CIRCLE changing the face of entrepreneurial landscape for women

CIRCLE empowering women to be future entrepreneurs.


August 01, 2017
CIRCLE
Press Release
PHOTO:.i-genius.org

Entrepreneurship was once exclusively a man’s realm but, fortunately, that trend is changing. However, as more women become startup founders and venture into the field of innovation, they face obstacles that have kept the percentage of female founders from growing in the past five years.

Every year since 2012, 17% of companies have been founded by women who struggle to compete in a startup ecosystem that still caters to the man’s world. Women entrepreneurs in Pakistan face limited funds, mobility issues and the responsibility of juggling work and family life. In a world where women’s entrepreneurial ventures fade away under the heavy burdens of social and family expectations, CIRCLE enables women to fulfill their entrepreneurial dreams.

CIRCLE Global was founded by three aspiring women with diverse nationalities: Kelly Rappuchi, Oriane Kets de Vries and Sadaffe Abid. The nebulous idea turned into a reality when these women saw the personal and professional appeal of supporting women entrepreneurs and women in the work force. The concerns voiced by the women in their initial survey resonated strongly with them.

They named their company CIRCLE, realising that women open up about their fears and conquer their insecurities in close-knit, trusted circles. The three women then set out to create a global and local circle of support for women who wanted to launch startups, reach for leadership positions and get a seat on corporate boards.

CIRCLE Pakistan was in turn founded by Sadaffe Abid who is the former COO and CEO of Kashf Foundation, a Forbes top 50 micro-finance organisation. CIRCLE works to bring about economic empowerment and inclusion for females because it is founded on the belief that women have an untapped potential that can exponentially add to the economic and social development of the country.

CIRCLE works proactively by organising leadership seminars, mentorship for young women and growing women leaders, combined with research and advocacy campaigns to promote gender equality. CIRCLE’s research has shown that women tend to under-estimate themselves and lack access to networks and sponsors for their growth. It is these real challenges that CIRCLE is addressing.

Sadaffe Abid began her career in micro-finance before it became a worldwide movement. She worked to build Kashf from 2 small rooms to serve 300,000 women from low income families and disburse $200m in micro loans. Here, she learned the entrepreneurial power of female businesses and their ability to give back to their communities. After completing her Masters at Harvard Kennedy School, Sadaffe worked with women startups and women leaders in Dubai and later shifted back to Pakistan where she channeled her passion for women’s advancement and growth.

CIRCLE fulfills the diverse needs of fledgling entrepreneurs, focusing on women startups. Elevate Framework compels leaders all over the nation to give voice to women’s experiences and insights by encouraging them to sign the #ElevatePledge. The signatories of this pledge vow that they will only participate in a panel with at least one woman speaker. This is important because the visibility of women in any field is essential in order to create role models for young women and men and for devising sustainable solutions to Pakistan’s problems.

Females signing CIRCLE's Elevate Pledge to increase inclusiveness of women in the workforce.PHOTO:perspective.pk Females signing CIRCLE's Elevate Pledge to increase inclusiveness of women in the workforce.PHOTO: perspective.pk

The Elevate Pledge also builds on men as allies since they help in creating a culture that invests in women and enables them to contribute in a significantly. CIRCLE also advocates for women in tech, not only because of the scope a strong tech education affords, but because tech needs women with strong capabilities. CIRCLE with its futuristic approach hosts coding boot camps for under-served populations with the goal of reaching 10,000 young people, 70% of whom will be women.

CIRCLE will host She Loves Tech's round in Pakistan in August 2017. With over 80+ applicants, the competition brings to the limelight women disrupting tech innovation in Pakistan and showcases the power of startups focusing on women’s issues. CIRCLE has also made sure that the registration process is easy for those who want to attend She Loves Tech Pakistan as guests on 19th August.

Partners include Lakson Investments and Sybrid providing financial and technical support and Express News and The Express Tribune as media partners. Supporting partners include Nest i/o, Plan 9, WeCreate, Momentum,OPEN Karachi, GDG Kolachi, Peshawar 2.0 and Tech Valley Abbottabad. The top team from Pakistan will attend a week-long boot camp, represent the country in the global finals in China and have access to top VCs and funding opportunities.

CIRCLE has touched lives, highlighted women’s potential, designed innovative ideas to social problems and lit up many hearts with hope. Nevertheless, it has a tough journey ahead since it needs to bring about widespread change in order to normalise the concept of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan. This is why every individual needs to do their part in enabling women’s ambition, for the economic progress of the nation.

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