CaterpillHERs

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About Us

Our story started in 2019 and still continues with the mission to empower women in emerging countries and globally for gender equality.

Our Ever Growing Community of Alumni

CaterpillHERs’ Story of Metamorphosis

2019

The Birth

In 2019, Hira Saeed founded CaterpillHERs to empower women entrepreneurs in Pakistan, especially in rural areas. Despite the global trend of women-led social enterprises, such programs were lacking in Pakistan. Hira’s vision for equity led to a pilot bootcamp combining online and onsite sessions. Her efforts soon landed us a small round of with funding from the U.S. Department of State.

2019

2020

One Step Back, Three Steps Ahead

In 2020, CaterpillHERs grew despite challenges, committed to serving underserved women. We introduced multiple programs featuring 1:1 high-touch mentorship, pairing local entrepreneurs with international mentors from Silicon Valley. Partnering with Miller Center, we launched a social entrepreneurship program, bringing the Global Social Benefit Institute to Pakistan and offering immersive mentorship to empower women in building successful social enterprises.

2020

2021

Expanded Leadership

In 2021, Faiza Yousuf joined CaterpillHERs, bringing her experience from WomenInTechPK and CodeGirls. Her expertise complemented Hira’s, opening new avenues for us. We launched career accelerators alongside our entrepreneurship programs, aiming to help women start careers, work remotely, and achieve financial independence.

2021

2022

Making Headlines

In 2022, CaterpillHERs achieved a historic partnership with Upwork, enhancing our Freelance Track participants’ opportunities. We also launched Pakistan’s first Product Management Accelerator, which saw immediate success, boosting many women’s careers. Our contributions to women’s empowerment earned recognition locally and internationally, including our founders being finalists for the Aurora Tech Award.

2022

2023

We saw the Emergence of a Butterfly

In 2023, CaterpillHERs signed multiple partnerships and brought new programs like the Greater Good and Skills to Income Accelerator Programs, aimed at helping women in smaller cities and climate-affected areas. These subsidized programs focused on reducing poverty and fostering sustainable growth. With numerous awards and media mentions, our team became industry experts, partnering with organizations to offer DEI consultations and high-end content for employee training.

2023

2024

The Flight (and Fight) Continues…

Today, we have a team of hand-picked individuals who are empathetic, smart, and dedicated to bringing about a change in the world. 

We are always on the same page except when it comes to selecting a beverage – we can never agree on one. 

Coffee or lemonade? We always have a variety on the table. 

2024

Media Mentions

From our partners

CaterpillHERs offered their expertise in developing a comprehensive course on (Introduction to Data Literacy).

Kathryn Shah

Katie Shah

Program Officer
Community Solutions Program
IREX

Draper University is proud to have partnered with CaterpillHERs to support entrepreneurship among women in Pakistan. CaterpillHERs’ commitment to fostering innovation and development is truly inspiring, and we are excited to continue supporting their mission to uplift women in the entrepreneurial ecosystem

Khadija Ghazi

Khadija Ghazi

VP of Innovation and Development
Draper University

CaterpillHERs’ collaboration with Atlas Corps on the Pakistan Emerging Leaders Initiative in 2023 has been nothing short of exceptional. CaterpillHERs’ professionalism, expertise, and genuine passion for women’s leadership left a lasting impact on young leaders engaged in their activities, and we look forward to continuing our partnership in the future
Corinna

Dr. Corinna Hoerst

Acting CEO, Atlas Corps