9th Brac Bank-The Daily Star Ict Awards

Bangladesh has made great strides in the ICT sector in the last two decades thanks to the exponential growth achieved by the country's IT professionals and entrepreneurs riding on the favourable policy support. Now, nearly 2,000 IT firms and thousands of youths and IT experts are engaged in the sector to cater to local and international markets through their innovations, creativity and excellence. To raise awareness about the role of ICT in nation-building and to encourage innovation and excellence among ICT talents and enterprises, The Daily Star has been recognising and celebrating extraordinary achievements by IT entrepreneurs since 2016. This year, seven trailblazers in the ICT sector were honoured with the 9th Brac Bank-The Daily Star ict Awards for their contribution to the development of country's IT sector and the society.

DIGITAL COMMERCE

SSL Wireless

Ahmed Kamal Khan Chowdhury, Group Advisor of SSL Wireless

Founded in 1999, SSL Wireless (Software Shop Limited) has been a pioneer in Bangladesh's ICT sector, evolving from software development to a leading provider of digital commerce solutions.

With a dedicated team of more than 400 employees, the company serves businesses of all sizes, delivering innovative solutions that address the unique challenges of the Bangladeshi market.

One of SSL Wireless's major achievements is Hercules One, an ERP solution that digitally integrates over 250,000 merchants, reducing reconciliation errors by 89 percent.

This has streamlined business operations and boosted efficiency across industries.

Additionally, Hercules One has facilitated microloans for retailers, promoting their growth and contributing to a cashless economy in Bangladesh.

SSL Wireless's commitment to innovation extends beyond commerce, continuously adapting to emerging technologies and positioning Bangladesh as a global tech contender.

As the company celebrates 25 years, its legacy highlights the transformative power of technology in empowering businesses and communities.

ICT Startup
Shikho

Shahir Chowdhury, Founder and CEO, Shikho

Shikho is pioneering a digital revolution in Bangladesh's education sector, blending cutting-edge technology with a hyper-local approach to transform how 85 million young people learn. 

As a category-defining edtech start-up, Shikho is building a comprehensive learning ecosystem that spans schools, universities and professional development, offering interactive live classes, AI-driven personalisation and gamified content -- all in Bengali. 

By addressing systemic gaps in traditional education, Shikho ensures students across all 64 districts, including underserved rural areas, gain access to high-quality, affordable learning tools tailored to a digital-first world.

With 2.5 million registered users and $8 million in funding from global investors like Learn Capital, Wavemaker Partners and Anchorless Bangladesh, Shikho is bridging the divide between outdated methods and modern educational needs. 

Named to the Forbes Asia 100 to Watch list, Shikho is not just transforming education -- it's empowering a new generation to thrive in Bangladesh's rapidly evolving economy.
 

ICT Startup
Instasure Limited
Rafel Kabir, Managing Director, Instasure Limited 

Founded in 2022, Instasure has quickly emerged as a leader in Bangladesh's fintech sector with its pioneering embedded insurance platform. 

By integrating seamlessly with third-party businesses like e-commerce platforms, banks and travel portals, Instasure has expanded access to tailored insurance products, offering customers affordable solutions at the point of purchase or service.

The platform's key features include customisable insurance options, a mobile-first design and streamlined workflows for policy issuance, claims processing and transactions, making insurance more accessible to a wider audience. 

Despite being a young company, Instasure has formed strategic partnerships with major Bangladeshi companies, such as Robi, Grameen Digital Health and MasterCard, giving it access to over 300 million customers.

Instasure addresses Bangladesh's low insurance penetration, currently at 0.4 percent, by introducing the "insurance-as-a-service" model. 

Its innovation empowers individuals and businesses, enhancing financial security and driving social and economic progress in the country.
 

ICT Solutions Provider (International Market Focus)
The KOW Company Limited

Kowser Ahmed, Managing Director & CEO, The KOW Company

The KOW Company has established itself as a global leader in content post-production and 3D innovation, setting new standards in the creative industry. 

Powered by AI technology and a skilled team of over 500 professionals, the company processes up to 32,000-35,000 assets daily, ensuring efficiency and precision for world-renowned brands.

Partnering with Straub Collaborative and Nureg Gmbh, KOW Company serves major names like Adidas, Reebok, Pierre Cardin, Wrangler, Lee and many more.

The KOW Company delivers exceptional results across sectors such as luxury fashion and retail. Its expertise spans 3D modelling, advanced CGI and intricate image manipulation, allowing clients to craft compelling visual narratives.

The company's commitment to innovation is reflected in its adoption of AI with the launch of retouched.ai, streamlining workflows and enhancing precision. 

This forward-thinking approach enables greater customisation, ensuring that each client's unique vision is brought to life with excellence.
 

ICT Solutions Provider (Local Market Focus) 
Logic Software Limited
Rumana Ahmed, Director, Logic Software Limited. 

Founded in 2010, Logic Software has become a leading provider of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions in Bangladesh. 

Specialising in industries like textiles, garment, leather and spinning mills, the company offers scalable software that addresses critical business challenges such as inventory control, production planning and financial management.

With its ERP systems processing over $15 billion in transactions, Logic Software has made a significant impact on the Bangladeshi economy. 

The company has earned the trust of big organisations like Fakir Fashion, Urmi Group and Standard Group, helping them streamline operations and drive efficiency.

Innovation is at the heart of Logic Software's success. By integrating advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things into their ERP solutions, they ensure clients stay competitive in a rapidly changing market.

Beyond ERP, Logic Software has developed systems for diverse sectors, including the Bangladesh Air Force and the University of Dhaka, showcasing their versatility and broad expertise.
 

ICT Business Person of the year
Afeef Zaman
Founder and CEO, ShopUp

Afeef Zaman, a visionary entrepreneur from Bangladesh, has revolutionised the country's commerce landscape through ShopUp, a leading full-stack B2B platform. 

As the founder and chief executive officer, Zaman has empowered over 655,000 merchants by providing them seamless access to B2B sourcing, logistics and business management tools.

Zaman's entrepreneurial journey began at 20 with his first tech startup, where he led a 150-member team and achieved $3 million in revenue. 

The idea for ShopUp arose from his visits to Bauphal, Patuakhali, where he saw the challenges small pottery businesses faced in sourcing, logistics and financing. 

Determined to help, he launched ShopUp to equip SMEs with the tools needed to compete with larger companies.

Under Zaman's leadership, ShopUp raised $174 million in South Asia's largest Series B funding round, cementing its role in transforming digital commerce. 

By 2024, ShopUp's network reached 31 million people, connecting millions of small businesses across Bangladesh.
 

ICT Woman of the year
Sadia Haque
Co-founder and CEO, ShareTrip 

Sadia Haque, co-founder and chief executive officer of ShareTrip, has revolutionised Bangladesh's travel industry. 

Since its inception in 2019, ShareTrip has become the country's largest online travel platform, generating more than $100 million in gross merchandise value under Sadia's visionary leadership.

Sadia's entrepreneurial journey is marked by strategic innovation, transforming how Bangladeshis plan and book travel. 

ShareTrip offers a range of services, including flight bookings, hotel reservations and transportation, making travel more accessible. 

The platform's user-friendly interface and customer-centric approach have established it as a leader in the competitive market.

Her leadership has been key to ShareTrip's success, helping the company secure $11.5 million in investment. These achievements have earned ShareTrip accolades, solidifying its position in digital commerce.

Before founding ShareTrip, Sadia gained experience at Banglalink, Nokia and Grameenphone, honing the skills that have made her a prominent figure in Bangladesh's start-up ecosystem and a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs.