Islamabad (Zahid Yaqoob Khawaja): Reinforcing its position as a leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Pakistan’s leading digital microfinance bank, Mobilink Bank has successfully graduated 18 women-led startups under its Women Inspirational Network (WIN) Incubator Program, an industry-first initiative designed to unlock the economic potential of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan.

The graduation ceremony, held in Islamabad, was attended by Ms. Wajiha Qamar, Minister of State for Federal Education & Professional Training, as the Chief Guest, alongside key stakeholders from the public and private sectors.

The WIN program equipped participants with practical skills in digital entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and business scaling, enabling them to build resilient, future-ready enterprises. The ceremony concluded with awards recognizing high-impact ventures emerging from the cohort.

Green Plastics secured the Best Startup Award and received PKR 1 million in seed funding for its innovative solution converting potato peels into recyclable bags. Ecogen and EcoFlow were named winners of the Innovation Challenge, each receiving PKR 500,000 in seed funding for their impactful work in food waste management and affordable sanitary solutions for underserved communities.

With a total of 31 startups now graduated, Mobilink Bank continues to set the benchmark for enabling women-led businesses through structured incubation, mentorship, and access to financial and digital ecosystems.

Speaking at the occasion, Ms. Wajiha Qamar, Minister of State for Federal Education & Professional Training said that, “The graduation of 18 women-led startups under Mobilink Bank’s WIN Incubator is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of investing in women’s potential. Initiatives like this not only equip women with essential entrepreneurial and digital skills but also pave the way for a more inclusive and resilient economy. It is encouraging to see these ventures addressing critical challenges such as sustainability and social equity. Continued collaboration between the public and private sectors will be key to expanding such opportunities and enabling more women across Pakistan to become drivers of innovation and economic growth.”

Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, President & CEO, Mobilink Bank, remarked that, “At Mobilink Bank, we are moving beyond access to impact. The WIN Incubator is unlocking a new generation of women entrepreneurs who are not just participating in the economy but leading it. Their success is building a more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready Pakistan.”

The graduating cohort demonstrated a strong focus on sustainability and social impact, with ventures addressing pressing challenges such as plastic waste, food waste, and period poverty, highlighting the growing role of women entrepreneurs in driving climate-conscious and socially responsible innovation. This also comes in line with the Bank’s ESG policy, which is strongly embedded into its core operations.

Mobilink Bank’s continued investment in initiatives like WIN underscores its commitment to building a more inclusive, innovative, and resilient economic future, where women are not just participants, but leaders of change.