Pakistani entrepreneurs continue to gain global recognition, with Suha Suleman Lalani, co-founder of PinkDetect, earning a spot on Inc. Magazine’s 2026 Female Founders 500 list.
At just 25, the Karachi-born entrepreneur has been included among 500 of the most influential women in business worldwide, alongside figures such as Serena Williams, Emma Grede, and Michelle Zatlyn.
Founded three years ago, PinkDetect leverages artificial intelligence to support early detection of breast cancer. The platform focuses on accessible, data-driven, and culturally sensitive tools aimed at underserved communities in Pakistan. It provides self-examination guidance, educational materials, a personal dashboard, and a feature that helps users locate nearby clinics, helping women access care more easily.
Lalani’s inspiration for the initiative began while she was studying biomedical sciences in Canada. During her time researching cancer biology in a university dorm, she encountered the widespread problem of late-stage breast cancer diagnoses in developing countries such as Pakistan. Her personal connection to the disease further motivated her.
Together with a classmate, she developed a breast self-examination simulation, which later evolved into the foundation of PinkDetect.
“Breast cancer outcomes should not depend on where a woman lives or what resources she has access to,” states Lalani.
“In Pakistan, delayed diagnosis continues to drive unnecessary mortality, and that is a solvable problem. PinkDetect was created to help close this gap and bring earlier, more accessible detection to communities that have historically been underserved. When we make early detection more equitable, we change outcomes, families and futures.”
Lalani is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at Harvard University after completing a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences at Toronto Metropolitan University. She previously worked as a Generative AI Specialist at Microsoft, focusing on healthcare and life sciences.
“From the beginning, our team believed that PinkDetect had to be more than just an app. As a co-founder and CEO, I have focused on ensuring that everything we build is grounded in evidence, equity, and real community need, so that our work translates into meaningful impact,” co-founder and CEO Solmaz Ebrahmi-Iranpour states.
“This means designing systems that empower women with practical tools, measurable outcomes, and access to care that feels safe and culturally respectful. This recognition reflects the strength of our shared vision and the collective effort behind PinkDetect’s growth, from early dorm room prototypes with Suha and grassroots workshops to a tech-driven platform reaching women across borders. I am incredibly proud of how far we have come and of the trust women have placed in us to help them take control of their breast health.”
The recognition from Inc. highlights how founders with Pakistani roots are contributing to global health innovation, demonstrating that purpose-driven social enterprises can achieve international impact and recognition.
