She Loves Tech, a well-known global startup and tech competition aimed at promoting female entrepreneurs, has returned to Lahore for the eighth year in a row. CIRCLE Women Association, a women-led company, is organising this year's event, which is graciously sponsored by HBL (Habib Bank Limited). It also features a significant collaboration with COLABS.
She is fascinated with technology. In a country where female entrepreneurs account for barely 1% of the business landscape, Pakistan is a beacon of progress. Notably, it finished in the top ten worldwide rounds with the most applications in 2022, out of 70+ participating countries, proving its significant impact.
"Supporting women entrepreneurs is not an option; it is a critical need of our time," Sadaffe Abid, Founder of CIRCLE Women, remarked. We liberate our women's latent potential and ingenuity while addressing our era's challenges by bridging the gender gap in entrepreneurship. Accepting women in their economic efforts does more than only improve families, empower generations, and develop vibrant communities."
She Loves Tech is crucial in assisting new entrepreneurs in making their unique ideas a reality. It differentiates itself by offering huge prize funds of up to $100,000, as well as connecting female entrepreneurs with a network of over 50 ecosystem partners, inspiring role models, and mentors, as well as building their capabilities through specialist curriculum. The ultimate winner from Pakistan will be flown to Singapore for the She Loves Tech Global Finale and Conference.
Dr. Sarah Alam, Founder of Tibbi.pk and She Loves Tech Pakistan 2022 Winner, shared her experience, saying, "She Loves Tech made me realise that I'm not alone as a female entrepreneur." It has given me a community that I can call my own and rely on whenever I need it. The help we received at boot camp and from our mentors was critical in shaping us for victory."
This year, She Loves Tech Pakistan increased its scope to include local rounds in 15 cities, including Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Sukkur, Quetta, Hyderabad, and Gilgit. Thanks to targeted outreach efforts, the She Loves Tech Pakistan team visited six of these areas, organising rounds on the ground and connecting with entrepreneurs in person. What is the objective? 25,000 young women in Pakistan will be engaged and empowered by delivering exciting pitches, informative panel discussions, motivating lectures, digital boot camps, and workshops tailored to their individual requirements.
The She Loves Tech Lahore Round is expected to be even bigger than the She Loves Tech Multan and Faisalabad rounds. This event was more than just a place to network, get ideas, and accelerate business endeavours.
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, the event featured the remarkable keynote speaker, Shehlale Javed Khan, Head of Relationship Management Central HBL. A lively panel discussion was led by Javeria Fahad, Myra Qureshi, and Samina Amjad. The event's keynote speaker was Ms. Sumaira Samad, Secretary Women Development Punjab.
The panel of judges included 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. The event's main speaker was Shehlale Javed Khan, Head of Relationship Management Central HBL. The panel discussion was conducted by Javeria Fahad, Head of Global Marketing Systems Limited, Myra Qureshi, Co-Founder Co Natural, and Samina Amjad, Head Arfa Karim Foundation.
Dr. Asif Moh Owais Rana - LGU and KCW Consultant This event was attended by 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.
She appreciates technology in general. Lahore Round showcased the confluence of technology and empowerment, presenting a future where creativity has no bounds.
