bKash
The 7 Most Promising Tech Startups in Bangladesh
Startups have been around for quite a while now in Bangladesh. The success of several startups has prompted many to venture into the field and take a dig at the market. However, the success of a startup depends on the idea, effort to realize the idea, and considerable risk intake. The high risk has caused many startups to fail. Yet there are some glaring examples of startups that are defying odds to make a change in the existing market process. Let's have a look at the 7 most promising tech startups in Bangladesh.
Pathao
One of the prominent startups of Bangladesh is Pathao. Founded in 2015 by Fahim Saleh, Hussain M Elius, and Shifat Adnan, the company is a major startup that changed the ride-sharing and delivery service landscape of Bangladesh. Initially, the company started its service as a parcel delivery platform through riders.
In 2016, the company started its ride-sharing service as well. The popularity of the platform grew instantly and in 2018, the valuation of the company stood at 100 million dollars. It was also the time the company reached a million registered user mark. Currently, Pathao operates in Dhaka, Gazipur, Chittagong, Sylhet, and Kathmandu.
In its initial days, the company received funding from RC Ventures, Alter Global, Provident Growth, and other firms.
Read The Difference between a Startup and a Small Business
bKash
Another prominent startup of Bangladesh is bKash. Back in the 2000s, mobile banking platforms were getting considerable traction. Two brothers Kamal Quadir and Iqbal Quadir wanted to introduce a similar platform in Bangladesh and to that end, they started holding talks with Sir Fazle Abed of Brac Bank. In July 2011, bKash came into existence as a joint venture between BRAC bank and Money in Motion LLC of USA.
bKash has been a key player noting that over 70 percent of the people lived in the rural area of Bangladesh and most of them were unbanked. bKash tapped into this need and initially started as a money transaction platform through mobile. With time, they have established other services like bill pays mobile top-up and payment to another e-commerce platform as well.
Today, almost 22% of the adult population of Bangladesh uses bKash with daily transactions of over 4.5 million times. bKash also gained investor from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as well as equity hold from Ant Financial. Due to the paradigm shift created by bKash in the banking sector, the platform was awarded the most innovative invention of Bangladesh in 2018.
Read Some Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh in Diverse Sectors
ME SOLshare
One of the common gripes with developmental opportunity in Bangladesh is that the majority of the people lives in a rural area. Even though Bangladesh has made considerable strides in HDI, access to basic features like electricity is still a costly affair for many. To that end, ME SOLshare Ltd. ventured out to provide an affordable solar panel for electricity solution to the rural community of Bangladesh.
The technology introduced by ME SOLshare is revolutionary considering the peer-to-peer grid system where electricity from one home can be shared to another and excess energy can be sold as well. This not only helps people to illuminate their homes but also provides them with a scope to earn from the venture.
ME SOLshare has received backing from Sangam Ventures, Social Alpha, and Free Electrons and has been able to raise over 2.8 million in funding.
Read Online Business: How to Get Started from Home?
Zantrik
Most of the successful startups that you will see aren’t limited to traditional business models. Rather the idea is to better approach the client base with a solution that disrupts the market. For most of us, we go to a mechanic for an issue with our automobiles and bikes. But what if it's not in a state to be moved by itself?
The founder of Zantrik tapped into this necessity and created a platform where the automobile mechanic will come to you. suppose if your car or bike breaks down in the road, the company can send a technician in 30 minutes. You can also make use of their partner garages to get your cars or automobiles fixed or checked. They are currently available on both iOS and Android platforms. The company has managed to raise over 72k dollars in funding from black diamond ventures.
Read Passive Income Ideas in Bangladesh in 2021
ShopUp
The boom of e-commerce platforms in Bangladesh has been remarkable in recent years. Most of these e-commerce ventures are limited to run their business through F-commerce and social media platforms with manual handling of orders. ShopUp wanted to make changes to this existing process by introducing a software solution that will enable businesses to automate the ordering and product delivery process.
The cheap availability, as well as usability of the software, made ShopUp an instant hit among that retail online merchants. Since its foundation in 2016, the company has managed to garner over 28 million dollars in funding and has been one of the leading tech startups in Bangladesh.
