# Katalyst Labs

> Katalyst Labs is a Karachi-based startup accelerator and innovation hub founded by Jehan Ara in 2021. It offers startup mentoring, women’s leadership programmes, corporate training, founder conferences and workspace, with partners including HBL and Visa.

- **Founded:** 2021
- **Headquarters:** Karachi, Pakistan
- **Founders:** Jehan Ara (Founder & CEO)
- **Products:** Acceleration Program, Women Leadership Fellows Program, She’s Next Pakistan mentorship, She’s Next Club, Women’s Professional Development Program
- **Notable:** Launched with HBL support in May 2021., Its current programme page reports 30+ startups graduated across three cohorts, with almost 20% reaching their fundraising goals; these are company-reported figures., Chiragh, a second-cohort graduate, won $10,000 in equity-free funding at ICESCO’s 2022 A-Hub global final.

## Products & services

- **Acceleration Program** — Mentor-led support for Pakistan-based startups with early traction and revenue; advertised duration is 3-6 months, with no joining fee.
- **Women Leadership Fellows Program** — Leadership and goal development for women professionals and entrepreneurs; advertised duration 3-4 months, mostly virtual.
- **She’s Next Pakistan mentorship** — Execution, applicant outreach, pitch preparation and mentoring for the Visa and HBL women-owned business competition.
- **She’s Next Club** — Six-week coaching programme offering continued business support for women founders.
- **Women’s Professional Development Program** — Custom workshops, mentorship and networking for women employees of client organizations.
- **+92Disrupt** — Entrepreneurship and technology conference bringing founders, professionals and investors together.
- **Karachi Slush’D** — Local founder event in the Slush ecosystem with talks, demonstrations and networking.
- **AKEPB Startup Program** — Month-long programme with weekly training and a concluding pitch competition for aspiring entrepreneurs aged 16-35.
- **Co-working and event space** — Karachi workspace and event-space booking offered through the company website.

## Achievements

- Launched with HBL support in May 2021.
- Its current programme page reports 30+ startups graduated across three cohorts, with almost 20% reaching their fundraising goals; these are company-reported figures.
- Chiragh, a second-cohort graduate, won $10,000 in equity-free funding at ICESCO’s 2022 A-Hub global final.
- HBL’s 2022 sustainability report records 60+ women fellowship graduates across three cohorts.

## Latest updates

- **2026-02** — Visa and HBL announced five She’s Next Pakistan winners, each receiving a $10,000 grant; partner Jack of Digital later documented mentoring at Katalyst for these winners.
- **2025-12** — Pakistan Single Window’s quarterly newsletter featured Jehan Ara in its Trade Talks podcast on innovation and startups.
- **2025-03** — Karachi Slush’D’s 2025 programme promoted the Builder’s Generation theme for its third year.

## Links

- Website: https://katalystlabs.pk/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/katalyst-labs-pk/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/LabsKatalyst
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@katalyst_labs
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katalyst_labs/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katalystlabspk

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/katalyst-labs
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-08