The startup ecosystem in Bangladesh is still in its infancy, although there has been considerable growth in venture capital and angel investment activity in recent years. Venture capital and angel investors are increasingly playing a critical role in the growth and development of Bangladeshi enterprises. With the expansion of the economy, an increasing number of entrepreneurs are seeking venture capital and angel investors to finance their firms. These investors not only provide financial assistance to entrepreneurs but also provide strategic advice and coaching that is critical to their success. With their assistance, entrepreneurs are encouraged to take risks and launch innovative products that would otherwise be challenging, producing wealth and stimulating creativity in the country. In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of Venture Capital Firms and Angel Investors in Bangladesh that can help you spur growth in your company!
🚀 Check the full list of startup accelerators in Bangladesh
Topics Covered:
Why Should You Raise Funds in Bangladesh
Venture Capitalist Funds in Bangladesh
Angel Investors in Bangladesh
Why Should You Raise Funds in Bangladesh?
There are several reasons why startups may want to consider raising funds in Bangladesh:
Growing Economy with a Large and Dynamic Population: With a population of over 165 million people, Bangladesh is a significant market for startups to target. The population comprises of a growing middle and affluent class population, estimated to reach 35 million by 2025 (larger than the population of Malaysia). In turn, the country's economy has been growing steadily in recent years, with a GDP growth from 3.4% in 2020, 6.9% in 2021, to 7.2% in 2022. This growth has created a favorable environment for startups, with many opportunities for investment and support.
Supportive Government Policies: The Bangladeshi government has put forward policies that encourage the growth of the country's startup ecosystem. With clearer and friendlier regulations and requirements, these initiatives have made starting and operating startups smoother in the country, and easier for foreign investors to participate in the market. These include a proposed reduction in turnover tax for startups from 0.6% to 0.1%, exemption from reporting other than income tax returns, listing of startups in stock exchanges, and so on.
Increased Public and Private Interest in Fostering the Startup Landscape: Bangladesh is on the path to a digitally inclusive future. This impetus has been boosted by private sector enthusiasm, which has shown itself in the form of several accelerator and incubator programs for entrepreneurs; making it easier for entrepreneurs to obtain startup development assistance and access to networks and financial resources.
Venture Capitalist Funds in Bangladesh
The venture capitalist funds below are actively looking for investment opportunities in diverse sectors and at different stages. The stages stated do not limit the possibility of getting funding if your company is at any stage other than what is listed.
Type: VC
Year of Inception: 2013
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C
Focus: IT and ITES Fintech, AI and Machine Learning, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality, Blockchain, Big Data, and Data Analysis, Agritech, Biotech and Food Processing, Health, Edutech
Notable Portfolio: Adeffi Limited, Tech Stone, AALO, Inventus Limited
Bangladesh Venture Capital provides not only investments but also support in leadership to promote company success. BVCL provides assistance in the full company development journey, from business concept generation to strategic direction, team building, market research, and more. They dedicate their resources to improving the creativity, innovation, and performance of young entrepreneurs and startup teams, with a service-oriented attitude toward every investment and partner.
Type: VC
Year of Inception: 2017
Stage: Seed, Series A
Focus: Health Services, Agriculture and Land Digitization Services, Technology, Service Tech: Legal, Education, Financial, System Integration, Communication, General Services, E-Commerce and Transactions, Lifestyle and Entertainment
Notable Portfolio: SHAJGOJ, Dmoney, Jatri, Praava, SOLShare, Dana
SBK Tech Ventures is focused on startups that promote digital growth in rural domains, delivering solutions to improve lives and bring forth social and economical changes at scale. They use new technology to accelerate market acceptance of in-demand services, bringing foreign technological know-how and talents to educate local teams and provide them with a distinct competitive advantage.
Type: VC
Year of Inception: 2016
Stage: Seed, Series A
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Notable Portfolio: Socian, E-Desh
Maslin Capital is dedicated to assisting innovative creators in the early phases of company establishment and growth. They provide deep industry specialization and focused operational assistance and work closely with businesses to define and implement high-impact growth initiatives to generate long-term value.