Read Small Business Ideas for F-commerce Startups in Bangladesh during Pandemic
Gaze Technology
Silicon valley of the US is famous for all the tech and AI-related startups. It is almost like a hub for AI development. However, Gaze technology is an AI-driven tech startup right here in Bangladesh. with access to limited resources and funding, the company has been determined to make its mark in using AI and API integration to make Bangladesh safer. The company works to develop real-time tracking, facial recognition technology as well as a vehicle tracking technology.
The company has worked with Dhaka Metropolitan Police to make traffic monitoring easier by integrating AI in the recognition system. The company aims to grab the international AI-led recognition market which is estimated to be valued at over 50 billion US dollars. Gaze raised seed money of over 830 thousand dollars to develop their AI venture.
Read Zero Investment Business Ideas to Try Amidst the Pandemic
Sheba.xyz
One of the most promising startups in the e-commerce sector has to be the Sheba.xyz venture. Whereas most of the e-commerce platform focuses on a specific niche of product or service, Sheba.xyz decided to incorporate everything under one roof.
The primary focus of Sheba is addressing the daily necessity of people. Whatever you might in your daily life, you will find it on the platform. From home shifting to the beauty salon to laundry service, everything will be brought to your doors. This not only made the life of people easier but also propelled the platform to one of the top e-commerce sites of Bangladesh with high client satisfaction and retention rate. The platform received an initial investment of 70 thousand dollars from Microsoft and Facebook.
Read Top FMCG Companies in Bangladesh: At a Glance
Bottom Line
The tech startup scene in Bangladesh is still in its nascent stage with more and more companies waiting to have their breakthrough moment. However, the ones that we mentioned here have already been successful in creating a model that would effectively make them useful for the people and grow at a profitable rate. These startups can work as inspiration for others to develop their strategies to better generate ideas and processes.
bKash app locates nearby agents, merchants, ATMs, customer cares
Customers can easily locate nearby agents, customer care centres or merchant points from ‘bKash Map’ option in bKash app anytime from any corner of the country.
Due to the convenience of saving time in case of emergency, customers have availed this service more than 2.2 million times in the last five months.
Read: 7 lakh bKash customers donate Tk20 crore to 50 organisations
Recently, ‘ATMs’ option has also been added to bKash Map. From ATMs of Basic Bank, BRAC Bank, First Security Islami Bank, IFIC Bank, Jamuna Bank, Midland Bank, Shahjalal Islami Bank and Social Islami Bank, bKash customers can avail Cash Out service at a cost of Tk 14.9 per Tk 1,000.
Using Map of bKash app, it has now become easier to avail services from 240,000 agent points, 275 customer care centers, more than 250,000 merchant points and more than 1,150 ATMs across the country.
Besides location, customers can get some added information like the image, address, business type and service time of specific agent, merchant, ATM or customer care centre in ‘bKash Map’.
To use the map, customers have to select ‘bKash Map’ after tapping bKash logo on the top right side of the app's home screen. They have to turn on their location to use this feature and view the whole map.
Read: bKash gives food aid to 5,000 Covid-hit families
At the bottom of the map, the logo of ‘Merchants’, ‘Agents’, ‘ATMs’ and ‘Customer Care’ have been placed. Customers can see five nearby agents, ATMs or customer care/customer care points by tapping on ‘Agents’, ‘ATMs’ or ‘Customer Care’. They can also get directions through 'Show Route' option after tapping on the logo of selected merchant, agent, ATM or customer care point or from 'Show List' button. However, one can see 10 nearby merchant points by tapping on ‘Merchants’.
bKash gives food aid to 5,000 Covid-hit families
bKash has recently provided food aid worth Tk35 lakh to 5,000 Covid-hit families ahead of Eid.
The relief will be distributed among the needy under the supervision of Sena Kalyan Sangstha.
bKash Chief Executive Officer Kamal Quadir handed over the food aid to Air Commodore M Moyeenuddin, director general (welfare) of Sena Kalyan Sangstha, Wednesday in the capital.
