DeafTawk, a pioneering Pakistani startup committed to improving the lives of the deaf community, Sightsavers, an international organization dedicated to preventing avoidable blindness and promoting disability inclusion welcomed the second cohort for Innovation Challenge Futuremakers (ICF) program. As part of this welcome session, an orientation session was held where the startups were introduced to the ICF program through various icebreaker activities.
After a rigorous evaluation process involving a review of more than 173 applications and interviews conducted by industry specialists and mentors, a total of 8 exceptional startups have been chosen as part of the second cohort. These startups, hailing from diverse regions of Pakistan, showcase a wide range of innovative solutions poised to make a significant impact in various domains.
Ali Shabbar, the CEO of DeafTawk, expressed his heartfelt appreciation, saying, “Following the remarkable success of our inaugural cohort, we were eagerly anticipating the second one. I extend my sincere gratitude to all the startups that have applied for this acceleration program and to our invaluable partners for their unwavering support. Through the ICF program, our aim is to equip these exceptionally talented startups with the essential skills they need to not only accelerate the growth of their ventures but also to harness their innovative ideas in ways that benefit individuals with disabilities.”
Munazza Gillani, the Country Director of Sightsavers Pakistan Office, enthusiastically shared her insights on the program, stating, “The Innovation Challenge Futuremakers program is playing a pivotal role in supporting entrepreneurs with disabilities as they embark on their journey towards establishing successful startups. It’s particularly heartening to witness a significant number of women-led startups stepping up through this program. I extend my best wishes to each and every startup as they embark on this exciting acceleration phase, and I’m confident in their potential for remarkable success.”
