In a strategic collaboration between the Sindh Higher Education Commission (Sindh HEC) and the Shahjehan Syed Karim Incubation Center (SSKIC) at the Institute of Business Management (IoBM), the SheLeads Women Founders Bootcamp 2025 was organized, marking a significant milestone in empowering women entrepreneurs across Sindh. The event was held on Monday, October 06, 2025.
Building on the pilot initiative launched in 2024, this year’s expanded bootcamp—supported by Sindh HEC—reached 64 public and private universities across the province. The program specifically targeted women founders with validated prototypes, offering them an opportunity to strengthen and scale their business ideas through an immersive, hands-on learning experience.
The key learning themes of the event focused on developing essential leadership and business competencies for today’s dynamic environment. Participants explored how to lead with agility, resilience, and purpose, enabling them to adapt effectively in times of change. They also learned to recognize opportunities and build strategic networks that drive collaboration and growth. The sessions emphasized the importance of designing, testing, and validating business models to ensure long-term viability, while highlighting ways to leverage AI and digital innovation for accelerated progress. Additionally, the event underscored the need to apply proven strategies for sustainable scaling, ensuring that growth remains responsible, resilient, and future-ready.
As many as 28 women founders from leading institutions, including Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto University of Law, Jinnah University for Women, NED University, Iqra University, Sindh Madressatul Islam University, Ziauddin University, and Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, participated in the bootcamp. The sessions were led by Ms. Ziana Sakhia, CEO of Bechlo.pk and IoBM alumnus, and Mr. Raza Abbas, Head of SSKIC-IoBM and Head of the UNESCO EE-Net Pakistan Chapter.
The bootcamp concluded with a certificate ceremony graced by Ms. Memona Shah, Director of Academics at Sindh HEC, as the Guest of Honor. She commended the participants’ innovation and commitment, emphasizing Sindh HEC’s dedication to fostering women’s entrepreneurship. Present at the closing ceremony were Dr. Imran Batada (Chief Digital Officer and Director CIT, IoBM) and Mr. Saleemuddin (Director of Quality Assurance, HEC), who also delivered the vote of thanks.
The bootcamp received an overwhelming response, with participants demonstrating passion for building innovative and sustainable ventures. Top-performing founders will now be shortlisted for SSKIC’s Cohort 5 Incubation Program, leading to a final pitching round in December 2025. The SheLeads initiative reflects Sindh HEC and IoBM’s shared commitment to advancing United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—notably SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)—by equipping women with entrepreneurial, financial, and innovation-driven skills.
Through initiatives like SheLeads, IoBM continues to champion women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship, nurturing the next generation of impactful women leaders and changemakers across Pakistan.