Under the food aid, each family will receive 5kg rice, 1kg pulse, 1kg salt, 1-litre oil, 1kg sugar, half kg of vermicelli (semai), and two bars of soap. This food aid package is expected to help a family of four to survive for 10 days at least.
Also read: 7 lakh bKash customers donate Tk20 crore to 50 organisations
Last year in May, bKash also provided food aid Tk35 lakh to 5,000 Covid-affected families, read a press release.
Bongo introduces seven original telefilm adaptations Based on Books (BoB) this Eid
Bongo, the nation’s pioneering video streaming platform, is set to launch a link between works of Bangladeshi literature and film through their 'BoB' (Based on Books) project Season One, presented by bKash on this Eid-ul-Fitr.
Adapted from the seven bestsellers of Ekushey Boi Mela 2020, this exclusive project offers something for all viewers of all genres, including drama, romance, comedy, thriller, action, and supernatural, Bongo says via a press release.
Read Bengali OTT Platforms for Watching Movies, Web Series, Musical Shows
A ‘Brainchild’ project of Mushfiqur Rahman, Chief Content Officer of Bongo and Zahid Ahmed, Deputy Chief Content Editor of Bongo, this challenge of adapting from the literature will not only serve the purpose of presenting different and refreshing contents to the audiences but also encourage new and contemporary writers to see an alternative way of channelling their stories, the platform says on the press release.
Bongo has given priority to contemporary young writers for the first season of Bongo BoB, besides prominent fiction writer Shahaduz Zaman. This time, seven popular books of 2020 were selected through rigorous discussions with the writers and publishers to be exclusively streamed on www.bongobd.com.
Also read: Bongo launching season 1 of Based on Books contents on Eid-Ul-Fitr
Mushfiqur Rahman said, "Our stories are reflected in our literature. We have long wanted to get out of the conventional trend and work with literature. This may be the first literary work as a series. It is our stepping stone and we shall continue to build on it. We are glad to have bKash on board who believed in the project.”
He also mentions that works on eminent names of Bangla literature such as Shahidul Zahir, Syed Shamsul Haq, and Selina Hossain in their future projects of films, dramas, telefilms, and web series.
According to Zahid Ahmed, the Bongo BoB Project is a long-term initiative. He said, "Looking through the history, Bangladesh's film industry played a significant role in the country's GDP, but we could not hold on to it, one of the reasons is the lack of original stories. The same can be said about television. Through this venture, we want to present original stories to our audience that hold global standards.”
Also read: Bongo to release Liberation War based film 'Noybeddya' on Independence Day
The seven authors of the books Bongo chose are Shahaduz Zaman, Sadat Hossain, Rahitul Islam, Shibabrata Barman, Mahbub Morshed, Jobaed Ahsan and Maruf Rehman. Zahid Ahmed mentions that the writers have been selected very consciously. The demand for the character in the story has also got priority before glamour in the selection of artists.
Considering the situation, Bongo says that it was not easy for the directors adapting the films as everyone faced various challenges, time, production during COVID-19 and the pressure of adaptation. Writer Maruf Rehman mentioned that with the change in the medium of storytelling, the need for change, expansion and refinement in the script is obvious. His novel Laboni will be adapted in one of the films under the same title.
The seven directors are Animesh Aich, Noor Imran Mithu, Iftekhar Ahmed Fahmi, Sanjoy Somaddar, Wahid Tareq, Vicky Zahed and Golam Haider Kisloo.
Also read: Bongo releases new horror series '2 Mad Men'
For the artists, it was also quite challenging as well who had to work with precaution and safety protocols for COVID-19. For the first time, actor Ilias Kanchan will be seen on the Bongo OTT platform. Ishrat Jahan Chaiti, Azmeri Haque Badhon, Partha Barua, Manoj Pramanik, Mumtahina Toya, Ashna Habib Bhabna and many more seniors and contemporary artists will be featured in these telefilms.
“Bongo has always been a pioneer in the Video Streaming industry in Bangladesh since 2013. We have been digitizing movies from the 70s, 80s and 90s to preserve our culture. When this show was first pitched to our content committee, it was a no-brainer decision for us. We are extremely excited to take this approach and will continue to build on this along with delivering our technology to enable millions to watch anywhere, anytime and on all screens.
