The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

BANGLADESH

Bangladesh

The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

ABOUTHere at The Startup Monthly, we’ve come across various guides here and there about the startup communities in different countries. But, they’ve been inconsistent, and not all countries are covered.

This guide is by no means meant to be complete and all encompassing. Consider it a starting point if you’re an entrepreneur, investor or researcher.

We plan to update these guides at least annually and welcome any suggestions or additions we should consider adding to the guide. I.e. startups, investors, community resources, etc.

Please email any suggestions or questions to editor@thesocialmediamonthly.com.

Lead Researcher: Christian Arthur Last Updated: June 30, 2016

Bangladesh

The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

INTRODUCTION

(1) (2)

Bangladesh

The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

INTRODUCTION• Government: Parliamentary Republic3

• GDP(PPP): $577.3 billion ($3,600 per capita)• Unemployment rate: 4.9% (2014)• Inflation rate: 6.4% • Population below poverty line: 31.5% (2010 est.)

• Main Industries: rice, jute, tea, garments4

Bangladesh

The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

STARTUP SCENE• Economy is growing fast, at a rate of 6%.5

• The startup ecosystem of Bangledesh is young and just beginning to take shape.

• Country has little tech infrastructure; acess to mobile and internet technology is low.

• Capital Dhaka is a hotspot for entrepreneurship and innovation within the country.

Bangladesh

The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

MOST PROMISING STARTUPS

SHAJGOJ5

• Online content platform geared towards a female audience

• 2 million page views per month a couple months after startup phase

Solaric6

• Solar energy company

• Pioneered voltage conversion tech, making solar accessible to poor

• Rapidly expanding in Bangladesh and beyond

Chaldal7

• E-commerce grocery store

• 3 warehouses, 400 products, 400 customers per day

• Rated 9th among 500 global entrepreneurs by Y Combinator

Bangladesh

The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

INVESTORS & INFLUENCERS• Bangladesh Venture Capital Limited – venture capital firm.

• Mustafizur Khan – founder and CEO of SD Asia, entrepreneurship media outlet based in Dhaka.5

• Samad Miraly – exec. director of major manufacturer Olympic Industries United and co-founder of co-working space The Wave

• Sajeed Islan – organizer of Dhaka Startup Weekend and owner of co-working space.

• Riyad S. A. Husain – CEO of a leading digital marketing agency in Bangladesh

Bangladesh

The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

COVERAGE OF STARTUPS• Startup Dhaka – 2013 documentary about Dhaka startup

scene, which catalyzed further entrepreneurship in the area. 5

• SD Asia – entrepreneurship media outlet based in Dhaka, covering Bangladesh & neighbor countries.

• Tech in Asia – “media, events, and jobs platform for Asia’s startup community.”

• Founded in Bangladesh – list of startups.

Bangladesh

The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

SUMMARY

Bangladesh

• Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, and poverty is rampant in the country.5

• Startup ecosystem is just sprouting, and much of the country is an untapped market. Other assets include:

• 60% of the population is younger than 30 years old.

• Massive diaspora throughout region, and hundreds of millions of Bangla speakers elsewhere on the Asian continent.

• Markets will soon change as companies like Grameenphone close digital divide.

The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

SOURCES• Background Image:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahrain#/media/File:Manama,_Bahrain_Decembre_2014.jpg

• (1) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bangladesh_(orthographic_projection).svg

• (2)• https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bg-map.png

Bangladesh

The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

SOURCES• (3) • "The World Factbook: Bangladesh." Central Intelligence Agency. Central

Intelligence Agency, 15 June 2016. Web. 28 June 2016. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bg.html>.

• (4)• Tinker, Hugh Russell. "Bangladesh - Economy." Encyclopedia Britannica

Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 June 2016. Web. 28 June 2016. <https://www.britannica.com/place/Bangladesh/Economy>.

• (5) • "Bangladesh Startup Scene." Innovation Is Everywhere. N.p., n.d. Web.

28 June 2016. <http://www.innovationiseverywhere.com/bangladesh-startup-scene/>.

Bangladesh

The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

SOURCES• (6)• SD Asia Desk. "The 7 Rising Tech Startup CEOs in Bangladesh." SD Asia

Desk. N.p., 27 Jan. 2015. Web. 30 June 2016. <https://sdasia.co/2015/01/27/the-7-rising-tech-startup-ceos-in-bangladesh/>.

• (7) • "Chaldal Ranks 9th on Y Combinator Survey | Dhaka Tribune." Chaldal Ranks 9th

on Y Combinator Survey. Dhaka Tribune, 3 Jan. 2016. Web. 30 June 2016. <http://www.dhakatribune.com/shopping/2016/jan/03/chaldal-ranks-9th-y-combinator-survey>.

Bangladesh