Startup Bangladesh
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersDhaka, Bangladesh
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
Startup Bangladesh firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Startup Bangladesh
- Legal name
- Startup Bangladesh Limited
- Website
- https://startupbangladesh.vc
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Startup Bangladesh industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Venture Capital
- akta.pro primary industry
- Early-Stage Venture Capital (Pre-Seed/Seed) (FSANAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)
Keywords
Where Startup Bangladesh is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dhaka
- HQ country
- Bangladesh
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Startup Bangladesh business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Equity and Quasi-Equity Investment Returns: Startup Bangladesh Limited generates returns through equity and quasi-equity investments in early-stage and growth-stage startups. Investment sizes range from BDT 25 lac to BDT 5 crore per round, with a maximum ownership stake of 49% per investee. Expected exit timeline is 5-8 years subject to market conditions. The firm also earns management fees as a fund-of-funds and asset manager.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels12 records
Startup Bangladesh product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Startup Bangladesh Limited is a government-owned venture capital company that invests in seed, early-stage, and growth-stage startups in Bangladesh through equity, quasi-equity (convertible debt), and grants, with transaction sizes ranging from BDT 25 lac to BDT 5 crore per round and a maximum 49% stake per investee. It also operates a USD 33 million Fund of Funds program that deploys capital through local and global VC fund managers, and provides ecosystem development support including the SBL NRB Connect platform linking Non-Resident Bangladeshis with the domestic startup ecosystem.
Product overview
Startup Bangladesh Limited is a government-owned venture capital company under Bangladesh's ICT Division, founded in March 2020 with a USD 65 million flagship fund. The company provides a suite of investment and ecosystem-building services: direct equity and quasi-equity investments (BDT 25 lac to BDT 5 crore per round) in seed, early and growth stage startups; a Fund of Funds program (USD 33 million initial size) investing through partnership funds with local and global VC managers; co-investment opportunities; and ecosystem support including incubator, accelerator, and challenger fund investments. The SBL NRB Connect platform enables Non-Resident Bangladeshis to participate in the ecosystem through co-investment, mentorship, and business scaling. The investment thesis focuses on sectors including Fintech, Health-tech, EdTech, Agritech, SaaS, AI/ML, Logistics, and Mobility, with alignment to national goals such as SDG achievement and Digital Bangladesh Vision 2041.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Equity and Quasi-Equity Investment
- Fund of Funds
- Co-Investment Platform
- SBL NRB Connect
- Ecosystem Development Support
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1.5 million jobs created across Bangladesh's startup ecosystem
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Startup Bangladesh
Customer profileNamed customers19 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Startup Bangladesh technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Startup Bangladesh partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Switzerland's EmbassyminorSwiss Embassy supported the Sustainable Finance Summit 2026 organized by LightCastle Partners with support from UNCDF, Truvalu Bangladesh, and Startup Bangladesh Limited, focusing on innovative financing for sustainable growth.
- UNCDF (United Nations Capital Development Fund)minorUNCDF co-supported the Sustainable Finance Summit 2026 organized by LightCastle Partners alongside Switzerland's Embassy, Truvalu Bangladesh, and Startup Bangladesh Limited.
- LightCastle PartnerscoreMoU signed on October 25th for joint ecosystem promotion and investment attraction. LightCastle Partners serves as buy-side investment advisor of SBL. They jointly identify engagement opportunities and collaborate on Knowledge Products, Startup Dealbooks, Investor Roadshows, Showcasing Events, and Promotional Activities to highlight Bangladesh's local startup ecosystem to global investors.
- VisacoreMoU signed to develop an effective and innovative financial inclusion and digital ecosystem in Bangladesh. Collaboration includes bringing Visa's Fintech Fast Track Program to Bangladesh, Visa Ready certification program, technical assistance and workshops by Visa experts, access to Visa Development Platform APIs and Visa Developer Sandbox, and knowledge partnership including research and knowledge sharing.
- Smart Bangladesh Accelerator (SBA)coreSBL entered into a strategic partnership with Smart Bangladesh Accelerator (SBA), a program under Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority. SBL is SBA's Exclusive Strategic Partner, committed to nurturing the growth and success of startups across the nation and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
- EDGE Project (Enhancing Digital Government and Economy Project)coreMoU signed between World Bank-financed EDGE Project of Bangladesh Computer Council and Startup Bangladesh Limited to provide training to 500 startup founders through the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) of Dhaka University, developing sustainable startup entrepreneurs for the nation.
- Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC)coreStartup Bangladesh, in partnership with BSEC, hosted a Focus Group Discussion on 'Bringing Bangladeshi Tech Startups to the Public Market' to collaborate on solutions promoting Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) for technology startups in Bangladesh, enabling local startups to list on the domestic stock market.
- iDEA ProjectminorCollaboration between Innovation Design and Entrepreneurship Academy (iDEA) Project of ICT Division and Startup Bangladesh Limited for ecosystem development activities.
- Brain Station 23minorIndustry partner supporting the Bangladesh delegation of 24 startups at Expand North Star 2024 in Dubai, along with Startup Bangladesh and other partners.
