Visa, HBL Grant $10,000 Awards to Five Women Entrepreneurs

Syed Tabish

Karachi: Global payments leader Visa and Habib Bank Limited (HBL) have announced five winners of the 2026 edition of the She’s Next program in Pakistan, awarding $10,000 grants, mentorship and business support to women-led startups aimed at accelerating female entrepreneurship and digital inclusion.

The winners were revealed at an award ceremony held at the Pearl Continental Hotel, where nearly 3,500 applicants from across the country competed for the grants.

Winners announced

The selected entrepreneurs include:
• Aiman Shafique – EV Square
• Anusha Fatima – Trashit (Sustainability Award winner)
• Fizza Hussain – Khaas Foodz Kitchen
• Maira Siddiqui – Chiragh Education Technologies
• Meesha Baig – Goud

The businesses span multiple sectors, including education technology, food services, sustainability, waste management and consumer products.

Each winner will receive a $10,000 cash grant along with tailored mentorship, expert guidance, access to training workshops and entry into the She’s Next entrepreneurial community.

Selection process

A jury evaluated candidates based on business growth, operational performance, digital presence and problem-solving capabilities.

The panel included representatives from HBL, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Visa, Carbon Law and Abhi Microfinance Bank.

Focus on digitisation and growth

Visa officials said the programme is designed to address barriers faced by women entrepreneurs and provide tools for sustainable business growth.

Leila Serhan, Visa’s Vice President and Group Country Manager for North Africa, Levant and Pakistan, said the strong response demonstrated the rising ambition of women-led businesses.

“This year we saw significant interest, with 3,500 applicants. Beyond funding, we have expanded mentorship and market exposure to help women scale their businesses,” she said.

Visa’s Women SMB Digitization Index found that 87 per cent of women-owned businesses in Pakistan report high levels of digital adoption, using technology to manage operations and reach customers.

Technology adoption rising

The survey showed women entrepreneurs increasingly integrating digital tools and artificial intelligence into their businesses.

About 49pc use natural language processing tools such as ChatGPT, while 43pc rely on data analytics and chatbots to improve efficiency and customer engagement.

Many also depend on mentors and business coaches for strategic guidance.

HBL’s role

HBL officials said expanding women’s participation in the economy remains central to the bank’s growth strategy.

Aamir Kureshi, Head of Products and Payments at HBL, said the programme offers practical financial and advisory support.

“Access to the right payment systems and financial tools is essential for sustainable growth. Through She’s Next, we aim to enable women entrepreneurs to formalise, scale and compete confidently,” he said.

Driving economic inclusion

Organisers noted that many women start businesses to achieve financial independence and create inclusive workplaces, positioning female entrepreneurship as a key contributor to Pakistan’s digital economy.

With funding, mentorship and expanded market access, the She’s Next initiative aims to help more women-led ventures transition from small enterprises to scalable businesses.