LAHORE: Visitors were intrigued by the original concepts of businesses showcased by women entrepreneurs through an innovation network ‘WIN’.

The Women Innovation Network (WIN) showcased 15 startup businesses at its incubation centre in GCU’s Bio Technology Department. WIN is an initiative by the Punjab Commission for the Status of Women (PCSW) which helps set up a network of women-centric incubators across Punjab, in line with the Punjab Growth Strategy 2018.

The aim is to facilitate, support women entrepreneurs and startups and encourage innovation and creativity.

Fauzia Viqar, chairperson of the PCSW, inaugurated the exhibition, saying it’s a grim situation for the women of the country when it comes to economic empowerment. She said women were lagging behind in every aspect of economy. For example, only 24 per cent of women are employed – mostly in low-paying jobs, while only six per cent of women run their own businesses and cannot even grow them because they have to counter all kinds of problems.

“The idea of the incubator is to improve the situation in this aspect,” she said. “Women in Pakistan, as in other developing countries, need a nurturing environment in order to flourish.”

She thanked the GCU for partnering with them and providing proper space for WIN.

“We would like to spread this idea at least at divisional level, and then at district level. Already we have very strong requests from Multan and Jhang.”

GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah said WIN’s launch in the GCU coincided with an HEC-funded incubator and said it was a stroke of luck. He said there were 4,000 girl students and so this would be an encouraging situation for them. “In today’s age self-employment is a must,” he said.

Startups that displayed their businesses included ‘The Learning Wheel’, by educationist Syeda Mahnaz Hasan who has designed a kind of a board game that lets children learn while playing. She said the game was designed for the English language at the moment, but it had the capability to cover all subjects.

Currently it is for primary, upper primary and secondary classes. It promotes teamwork and therefore builds on social skills as well.

‘The Mad Hatters’ is another startup that works on guided tours. Founded by Aneeqa Ali, this travel agency offers cultural exploration, adventure/education, leisure and recreation, and women community development among other things.

“This is the side of the country no one ever sees,” said Aneeqa. Her tours include a peek into the culture and lifestyle of the local community besides interacting with them. She said she had tour guides all over the province.

‘One Earth Toys’ was a startup where handmade Waldhorf toys and children’s products were being made, which used non toxic and environmentally friendly materials unlike the plastic toys out there.

“We have only one earth and therefore must think of the depletion of its resources and its environment,” said the CEO. “It will also develop the child’s senses.”

‘Fused’, a project by The Dreamers, used Augmented Reality which turned 2D into 3D and gave information along, making learning fun.

BiJi was a delivery service that delivered food made by home-based women workers. Essentially a lunchbox, these women did not have any way to reach their clients, while also building a community, said COO Fatima Zafar.

The most intriguing project of all however was what was probably the world’s cheapest 3D printer. The design of the product was drawn in a program called CAT software, said Kaukab Khalid, the founder. It resulted in layers upon layers of ‘printouts’ which were basically used in machine building or any other apparatus.

Maryam Mohiuddin, the WIN Manager Business, also gave a detailed presentation on different startups supported by WIN.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2018