- ChaldalminorIndustry partner supporting Bangladesh's startup ecosystem showcase at Expand North Star 2024 in Dubai.
- Moner BondhuminorNew partnership offering mental health care and wellbeing services to all SBL portfolio startups.
- Asiatic Mindshare Ltd.minorCollaboration with Asiatic Mindshare Ltd. for the upcoming Bangladesh Startup Summit.
- Windmill Advertising Ltd.minorCollaboration with Windmill Advertising Ltd. for the upcoming Bangladesh Startup Summit.
- SDG Impact AcceleratorminorSBL collaborated with SDG Impact Accelerator for acceleration programs focused on Digital Agriculture and Financial Inclusion.
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) BangladeshminorCollaboration with UNDP Bangladesh, Citi, Islamic Development Bank, and LightCastle Partners for ecosystem development.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Startup Bangladesh competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bangladesh Venture Capital Limited (BVCL): Bangladesh government-affiliated venture capital company that predates Startup Bangladesh. Closest direct peer — same country, same government-linked VC mandate investing in early-stage companies, providing a benchmark for government VC structures in Bangladesh.
- BD Venture Limited (BDVL): Bangladesh-focused venture capital firm whose alumni now staff SBL's VC team. Operates in the same Bangladesh early-stage ecosystem with similar ticket sizes, making it the most direct local capital-deployment competitor.
- SIDBI Fund of Funds (India): Indian government's Small Industries Development Bank of India operates a Fund of Funds (FFS) for Indian startups that deploys through domestic VCs — the closest structural analog to SBL's USD 33M FoF model in a comparable emerging market.
- LightCastle Partners: Bangladesh-focused advisory and investment firm serving as SBL's buy-side investment advisor. Operates in the same Bangladesh VC ecosystem with comparable early-stage mandate and provides a benchmark for private-sector VC operating models in the country.
Broad incumbents
- Khazanah Nasional: Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund with active VC/PE mandates across Southeast Asia, including direct and fund-of-funds-style deployment. Comparable as a state-owned capital allocator pursuing strategic national development alongside financial returns.
- Temasek Holdings: Singapore state-owned investment company with deep VC/PE allocation through vehicles like Vertex Ventures. Comparable as a sovereign capital allocator into regional VC ecosystems with patient-capital mandate similar to SBL's government sponsorship.
- Mubadala Investment Company: UAE sovereign investor with significant venture and growth allocations via Mubadala Ventures and fund partnerships. Comparable as a government-backed capital allocator deploying into emerging-market VC ecosystems with strategic-development overlay.
Regional players
- Wavemaker Partners: Early-stage VC firm headquartered in Los Angeles with deep Southeast Asia operations, actively investing in Bangladesh startups. Comparable as a competing capital source for the same Bangladesh deal flow that SBL targets.
Others
- iDEA Project (ICT Division): Bangladesh government Innovation Design and Entrepreneurship Academy project under the same ICT Division that owns SBL. Several SBL team members came from iDEA, and the two collaborate on founder training and deal pipeline — an ecosystem peer and pipeline feeder rather than capital competitor.
Emerging players
- Acumen: Global impact investor with South Asia operations investing in early-stage companies addressing poverty. Comparable due to SBL's explicit SDG-alignment mandate, impact-overlay thesis, and similar ticket sizes for early-stage Bangladesh deals.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses3 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Startup Bangladesh social profiles
Digital presenceStartup Bangladesh financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Startup Bangladesh leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles20 records
Startup Bangladesh funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Startup Bangladesh M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments41 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Startup Bangladesh
What does Startup Bangladesh do?
Startup Bangladesh Limited is a government-owned venture capital company that invests in seed, early-stage, and growth-stage startups in Bangladesh through equity, quasi-equity (convertible debt), and grants, with transaction sizes ranging from BDT 25 lac to BDT 5 crore per round and a maximum 49% stake per investee. It also operates a USD 33 million Fund of Funds program that deploys capital through local and global VC fund managers, and provides ecosystem development support including the SBL NRB Connect platform linking Non-Resident Bangladeshis with the domestic startup ecosystem.
Is Startup Bangladesh a public or private company?
Startup Bangladesh is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Startup Bangladesh founded?
Startup Bangladesh was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Startup Bangladesh based?
Startup Bangladesh is headquartered in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in the Asia region.
How does Startup Bangladesh make money?
One revenue line is on record: equity and Quasi-Equity Investment Returns.
Who are Startup Bangladesh's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bangladesh Venture Capital Limited (BVCL), BD Venture Limited (BDVL), SIDBI Fund of Funds (India) and LightCastle Partners. Broad incumbents are Khazanah Nasional, Temasek Holdings and Mubadala Investment Company. Wavemaker Partners is listed as a regional player. iDEA Project (ICT Division) is listed as an others. Acumen is listed as an emerging player.
Does Startup Bangladesh have an API?
No public API is recorded for Startup Bangladesh.
What industry is Startup Bangladesh in?
Startup Bangladesh's product category is Venture Capital. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAA, Early-Stage Venture Capital (Pre-Seed/Seed), with a secondary code of FSANAHAD, Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs.