KARACHI: Standard Chartered Bank, in partnership with INNOVentures Global, announced the winners of its sixth Women in Tech (WiT) cohort in Pakistan. The programme supports women-led tech ventures through training, mentoring and funding. Since its 2019 launch, WiT has graduated 145 businesses, awarding seed funding to 33.

This year’s programme received over 1,900 applications from more than 103 cities. Following a redesign focused on improving access to capital, 10 finalists received validation grants of Rs1 million each. Based on performance, three top startups will receive scaling grants: Rs5 million for first place, Rs3.5 million for second, and Rs2 million for third.

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of this year’s Women in Tech graduates,” said Chief Executive Officer & Head of Coverage, Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan Rehan Shaikh. “This programme is a reflection of our continued commitment to creating pathways for women to access sustainable funding and scale their businesses.”

The 10 finalists represented diverse sectors, including AI, health tech, food, and e-commerce. Among them were Deutics Global, an AI-powered video management solutions provider; Fortify, a SaaS-based ERP solution for the real estate industry; Grannis Kitchen, an online spice and oats business; Kangaroocare, a medical equipment manufacturer for newborns; QUICK UP, an on-demand delivery service; TB AI, an AI digital lab for infectious disease diagnosis; TheePO, a B2B e-procurement marketplace; YayyCheese, an artisanal cheese company; Relife, a sustainable products startup; and TechnoKnowledge, an edtech company focused on early childhood computer learning.