By Rafiq Vayani
DUBAI: The Buraq Center by LADIESFUND is a collaboration between Dawood Global Foundation, the German Consulate in Karachi and LUMS National Incubation Center (LUMS NIC), offers a world of possibilities to women entrepreneurs and innovators. Inspired by the winged horse that transported the Prophet to the seven skies, The Buraq Centre is about 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 the logo is that of a magenta pink pegasus.
“It is humbling to launch today Pakistan’s first all-female incubation center, something so needed for our nation,” stated Tara Uzra Dawood, President, Dawood Global Foundation and LADIESFUND, addressing a crowd of VIPs and more than 400 women entrepreneurs or budding entrepreneurs. “Women need a safe and culturally comfortable community space that celebrates and supports their dreams, while providing solid training and scaleable techniques, all the while recognizing the pure Islamic legacy of women entrepreneurship dating back to Hazrat Khadija. We strive to create women-led unicorns for Pakistan, or in the name of our center, buraqs for our country.”
“Congratulations,” stated Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, “This Center adds value to Sindh.”
The Buraq Center was designed by Sanki King, who has also made a stunning giant graffitti art magenta pink pegasus for the center, which was unveiled at the opening by the Governor.
The German Cooperation supported the scaling and creation of the center and Guest of Honour at the launch was German Consul General Eugen Wollfarth, who has been a great supporter of LADIESFUND. LADIESFUND has sponsored the international fellowships of 8 girls for travel to study in Germany.
Mr. Wollfarth addressed the jam-packed audience, giving much support.
The Buraq Center will be shortlisting and selecting its first 10 incubatees by end of March. Each incubatee will be trained by a curriculum provided by NIC Lahore and certified by NIC Lahore, along with Dawood Global Foundation. Applications are now open. NIC Lahore Director Faisal Sherjan flew in for the event and addressed the audience.
The women’s co-working space is also accepting applications from interested female led start-ups, who want to be part of a community space just for women in business.
The evening was compered by Moneeza Butt, with National Anthem performed by Nabila Bano, and a special recitation of the Prophet’s flight from the Quran by Hira Naz Imtiaz. Tours of the space were given, showcasing the bold, pink look that was both feminine and powerful, featuring wired incubatee desks, networking tables, soundproofed interviewing space and pink bean bags. The center is looking for a collaborator for a meeting room.
Spotted at the event which had a few hundred guests were Idris Kothari, Khalid Mirza, Ameena Saiyid, Senator Nasreen Jalil, Nazneen Tariq Khan, Moidul & Seema Hassan, Fazal Dadabhoy, and various diplomats. Sponsors: Yasmeen Dadabhoy, Sam’s Cake Factory, Hunarmaand Karachi by Momal Adnan, Mezan Tea, Nestle Pakistan, Cups ‘n Cakes, HomeMade Wholesome, The Saucy Mistress, Saffron n Spice, Maccarron, Moments by Shugufa, Heavenly Regalia by Nazneen Tariq Khan, Madiha Sikander Illustrations, Club Havana, Meem Wear Your Culture by Madiha Altaf, I. F. Fashions, Scentsation, Mandalay International, and Furqan’s Salon.
