In the past decade, Pakistan has seen a surge of strong and determined women who are making their mark in the entrepreneurial landscape. Today, it isn’t just a man’s game anymore. Women are stepping up, breaking barriers and proving that they are just as capable, if not more.
These resolute women have not only built successful businesses but have also inspired countless others to pursue their dreams. In this article, we celebrate five remarkable female entrepreneurs in Pakistan, highlighting their achievements and impact on our society.
Aleena Nadeem
Aleena Nadeem is the founder and CEO of EduFi, a Lahore-based company with the motto “Study Now, Pay Later,” helping students overcome financial barriers to higher education. It empowers Pakistani students by financing their higher education, with Forbes recognising Nadeem on their 30 under 30 list in 2024. An MIT graduate, Aleena previously worked with Goldman Sachs and Ventura Capital before launching EduFi.
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Her idea was simple yet powerful—many families live pay cheque to pay cheque and struggle with lump-sum tuition fees. By introducing monthly payment plans, EduFi has made education more accessible. Partnering with 27 Pakistani colleges (a number that is doubling moving on), Aleena’s startup directly pays tuition for approved students. These students then repay the loan in instalments while they study.
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Her contributions to the entrepreneurial community have earned her a spot as a judge on Shark Tank Pakistan, where she continues to inspire entrepreneurs.
Jehan Ara
Jehan Ara is a name synonymous with Pakistan’s tech revolution. She has made a massive impact as the former president of P@SHA and the founder of The Nest I/O, a startup incubator that has changed the game for many entrepreneurs. Ara later resigned at the end of April 2021 from P@SHA to start Katalyst Labs, a startup accelerator and women’s leadership programme.
Jehan’s passion for innovation and digital literacy is quite literally contagious. She’s fought for better policies, pushed for more inclusivity in tech and mentored young minds who are now running successful businesses. She’s living proof that real leaders don’t just climb the ladder—they bring others up with them.
In 2016, President Barak Obama invited Ara to speak at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. In 2023, she was awarded the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz by the President of Pakistan.
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Sidra Qasim
Sidra Qasim’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. She first co-founded Markhor with her husband, a start-up which focused on sustaining the craft of handmade leather shoes in Pakistan. What made her business stand out was that she worked closely with their artisans to produce shoes that looked good and also felt good. Roughly a year into their start-up journey with Markhor, things began looking up for them.
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Building upon their initial success, Qasim relocated to the United States and co-founded Atoms, a direct-to-consumer shoe startup renowned for its innovative approach. Atom offers shoes in quarter sizes and allows customers to mix and match sizes for each foot, catering to the masses. This unique concept collected significant attention, leading to funding in millions from many investors.
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From starting small in Okra to making it to Silicon Valley and its prestigious Y Combinator, Sidra’s perseverance led her startup to become the first Pakistani startup to be accepted into Y Combinator. Through her work, she has proven that businesses thrive when they have a heart.
Kalsoom Lakhani
Kalsoom Lakhani is a name every eager entrepreneur in Pakistan looks up to. She is the founder of Invest2Innovate (i2i), an organisation dedicated to supporting startups and creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the upcoming markets.
Since its start, i2i has trained and mentored many Pakistani startups, helping them secure funding and scale their businesses. Kalsoom’s deep understanding of business growth, along with her ability to identify and help real talent, has made her an influential figure in Pakistan’s entrepreneurial community.
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She has a superpower: spotting potential where others don’t. She doesn’t just talk about entrepreneurship; she has helped build environments where startups can actually thrive. If there’s one person who has shaped Pakistan’s startup culture, it’s Kalsoom!
Roshaneh Zafar
Roshaneh Zafar is a true changemaker. She founded Kashf Foundation, one of Pakistan’s most impactful microfinance institutions, with one goal: empowering women financially. Roshaneh has dedicated her career to uplifting women from underprivileged backgrounds by providing them with financial independence.
Thanks to her, thousands of women have started their own businesses, gained financial independence and changed their lives. But she didn’t stop just at loans; Roshaneh introduced financial literacy programmes, business training and even insurance solutions for women.
Her work has been recognised internationally, proving that social entrepreneurship is just as powerful as any other form of business.
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A Future Led by Female Entrepreneurs in Pakistan
These women aren’t just entrepreneurs; they’re influential changemakers and mentors. Aleena, Jehan Ara, Sidra, Kalsoom and Roshaneh are just a few female entrepreneurs in Pakistan who have shown that success isn’t just about making profits; it’s about making a difference.
Pakistan’s entrepreneurial community is evolving, with women leading the way. For anyone out there dreaming big, these stories are proof that with passion and a little bit of courage, anything is possible.
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