SheLovesTech aims to empower women

The event featured women entrepreneurs and startups by women focusing on various social issues

KARACHI: Former governor of State Bank of Pakistan Dr Shamshad Akthar has said that investment in women will definitely transform the scene of productivity and active participation of women in businesses will spur the economic growth of the country.

Akhtar said that “women constitute half of the population, phenomenal changes are taken place in women workforce but the rate of women participation is pathetically low.”  She further added, “having women participate more actively in the business sector will no doubt spur economic growth because I know that the productivity of women far exceeds that of men.”

“Investment in the technology is an investment in the future of Pakistan and investment in women will definitely transform the scene of productivity in the country,” stated Shamshad Akhtar.



She appreciated innovative ideas presented by the women contesting in She Love Tech and offers her full support for women empowerment in the country.

The strong competition among the 12 startups made the task for the judges extremely hard. After much deliberation and thought, the startup DOT-mind unlocked by Yishel Khan was declared the winner of She Loves Tech 2019 Pakistan. The DOT-mind unlocked start-up won Rs. 150,000 in cash prize from Cargill and a trip to Beijing, China to compete in the Global Round for $15,000 equity-free cash prize. The first runner up, startup Pakistan Science and Space Education Centre by Zartaj Waseem won Rs.75,000 cash prize from ArbiSoft and the second runner up, startup The Madhatters by Aneeqa Ali won Rs.50,000 from Arbisoft.

“Women empowerment will make the country sustainable. I am delighted to see the talent of women here, participating startups not only giving a solution to the economic and social problems of the country but also providing employment and promoting entrepreneurship in the country. I am seeing Pakistan future great here as more and more women are coming towards technology and entrepreneurship,” said Ikram Sehgal, Chairman K-Electric appreciating ideas presented by the women at SheLovesTech

Sehgal informed the audience that seeing the potential and unbanked population in the country, 13 banks and four telcos have signed up for a project of Aasan Mobile to promote financial inclusion in Pakistan, the pilot project will be launched within two months and that Aasan Mobile will provide banking services to the masses whether they are using smartphones or the simple feature phones.



“This solution will change the landscape of ecommerce and digital payments in the country and

Pakistan has under 25% women in its workforce which makes it one of the lowest ratio in the region,

Recently, Circle established tech center at Lyari to promote tech skills in young girls wherein 20 graduating students are now working with leading tech firms in Pakistan.

Among the finalists were The Madhatters by Aneeqa Ali, Foster Ground by Sannan Khan and Her Ground by Sadaf Naz from Lahore. XYLEXA by Neda Nehal, Shahrukh Babar and Aawaz by Dr Seemab Latif from Islamabad were also part of national contenders. Sui Dhaaga by Noor Ul Ain Awan and Chakr Lodgings by Izzat Bibi also travelled to compete with other finalists. Nano Hive by Mahnoor Zafar from Peshawar also impressed the judges and made a place in the finals. EzMakaan by Marilyn Perirra, Closet by Laiba Aamir, PSSEC (Pakistan Science and Space Education Centre) by Zartaj Waseem and DOT-mind unlocked by Yishel Khan also made the competition in the room fierce.