Bangladesh Angels Launched

Bangladesh Angels, a pioneering angel investment network in the country, was inaugurated at Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden on 4th October, 2018, according to a press release.

Angel investors, venture capitalists, financiers, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders from both Bangladesh and abroad were present in the programme. HE Harry Verweij, the Ambassador-Designate of Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Kazi M Aminul Islam, Executive Director, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, delivered remarks as Special Guest and Chief Guest respectively, the press release reads.

Bangladesh Angels is targeting to play a critical role in the startup funding ecosystem by connecting angel investors who desire to make investments in early stage businesses with promising early stage entrepreneurs.

HE Harry Verweij in his opening speech said, "Unfortunately many entrepreneurs struggle to make themselves bankable because of a lack of business know-how and ability to get finance.  Organized platforms like [Bangladesh Angels] are critical in enabling wider participation of both investors and entrepreneurs to jumpstart entrepreneurial activity."

Netherlands Embassy is proud to support this initiative, which is being backed by Dutch Good Growth Fund (DGGF), the ambassador said.

Bangladesh Angels will be an independent Bangladeshi network with a separate legal entity, local team and governance structure, guided by startup investors and mentors with extensive experience building the start-up ecosystem in the country.

The governing board includes eminent stakeholders such as Minhaz Anwar (CEO, Betterstories), Samad Miraly (Cofounder, Startup Dhaka), Tina Jabeen (Investment Advisor, Startup Bangladesh, ICT Division), Sajid Rahman (CEO, Telenor Health) and Sanchayan Chakraborty (Partner, Aavishkaar).

"Investments rates in Bangladesh are increasing, and more and more international capital is finding its way to the country. But for young entrepreneurs, there still remains a critical gap in funding that traditional finance cannot meet. Angel investing therefore can be an important bridge that not only provides flexible capital but mentorship to young entrepreneurs as they establish themselves," said Kazi M Aminul Islam, Executive Chairman, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, in his closing remarks.

Prospective angel investors and entrepreneurs can go online to sign up for the network or apply for funding via www.bdangels.co , says the press release.

The network will have its first closed-door session between vetted start-ups and investors in January 2019. 

For further details, interested parties can reach Nirjhor Rahman, CEO, Bangladesh Angels via e-mail ([email protected] ) or call +8801706356116.