confirm your startup qualifies.
- Visit the official application portal: sc.com/pk/campaign/women-in-tech/apply
- Complete and submit your application before April 24, 2026.
- If you encounter any technical issues with the form, email: [email protected]
- Shortlisted founders will be contacted directly for the pitch and due diligence phase.
Your Startup Is Ready. Now Scale It.
Applications for Cohort 8 close on April 24, 2026. Grants of up to PKR 5M, global mentorship, and a community of women founders await.
Apply Now — Women in Tech Accelerator →Queries? Contact [email protected]