Read 10 Best Adventure Movies Released in 2021
We reach over 179 countries globally, over 15 million viewers through all Bongo Channels and this time with the BoB Series we are also launching with English subtitles so that global audiences can also get a taste of Bengali stories,” said Fayaz Taher, Chief Operating Officer of Bongo.
The on-screen stories will be broadcasted on Channel 9 (2 pm), Deepto TV (4:30 pm), ETV (9:20 pm) and GTV (11:30 pm) from the 1st to 7th day of Eid-ul-Fitr. These will also be streamed exclusively on Bongo's OTT platform at www.bongobd.com, or users can download the iOS, TV or Android App.
Read Best Iranian Movies 2021 to Watch during Ramadan Fasting
7 lakh bKash customers donate Tk20 crore to 50 organisations
Over the past few years, many people have provided financial aid to charity organisations through bKash especially during Eid and 7 lakh customers have donated Tk20 core to 50 organisations up to now since bKash added the "donation" icon to its app last year.
This new feature enhanced the capacity of the charity organisations to collect donations and enabled the customers to donate more while sitting in the comfort of their home amid this pandemic.
Read bKash offers up to 40% instant cashback on Eid shopping, iftar, grocery payment
bKash has become a partner to many charity organisations by providing a platform to collect donations for disadvantaged people.
The mobile financial service's donation feature has bridged the gap between recipient and donor.
Read Donate zakat to govt fund: Islamic Foundation
Through bKash, one can easily give Zakat or make voluntary donations from any part of the country at any time for the needy.
At present, bKash users can donate money to many organisations such as Anjuman Mufidul Islam, Bangladesh Thalassemia Foundation, Brac, Center for Zakat Management, Dhaka Ahsania Mission, Ek Takay Ahar, Esho Sabai, Bangladesh Liberation War Museum, Mastul Foundation, Mojar School, National Liver Foundation of Bangladesh, Obhizatrik Foundation, Quantum Foundation, Sajida Foundation and Shakti Foundation for Disadvantaged Women-Donation, read a press release.
Read PRAN-RFL donates safety equipment to health workers
bKash offers up to 40% instant cashback on Eid shopping, iftar, grocery payment
Customers will enjoy 5 to 40 percent instant cashback on bKash payment at around 4,500 shopping outlets across the country on the occasion of Ramadan and the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr till May 15.
A customer can avail maximum Tk 300 in a day and maximum Tk 500 during the whole campaign as cashback, said a media release on Wednesday.
In addition, cashback on Iftar and grocery payment at various outlets are also available.
Also Read: bKash offers 1 pc cash bonus on receiving remittance
Customers can get the offer through bKash app, USSD code *247# or payment gateway.
Customers can avail this offer by making bKash payment for purchasing various lifestyle products and services such as: accessories, clothing, e-commerce, footwear, electronics, superstore items, healthcare, restaurant/cafe, and many more. This offer includes Aarong, Anjan’s, Kay Kraft, Banglar Mela, Bibiana, Deshal, Le Reve, Rong, Sadakalo, Sailor, Nogordola, Bata, Zeil’s, Lotto, Orange, SaRa, LG Butterfly, Minister, Transcom, Singer, Sony Rangs, Kiva Han, Cafe Euphoria, BAO, Nawab Chatga, Baoxi Kafei, Salam's Kitchen, Khazana Sweets, Peyala, Bangla Shoppers, Boi Bichitra, Al Amin Jewellers, Baby Shop, Gentle Park, Foot Gear, Crescent, etc. and many other renowned shopping outlets.
Read OPPO presents trove of gifts, offers for Eid
In addition, bKash customers can enjoy Buy 1 Get 1 offer at After Hours Hotel and Resorts, Platinum Grand, Platinum Residence, Hansa- A Premium Residence, Best Western Plus Maya, Dhaka Regency, Best western Plus Maple Leaf, Asia Hotel and Resorts, Shinepukur Suites and The Way Dhaka.
However, customers can avail Buy 1 Get 3 offer on bKash payment at Long Beach Suites Dhaka.
