'She Loves Tech' Encourages Women Entrepreneurs in Pakistan for 7th Consecutive Year

She Loves Tech, the well-known worldwide startup and tech competition dedicated to encouraging female entrepreneurs, has returned to Lahore for the seventh year in a row. This year's event is organised by CIRCLE Women Association, a women-led enterprise, and generously funded by HBL (Habib Bank Limited). It also includes a big partnership with COLABS.

She Loves Tech Pakistan is a beacon of change in a country where female entrepreneurs account for only 1% of the entrepreneurial scene. Notably, it placed in the top 10 rounds globally with the most applications in 2022, out of 70+ participating nations, demonstrating its enormous effect.

"Supporting women entrepreneurs is not merely an option; it is a vital necessity of our time," said Sadaffe Abid, Founder of CIRCLE Women. By closing the gender gap in entrepreneurship, we release our women's latent potential and inventiveness while tackling our era's concerns. Embracing women in their entrepreneurial endeavours goes beyond business creation; it strengthens families, empowers generations, and cultivates dynamic communities."

She Loves Tech is critical in supporting fledgling entrepreneurs and turning their unique ideas into practical reality. It distinguishes itself by providing large prize financing of up to $100,000, as well as linking female entrepreneurs with a network of over 50 ecosystem partners, inspiring role models, and mentors, while also strengthening their capacities through specialised curriculum. The overall winner from Pakistan will attend the She Loves Tech Global Finale and Conference in Singapore.

Dr. Sarah Alam, Founder of Tibbi.pk and She Loves Tech Pakistan 2022 Winner, recounted her experience, stating, "She Loves Tech made me realise that I'm not alone as a female entrepreneur." It has provided me with a community that I can call my own and on anytime I need it. The assistance offered at boot camp and by our mentors was important in moulding us for victory."

This year, She Loves Tech Pakistan expanded its scope to include local rounds in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Sukkur, Quetta, Hyderabad, and Gilgit, among the 15 cities participating. The She Loves Tech Pakistan team travelled visited six of these locations, hosting rounds on the ground and interacting with entrepreneurs in person, thanks to focused outreach efforts. What is the goal? To engage and empower 25,000 young women in Pakistan by providing interesting pitches, insightful panel discussions, inspirational presentations, digital boot camps, and workshops suited to their specific needs.

The She Loves Tech Lahore Round promises to be an even bigger spectacle than the She Loves Tech Multan and Faisalabad rounds. This event was more than simply a venue for making contacts, gathering insights, and accelerating entrepreneurial ventures.

The event featured the remarkable keynote speaker, Shehlale Javed Khan, Head of Relationship Management Central HBL, under the patronage of Ms. Sumaira Samad, Secretary Women Development Punjab, and with an esteemed panel of judges including Neha Idrees, Umer Shahzad, Anam Sadiq, Faria Shahid, and Maryam Khan. Javeria Fahad, Myra Qureshi, and Samina Amjad moderated a stimulating panel discussion. Ms. Sumaira Samad, Secretary Women Development Punjab, was the event's chief guest.

Neha Idrees, Strategy Lead COLABS, Umer Shahzad, General Manager Khudi Ventures, Anam Sadiq, Co-Founder EDKASA, Faria Shahid, Head Affluent Segments- HBL, and Maryam Khan, Vice President SAWDF were the judges. Shehlale Javed Khan, Head of Relationship Management Central HBL, was the event's keynote speaker. Javeria Fahad, Head of Global Marketing Systems Limited, Myra Qureshi, Co-Founder Co Natural, and Samina Amjad, Head Arfa Karim Foundation, moderated the panel discussion.

Dr. Asif Moh Owais Rana - Consultant LGU and KCW Nosheen Anwar Azeem -Team Leader Corporate Commercial & Investment Banking Group, Ali Siddiqi - CEO Amal University, Rizwan Anwar Global Youth Ambassador for UN and Chairman Youth Revolution Clan, Pakistan, Mr. Douglas F. David - Chief Human Resource Officer FC College, Mrs. Sadaf Talha - DGM Ecommerce Sapphire Pakistan, and many others attended this event.

Overall, she enjoys technology. Lahore Round exemplified the marriage of technology and empowerment, displaying a future in which creativity knows no limitations.