Type: VC
Year of Inception: 2021
Stage: Seed, Series A
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Notable Portfolio: Priyoshop
To bridge the gap between Bangladesh and first-world nations, Flaghship provides fast-growth investment opportunities as well as tremendous resources and a strong network in the local ecosystem to promote startup growth. Their investment and operational specialists will actively engage and collaborate with the management of portfolio firms to find innovative solutions to society's most challenging problems.
Type: VC
Year of Inception: 2019
Stage: Seed, Series A, Series B
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Notable Portfolio: Agroshift, Alice Labs, HypeScout, Loop Freight, Shikho
Anchorless Bangladesh is an early-stage venture capital firm that aims to activate opportunities across the country and maximize social impact. To help the most promising founders to progress forward, they provide mentorship and assistance that will provide startups with deeper technical insights and access to wide networks.
Type: VC
Year of Inception: 2020
Stage: Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C
Focus: Fintech/Financial Services, Healthtech/ Healthcare, Enterprise Solutions/ Software, Entertainment & Lifestyle, E-commerce/Retail, Frontier Technology, Core Technologies/AI/Deep Tech, EdTech/Education, Food and Agritech/Agriculture, IoT Logistics/Mobility, Emerging Technology, Related Services
Notable Portfolio: Loop, Pickaboo, ShareTrip, Vroom, Frontier Nutrition, EduHive
Startup Bangladesh is the flagship government venture capital fund from Bangladesh. The fund invests in early to growth-stage firms and offers additional in-kind support to encourage technological advances and startup development. Ultimately, Startup Bangladesh's goal is to foster technology-based innovation, build an entrepreneurial culture, promote under-represented tech groups, develop technical skills, and attract foreign investment and expertise of Bangladeshi startups.
Type: VC
Year of Inception: 2020
Stage: Series A
Focus: Sector Agnostic, Technology
Notable Portfolio: Truck Lagbe, iFarmer, Chaldal
IDLC Venture Capital Fund is a Bangladesh-focused VC that invests in early to mid-stage innovative startups. The fund has a BDT 450 million capitalization, with typical ticket sizes ranging from BDT 10 million to BDT 40 million. As a well-established brand, IDLC has a huge infrastructure and network of retail and corporate clients, as well as ties with banks and NBFIs that provide value to portfolio firms.
Type: VC
Year of Inception: 2012
Stage: Series A, Series B, Series C
Focus: Light Engineering, Education, Food Processing, Agri Tech, Health Services, Tourism, Renewable Energy
Notable Portfolio: HandyMama, cWork, EON Group, Doctorola
BD Venture is a technology-focused venture capital firm that supports and invests in creative entrepreneurs making positive changes in people's lives. As their portfolio firm, they will provide assistance, resources, and guidance to help you build and grow your firm.
Angel Investors in Bangladesh
The Angel investors listed below are part of and represented by an Angel group or are active in Angel Platforms. As individual Angel Investors are hard to come by, these platforms are the best place to secure Angel financing.
Type: Angel Network
Stage: Pre Seed, Seed, Series A
Focus: Sector Agnostic
The Bangladesh Women Investors' Network (BWIN) is a sister chapter of the Bangladesh Angels Network (BAN), founded as the country's first network of female business angels. Recognizing the gap in the venture capital market targeting women-owned businesses, the Bangladesh Women Investors' Network was formed to promote early-stage financing to women-led and women-focused enterprises. In addition to funding, the network will provide its portfolio firms with high-quality mentoring, access to networks, and strategic support.
Type: Angel Network
Stage: Seed, Series A
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Bangladesh Angels is the country's first and biggest angel investment network, established with the goal of nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship in Bangladesh. With decades of expertise, they assist startups and emerging businesses in accessing local and worldwide investments and speeding up their growth. The network facilitates a variety of activities that provide financial and strategic assistance to startups, including personalized pre-investment assistance prior to pitching to investors and exclusive mentoring for market expansion.
Closing Thoughts on VCs and Angel Investors in Bangladesh
The country's growing economy, young population, and developing technological infrastructure are making investments in the Bangladeshi market more appealing to venture capital firms and angel investors. Realizing the potential of this expanding market, angel investors and venture capitalists continue playing an active role in establishing a vibrant and supportive environment for startups, which can contribute to the country's rapid economic development. With the growth of innovative firms and increased investor interest, the future looks bright for the startup ecosystem in Bangladesh.
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