Read iPhone Eid mega deal in G&G
The offer will be valid till 14th May, 2021 and available through bKash APP & USSD code *247#.
bKash is also offering up to 40% discount on various Iftar deals at Hotel Radisson, Hotel Sarina, Grace 21, Paragon Convention Hall, Munchery, Beans & Grills, Hotel Noorjahan Grand, Hotel Fountain and Adi Ashta Banjan Restaurant to make Iftar more enjoyable during this month of Ramadan.
The offer will be valid till May 15, 2021.
Also Read: Up to 500 Tk Cashback on card to bKash 'Add Money'
In order to make payment through bKash app, customer has to type the merchant number by tapping on the 'Make Payment' icon on the home screen or by going to the merchant point and scanning the QR code directly.
Customers can easily go to the 'Offers' section of the bKash app as well and check the ongoing offers around them.
Read Samsung brings unique offers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr
Eden College students can pay fees through bKash
From now on, students of Eden Mohila College, one of the leading educational institutions of the country, will be able to pay their academic fees through bKash.
As a result, 20,000 students of the century-old college are able to pay all kinds of academic fees, including monthly fees easily and safely from anywhere 24/7, said a press release.
Read UIU students can pay academic fees through bKash
With this, the service has become more accessible to students, especially amid this pandemic. It is also going to help the college authority to manage collection of academic fees in a more organized and affordable way.
Students can now pay college fees and other fees by dialing USSD code *247# or through bKash app.
Also read: Up to 500 Tk Cashback on card to bKash 'Add Money'
To pay academic fees, students need to click on ‘Education’ from the ‘Pay Bill’ icon of the bKash app, then select Eden College from the list of educational institutions and complete the payment by entering student's information, amount of fee and bKash PIN.
Upon successful payment, students can download and save the digital receipt. In addition, students can save the necessary credentials in bKash app for quick payment in future.
Also read: bKash offers 1 pc cash bonus on receiving remittance
bKash is currently providing fee payment service to 600 educational institutions across the country that saves time and cost eliminating the hassle of standing in long queues at bank counters on working days.
This digital fee payment system made the fee management process of educational institutions more dynamic as well.
Read Over 1mn Covid-affected families to get PM’s Eid gift through bKash
Up to 500 Tk Cashback on card to bKash ‘Add Money’
Customers can Add Money from their debit card of Visa and Mastercard to bKash account 24/7 without any cost. For more convenience in the pandemic, bKash has brought three cashback offers from 50 to 500 Taka on ‘Add Money’ from both debit and credit cards of Visa and Mastercard.
Upon doing ‘Add Money’ of 1000 Taka or more from Visa or Mastercard to own or other bKash account for the first time through bKash app, customer can get 100 Taka cashback. The offer is valid till 17th May, 2021, said a press release.
Also read: Tk 150 discount coupon on Add Money from Bank/Card to bKash
A customer can receive the cashback only once during the campaign. Cashback amount will be sent to the customer's account on the next 2-3 working days of the transaction. Customers can find the details of the offer on the website: https://www.bkash.com/add-money-new-user.
Customers who have added money from Visa or Mastercard to bKash account through bKash app in 2020, but did not avail the service from 1st January to 12th April 2021, can avail 100 Taka cashback upon doing ‘Add Money’ of 1000 Taka or more from Visa or Mastercard through bKash app.
Read Over 1mn Covid-affected families to get PM’s Eid gift through bKash
This offer will be valid till 17th May 2021. A customer can avail the offer only once during the campaign and the cashback amount will be sent to the customer's account on the next working day of the transaction. More details can be found on the website: https://www.bkash.com/add-money-100tk-cashback.
In addition, customers can avail 50 Taka instant cashback up to 500 Taka, upon doing ‘Add Money’ of 4500 Taka from Visa or Mastercard through bKash app. Customer gets 50 Taka cashback each time after doing 4,500 Taka Add Money, which means he/she can get cashback up to 500 Taka in 10 times. This offer will continue till 17th May 2021. For details, customers can visit the website: https://www.bkash.com/add-money-500tk-cashback.
Also read: bKash customers can send money to five 'Priyo numbers ..
