The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad has awarded $20,000 in seed funding to participants of its Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program to boost women-led businesses in Pakistan, the embassy announced on August 27.
The winners, chosen through a competitive pitch event, will use the grants to scale innovative ventures across the country.
Top 3 Winners of Academy for Women Entrepreneurs
The top three entrepreneurs receiving grants are:
- Iman Khan (Peshawar): Founder of Gricks International, Iman is transforming plastic waste into building materials. Her company repurposes plastic bottles into bricks to rebuild homes in flood-impacted areas, simultaneously addressing environmental concerns and housing needs.
- Alishba Sajid (Rawalpindi): Alishba’s company, “Cardana Utensils”, focuses on sustainability by creating biodegradable plates and utensils, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional disposables.
- Sahar Munir (Quetta): Sahar’s delivery app, “QuickUp,” provides fair and affordable delivery services tailored specifically for women-led businesses in Balochistan, helping to empower female entrepreneurs in the region.
Reflecting on her victory, Iman Khan shared, “Winning this competition reaffirms that when we align our passion with purpose, incredible things happen. This award isn’t just a recognition of my efforts but a testament to the countless hours of hard work.”
Iman further elaborated on her Gricks journey, saying, “The alarming plastic pollution crisis, combined with housing shortages in Pakistan, especially in flood-affected areas, inspired me to think outside the box. I envisioned a future where discarded plastic bottles could be repurposed to create something meaningful, something life-changing.”
Honorable mentions:
The U.S. Embassy also recognized two additional participants with honorable mentions:
- Sana Rehman (Quetta): Her physiotherapy clinic in Khanozai is filling a crucial gap in Balochistan’s healthcare services, offering much-needed care to underserved communities.
- Zarmina Sanam (Lahore): Zarmina’s educational venture, Skill2Success, offers hands-on learning in robotics, coding, and Artificial Intelligence to students aged 5-18, preparing the next generation for a tech-driven future.
This year’s AWE program, designed to empower women with the knowledge, networks, and resources necessary for entrepreneurial success, saw 100 women participate in a three-month online course by the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University. The participants also benefited from mentorship by established Pakistani businesswomen and built strong support networks with fellow entrepreneurs.
As the U.S. Embassy continues to encourage entrepreneurship among women in Pakistan, future opportunities to join the AWE program will be announced on the Lincoln Corners Facebook page.