Lieta Gelato & Sorbet, has been operational since 2018 and produces premium gelato, sorbets and related products using completely natural, chemical free and locally sourced ingredients. The company opened the entire segment of artisanal, natural ice cream in Pakistan through a purely tech-based platform. It is growing into a premium FMCG brand with an expanded product offering & nationwide presence. Presence in Lahore, Karachi & Islamabad. Strategizing entrance into 2nd tier cities in 2022.

Super Bird, is an ISO certified layer farm that has been operational since 2013. The business operates from the farm site and with a plan to expand its set up to a medium size player in the agricultural industry. The company is currently serving over 50 locations across Lahore, Sialkot, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Mirpur, Mandi Bahauddin with a diversified consumer base, which include retailers, bakeries, restaurants & hotels.

Ophth Pharma, operational since 2001, initially registered as a pharmaceutical company to manufacture ophthalmic (eye drops, eye injections and eye ointments). Later the company expanded to liquid injectable section in 2006 and a medical devices section in 2008 rendering it the 1st licensed manufacturing unit for sutures (located in Korangi Industrial Area, Karachi). The company has a commercial footprint in almost all major urban and rural areas of Sindh and Punjab. In Balochistan, it is only catering to Quetta while in KP there are 7 districts under coverage via a franchiser. Ophth Pharma also has a global presence in Afghanistan, Yemen, Mauritius, Burma, Kyrgyzstan and is planning to start business in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

BeautyHooked.com, founded by Sahr Said, is a unique and disruptive online beauty shopping experience which combines marketing with sales on a single platform for brands and for consumers. It provides authentic products and expert guidance in the form of content and consultation, on beauty and beauty shopping. Beauty Hooked is using Karandaaz funding to scale operations, expand nationally and increase brand reach.

Lightstone Publishers Pvt Ltd was established in July 2018 and is purely a Pakistani women-owned publisher. It is working to improve the standard of education in Pakistan by publishing world-class but affordable school textbooks based on the Pakistan National Curriculum. A large number of schools and tens of thousands of students are using Lightstone textbooks across the country. Karandaaz funds are supporting Lightstone in growing its business and in its quest to publish more books, improve infrastructure and recruit more staff in sales promotion, editorial and finance.

Tippitoes, under the management of Rafia Zahid, is a clothing and accessories brand, catering to infants and children, ranging from newborns to 6 year old. Eager to expand its network, Tippitoes is using Karandaaz Women Ventures’ funding to expand operations and increase the number of outlets.

Trimmers is run by Ismah Mahmood, an ex-Investment banker, and offers a full range of hair, skin and spa services with a goal to provide state-of-the-art, hygienic service in comfortable surroundings. Currently, Ismah manages 3 branches; one for women, one for men; and one for students and faculty at a leading university in Lahore. Using Karandaaz Women Ventures’ funding, Ismah hopes to expand her branch network further, and will be introducing onsite gym and café facilities.

Bear Necessities has been co-founded by Summaiya Zaidi, a lawyer by profession, who is in the process of finishing her PhD. Bear Necessities produces and retails international quality handcrafted leather goods that are simple, practical, and durable. Under Summaiya’s leadership, the company has entered the international market, and is using Karandaaz Women Ventures’ investment to strengthen production capacity in Pakistan as well as for brand promotion abroad.

Sara Salman, named after the owner, is a fashion label and a true representation of traditional Pakistani fashion mixed with contemporary cuts. Sara Salman is using Karandaaz Women Ventures’ investment to expand operations and open a new outlet in Lahore.

Nisha Beauty Salon is a full-service salon in Karachi that caters to the beauty needs of women. Named after the owner, who has extensive experience in the beauty industry, Nisha Beauty Salon has evolved into an established brand in the highly competitive mid-range beauty market in Karachi. Committed to expanding further, Nisha Beauty Salon has opened a new and larger branch in Karachi with Karandaaz Women Ventures’ support.

