Krafters Launches HUB App to Promote Skills, Entrepreneurship, and Inclusive Livelihoods

Krafters, a Peshawar-based social enterprise, has launched a dedicated digital platform — the HUB App — aimed at enabling individuals to explore livelihood opportunities through skills development, entrepreneurship support, and market linkages.

The launch of the HUB App marks a significant expansion of Krafters’ existing work. Since 2017, Krafters has built a strong network of over 9,000 artisans across Pakistan, nearly 80 percent of whom are women. Through the HUB App, Krafters now seeks to reach a broader audience, including aspiring entrepreneurs and home-based workers interested in learning skills and establishing sustainable income streams.

Speaking on the initiative, Zahid Ali Shah, CEO of Krafters, stated that the App has been developed with support from the Government of Pakistan under the Pakistan Innovation Fund. The platform will provide step-by-step guidance on business establishment, documentation requirements, and linkages with relevant public and private sector institutions. It will also help users access national and international markets.

The HUB App offers free-of-cost training content delivered by experienced trainers in a wide range of skills, including stitching, embroidery, cooking, baking, beautician services, designing, and knitting. In addition, the platform supports IT professionals and freelancers by providing guidance on profile development and accessing global freelancing platforms such as Fiverr, Upwork, and RemoteHub.

To further enhance market access, the App will regularly update users about exhibitions, fairs, and business events across the country, allowing entrepreneurs and artisans to showcase and sell their products and services.

A core focus of the HUB App is inclusivity. Special emphasis will be placed on supporting vulnerable and marginalized communities, including women, persons with disabilities, minorities, and transgender individuals. Users will also be able to seek additional technical support directly through the platform.

Krafters’ existing e-commerce model enables home-based workers to display and sell their products online, access raw material suppliers, and improve product quality in line with market demand. Through the HUB App, this model is being expanded to include skilled individuals from diverse sectors interested in entrepreneurship and self-employment.

As part of its financial inclusion efforts, Krafters has also partnered with JazzCash to facilitate access to digital financial services for women entrepreneurs. Through this partnership, eligible users can access small loans starting from Rs. 15,000, with plans to increase the loan size up to Rs. 50,000 in the future.

In addition, Krafters continues to provide digital capacity-building support to craftsmen and entrepreneurs, enabling them to access national and international e-commerce platforms such as Etsy, Shopify, Daraz, and Amazon.

Zahid Ali Shah further shared that a consultative workshop involving technical institutions, including SMEDA, SRSP, KPTEVTA, microfinance institutions, and chambers of commerce, will soon be organized to finalize training modules and the implementation framework for business startups through the HUB App.