The Buraq Centre by Ladiesfund is a collaboration between Dawood Global Foundation (DGF), the German Consulate in Karachi and LUMS National Incubation Center (LUMS NIC), and is Pakistan.....
women entrepreneurs
Empowering female entrepreneurs, especially those in high-growth sectors, has the potential to create jobs, increase incomes, lift thousands of households out of poverty, and lead to greater economic and social transformation. This is what The Buraq Centre aims at…
The Buraq Centre by Ladiesfund is a collaboration between Dawood Global Foundation (DGF), the German Consulate in Karachi and LUMS National Incubation Center (LUMS NIC), and is Pakistan’s first all-female incubation and co-working space. It offers a world of possibilities to women entrepreneurs and innovators. It is about the energy that transforms the gender equation and opens up opportunities to empathise, ideate and create at the speed of thought. The slogan of the center is ‘Watch her fly’ and Buraq is the Islamic word for Pegasus, our version of a Unicorn.
Due to COVID-19, the center has been operating virtually. The best part is it is a platform bringing together Pakistani women, wherever they may be, around the world. Muneeb Maayr was the first speaker of this series. Maayr is the Co-Founder and former CEO of daraz.pk and current founder, Bykea, the largest network of motorbikes serving on-demand transport, logistics and payment services in Pakistan. He taught the attendees’ addressable market, product, unit economics, competitive landscape, customer acquisition etc. “It doesn't matter if you are loved. It's important to be respected,” stated Maayr. He spoke about the tough and committed decisions that needed to be made and about understanding one's personal strengths and weaknesses. “We're delighted to be able to bring such invaluable training to our members,” said Tara Uzra Dawood, President Dawood Global Foundation Ladiesfund. “Muneeb knows how to go from concept to execution, how to build solid foundations, and how to scale. He's the real deal. Our members were truly floored.”
The 90-minute exclusive session included an intense 60-minute powerpoint followed by 30 minutes of invigorating Q&A, with Maayr answering detailed questions regarding his secret sauce, first steps, how to begin with, and on his own personal goals and plans.
“The quarantine has been a bit challenging, but of course I think this is the best time to rise above our challenges and prove how powerful and strong we are, not just as women, but as human beings. I'm a participant of many global forums, but whenever I attend Ladiesfund, it is the best contribution. The empowerment I see that comes from this initiative is incredible. The change it is bringing not just to the society, but even the country, is amazing. Pakistani women are evolving,” shared Margaret Fialho.
How to build a Buraq virtual series continued on Wednesday, 12thAugust, 2020, with Sameer Chishty, Partner, SparkLabs, who talked about how to get funding for your start-up. His company has funded more than 280 businesses.
-Mubashir Ahmed