Sarang Sindhi Cuisine has brought the taste of Sindh to the Capital City by opening a restaurant in a commercial locality. Abida Talpur started Sarang from her own kitchen and later opened a restaurant. Committed to developing local demand for Sindhi cuisine, Sarang Sindhi Cuisine approached Karandaaz Women Ventures for growth capital. Today Sarang Sindhi Cuisine has two restaurants in Islamabad and also provides home delivery and catering services.

New Age Flour and General Mills is located in Peshawar and owned and managed by a mother daughters team; Roida Amjad and her daughters – Zarmina and Haleema. The women run the mill in a male dominated industry, operating in one of the more culturally conservative parts of Pakistan. Today New Age Flour Mill is known in the market for the quality of its product and strong business ethics. Karandaaz Women Ventures’ investment has assisted New Age Flour and General Mills for upgrading their outdated machinery, allowing it to increase production capacity and meet rising market demand.

Web Work Solution has been founded by Fatin Gondal and Adam Ghaznavi. The inspiration for starting Web Works came to them during their employment at an internet company. Today Web Works is a leading e-commerce solutions provider in the local market, and is paving the path to become a competitive international player in the web-development space. Karandaaz Women Ventures’ investment has enabled essential investment in staff capacity and certification to enter in a competitive international market for Web Works.

M-Tex an emerging name in the B2B textile design and production business is run by Samina Masood. With a vision to provide quality service in the textile multi-head embroidery sector, and to diversify the product portfolio along the value chain, Samina started this business in 2014. By pursuing her passion for textile, Samina shifted her career path drastically, having previously worked in a leading private school for 18 years. Over a short span of time, she has established M-Tex as a partner of choice for top clothing retail brands and is known for timely delivery, high quality, and excellent customer service. Karandaaz Women Ventures’ investment has supported M-Tex in the construction of its factory building, which will enable its expansion in complementing textile manufacturing services.

Lel designs custom-made high-quality furniture, using semi-precious stones and marble. Owned by a mother daughter duo; Farhana and Mehrunissa Asad; Lel works to preserve and evolve the art of handcrafted stone inlay, while giving employment opportunities to artisans displaced by conflict. With Karandaaz Women Ventures’ investment, Lel has a showroom for its designs and is in the process of constructing a new workshop. It is also working to enhance its international presence, and strengthen production.

Noha Global is the brainchild of Neelofer Kazmi who spotted a service gap during her employment with the United Nations. Noha Global is the only facility management service provider in Pakistan registered with the International Facility Management Association. Noha Global provides fully integrated waste management, HR outsourcing, and procurement services to its corporate clients. Karandaaz Women Ventures’ investment has helped Noha Global carry out the necessary capital investment to offer a full range of facility management services and to expand operations.

Kamal Impex is a trader of apparel goods, that sources clothing from SMEs and vendors, and then supplies them to leading modern trade markets, such as Hyper Star and Metro Cash and Carry. Madiha Bilal, started this business inspired by her family’s strong linkages with the textile sector in the past. Karandaaz Women Ventures’ investment has helped Kamal Impex improve its trading model focusing on efficient warehouse management and textile manufacturing (stitching units).

Saira Rizwan is an established fashion brand in Pakistan owned by the designer Saira Rizwan. It deals in high-end designer clothing and manufactures pret, formal, and bridal wear for women. Saira Rizwan has an efficient business model that keeps a close watch on evolving market trends. She is using Karandaaz Women Ventures’ investment to open a new outlet in Lahore in response to growing market demand.

Clayworks is Pakistan’s leading manufacturer of ceramic tableware, decorative items, tiles, and accessories. Owned by Mahbina Waheed, Clayworks is an established brand in the handcrafted ceramics market. It not only supplies to the local market but also has an international presence. Karandaaz Women Ventures’ investment has helped Clayworks make significant expansion in its production capacity, facilitating their ability to meet demand.