Cashback under all these offers will be available on the bKash account to which the 'Add Money' has been done. In case of Add Money from credit card to bKash, charges might be applicable by certain banks. Customer can contact the bank for details.
During this pandemic, the facility of instant fund transfer through Add Money service has enabled customers to enjoy convenient bKash services like Send Money, Mobile Recharge, utility bill payment, offline/online merchant payment, donation to humanitarian organizations, payment of fees of educational institutions, payment of various online registration fees, etc. In addition, they can Cash Out the money in emergency from 240,000 agent points spread across the country by maintaining health hygiene.
Read bKash offers 1 pc cash bonus on receiving remittance
Over 1mn Covid-affected families to get PM’s Eid gift through bKash
bKash will distribute the cash aid of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 10,50,000 low-income group families affected by COVID-19.
In a unique initiative of the Prime Minister to stand by families who have lost their livelihood, financial aid of Tk 2,500 will be provided to each of them before the Eid, bKash said in a media release on Wednesday.
The money is being disbursed digitally with transparency, swiftness and security to the real victims through verification of NID cards, it said.
Also read: Covid-19 in Bangladesh: PM allocates Tk 10.50cr for affected poor
Through MFS, the cash aid of Tk 2,500 is going to be distributed to 3.4 million affected families.
The 10,50,000 low-income families will receive this cash aid through bKash.
During the month of Ramadan and the Eid festival, this money will bring relief to the families and help them greatly in case of emergency, bKash said.
Also read: bKash offers 1 pc cash bonus on receiving remittance
The beneficiary will not need to bear any Cash Out charge.
The government will pay Tk 15 from the total Cash Out charge, while the remaining Tk 31.25 will be borne by bKash.
bKash says it has taken all arrangements to enable the family members to Cash Out the money without any hassle.
Also read: Stipends from PM’s education fund disbursed through bKash
With the far-sighted decision of the government, bKash said, it is becoming possible to disburse financial aid conveniently among the affected families amid such a critical situation.
This is a significant step towards building Digital Bangladesh, it said.
Last year too, bKash successfully distributed the cash aid of the Prime Minister to nearly 1 million families.
Read Financial aid for all mosques, 7,000 more Qawmi Madrasas before Eid: PM
bKash offers 1 pc cash bonus on receiving remittance
Mobile financial service, bKash is offering 1 percent cash bonus on top of 2 percent government incentive on remittance, aiming to ensure more comfort for the expatriates in sending money to their loved ones through different banking channels.
Currently, expatriates are sending remittance securely to 52 million bKash accounts through 10 commercial banks of the country via more than 50 money transfer organizations (MTO), said a press release.
Also read:bKash hands over 300 more ventilators
Using online or wallet transfer facilities, expatriates from 93 countries are sending remittance. Due to these facilities, the expatriates have sent remittances worth 138 million USD in 2020.
This offer is applicable for sending any amount of remittance from Tk 10,000 or more. The offer will be valid until 31st May 2021.
A customer can avail the offer twice in a month which means, maximum 4 times during the whole campaign. As a result, customers can get up to Tk 1,200 in a month and maximum Tk 2,400 during the offer period.
Read Tk 150 discount coupon on Add Money from Bank/Card to bKash
With the government incentive and bKash bonus, one customer will have the opportunity to send remittance of Tk 1.25 lakh per day and a maximum of Tk 4.5 lakh per month.
Expatriates can send remittance to their loved one's bKash account instantly through online/internet transfer or mobile wallets without going anywhere.
Also read:bKash customers can send money to five 'Priyo numbers ..
Because of the convenient and fast way of sending money through banking channels, the remittance service of bKash is becoming more popular. This service is helping them stay safe during the pandemic as well.
In addition, receivers can Cash Out the money at any time from any nearby agent point instead of wasting time and cost in reaching bank counters. While staying at home, they can also avail various bKash services through their wallets such as: utility bill payment, send money, mobile recharge, payment of educational institution or hospital expenses, payment of online shopping, etc. Due to these, relatives of the expatriates are also considering bKash as the easiest, safest and most convenient way of receiving remittance.
Read UIU students can pay academic fees through bKash