Polly and Other Stories is Pakistan’s first online store for handmade, unique products sourced directly from artisans and small businesses from across the region. Founded by the dynamic duo Amneh Sheikh Farooqi and Angie Braid, Polly & Other Stories is currently working with 65 micro businesses, 80 percent of which are owned by or employ a significant number of women. Karandaaz Women Ventures’ investment enabled the business to expand from an online operation to a brick and mortar outlet, which increased sales and provided higher brand visibility.

Aero Engine Craft is the brainchild of Dr. Sarah Qureshi and her father. Together, they designed contrail free aero-engines that induce artificial rain during aircraft flight through an on-board water recovery system from fuel emissions. The innovative and revolutionary design will not only reduce aviation induced global warming but also adopt an approach to treat fuel emissions as a resource. With Karandaaz Women Ventures’ support, Dr. Sarah aims to convert the patented technology into a full-scale commercial application ready to be used by modern civil transport aircraft.

Organic Jiyo is an exclusive online retailer for natural, organic, and health food products in Pakistan. Anoshia Naseer, the co-founder, aims is to make Organic Jiyo the largest national retailer of organic products in the country by bridging the gap between local producers and the market. Karandaaz Women Ventures’ investment has helped Organic Jiyo expand operations and increase the line of products offered online.

Zari Faisal Designs is an e-commerce based fashion and lifestyle product and content influencer platform. Zari Faisal, the founder, manufactures high-end clothing at high street prices and retails them via her website, mainly targeting millennials and upcoming Generation Z. Karandaaz Women Ventures’ investment has supported Zari Faisal Designs in scaling up operations that have brought stability to the business and strengthened brand recognition in the market.

Instant Energy provides efficient solar power systems that deliver lower levelized cost of electricity with its advanced and efficient solar technology. To offer energy efficient solutions, Instant Energy has executed multiple partnerships with the leading manufacturers of monocrystalline solar panels with an overarching aim to deliver the highest performance and consumer reliability. As of Dec 2021, the company’s aggregated installed capacity stood at 2,385 kW; equivalent to generate 3,000 metric tons of CO2 savings annually.

Axis Designs manufactures and sells high quality garments for women under the fashion label of Sonya Battla. With strict quality controls that adhere to the couture requirements of the international market, Sonya Battla specializes in formal, casual, bridal and couture garments as well as customized orders sold locally and internationally.

FKA W.Inc Events founded by Nadia Khan, a wedding and corporate events planner, is a full-service event management firm based in Lahore operating as a one-stop-shop solution for planning unique events, whether it be weddings, corporate, seminars, set designs, food and catering services, or event photography and invites/giveaways etc.

The Pinktree Company is a socially conscious business based in Karachi that strives to preserve and promote slow fashion and turn craft into high fashion for women. The brand specializes in customized luxury apparel, combining Pakistani textiles and indigenous craft. The Pink Tree’s marketing and branding campaigns are based on concepts ranging from heritage, culture, and empowering women in public spaces.

Kayal is a clothing and lifestyle store founded by Ayesha Ali. Kayal primarily works in manufacturing of handcrafted clothing and lifestyle products with high export value. Kayal brings high quality and well-designed products for the modern, socially and environmentally aware consumer. Kayal is one of the first stores to give emerging makers a mainstream platform and currently houses products from over 50 partner brands.

Mexyon Alternative Agency has been founded by Farha Shah and provides software and services solutions to salons and beauty parlors all over Pakistan enabling them to better manage their services, accounts, inventory, and human resources.

Nutrilov is a healthy foods company based in Karachi with the mission to bring healthy snacking in Pakistan. The company specializes in manufacturing, marketing, and selling Nutrilov Granola Bars and Nutrilov Crunchy Cereals, and believes in making preservative-free, natural and healthy snacks.

Classic Interiors is a furniture manufacturing company based in Lahore. The business has evolved from a small group of carpenters and artisans making exquisite furniture pieces to a one-stop design house offering complete interior solutions ranging from customized furniture to upholstery fabrics, wallpapers, accessories, cushions, bed linens etc. In addition to redecoration and renovation of homes, Classic Interiors also caters to customers requiring furniture for their executive offices, board rooms, golf clubs, restaurants and club houses.