Biniyog Briddhi

What Biniyog Briddhi does

Biniyog Briddhi (B-Briddhi), also known as Scaling Impact Enterprises of Bangladesh (SIE-B), is a gender-inclusive development programme launched in 2020 to scale impact enterprises in Bangladesh. It is funded by the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh and implemented by Roots of Impact GmbH (Germany) and LightCastle Partners (Bangladesh). The programme serves impact entrepreneurs, investors, incubators, accelerators, and certified service providers, with end beneficiaries including RMG factory workers, smallholder farmers, and micro-entrepreneurs. Phase I ran from 2020 to 2024; Phase II runs from 2024 to 2027 with expanded geographic outreach and a focus on climate adaptation and gender lens investing.

The programme operates through three primary pillars: (1) Capacity Building, including Train-the-Trainer, Voucher Scheme, Theory of Change (TOC-TOC) engagement, and an Impact-Linked Finance Readiness Bootcamp; (2) Catalytic Funding, deploying Social Impact Incentives (SIINC) and Impact-Ready Matching Fund (IRMF) instruments; and (3) Knowledge, delivered via downloadable toolkits including the Impact Measurement & Management (IMM) Toolkit, Innovative Finance Toolkit, and Climate Finance Navigator Toolkit. As of December 2022, the programme had closed 11 catalytic fundings; portfolio enterprises include Apon Wellbeing (70,000+ RMG workers reached, 44% female), HelloTask (US$1M ARR, 2,000+ active female domestic workers), iFarmer, Solshare, Shuttle, Romoni, ShopUp, Sheba.xyz, and ATEC.

The programme is non-commercial: it charges no fees to participating enterprises, operates as a grant-funded initiative, and uses an application-based direct engagement model supplemented by partner organisation networks (BRAC, Bangladesh Angels, Startup Bangladesh, IDLC VC, Acumen Academy Bangladesh, Truvalu, ANDE E&SEA) and certified service providers. The underlying "technology" is methodological rather than digital — frameworks, toolkits, and standardised impact measurement practices distributed as PDF resources and through in-person workshops, networking dinners, ecosystem excursions, and quarterly Entrepreneurs Circles. The programme does not generate revenue in the conventional sense; its operating economics are defined by the Swiss Embassy funding envelope across multi-year phases.

Name

Biniyog Briddhi

Legal name

Roots of Impact GmbH

Website

https://sie-b.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Biniyog Briddhi is a Swiss Embassy-funded development programme implemented by Roots of Impact and LightCastle Partners that provides capacity building, catalytic funding (SIINC, IRMF), and knowledge toolkits to scale impact enterprises in Bangladesh.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Impact Investing Development Programme

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (813990)

SIC

Foreign Governments (8888), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Donor Coordination, Monitoring & Evaluation (MEL) Programs (BPADABAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning (MEL) & Reporting for Donor Programs (BPADAOAL), Results-Based Financing (RBF) & Performance-Based Grants (BPADAOAF), Development Finance & Blended Finance Facilities (BPADAOAD)

Keywords

• Impact investing
• Capacity building
• Catalytic funding
• Impact measurement
• Gender lens investing

Headquarters

HQ city

Dhaka

HQ country

Bangladesh

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Development Funding / Grant-Based Programme: Biniyog Briddhi is a multi-year development programme funded by the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh and implemented by Roots of Impact and LightCastle Partners. It does not charge enterprises for participation. The programme provides capacity building (free training, toolkits, workshops) and catalytic funding (Social Impact Incentives and Impact-Ready Matching Fund) to qualifying impact enterprises. The programme operates in phases (Phase I from 2020, Phase II from 2024–2027).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Biniyog Briddhi (B-Briddhi) is a gender-inclusive development programme that scales impact enterprises in Bangladesh through three pillars: (1) Capacity Building (Train-the-Trainer, Voucher Scheme, Theory of Change Card Game/TOC-TOC, and ILF Readiness Bootcamp); (2) Catalytic Funding (Social Impact Incentives/SIINC and Impact-Ready Matching Fund/IRMF); and (3) Knowledge products (Innovative Finance Toolkit, Impact Measurement and Management Toolkit, and Climate Finance Navigator Toolkit). The programme is offered free of charge to qualifying impact enterprises and is funded by the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, implemented by Roots of Impact GmbH and LightCastle Partners.

Product overview

Biniyog Briddhi (B-Briddhi) is a gender-inclusive programme for scaling impact enterprises in Bangladesh, implemented by Roots of Impact and LightCastle Partners with support from Switzerland. The programme offers a multi-pillar approach consisting of Capacity Building (Train-the-Trainer, Voucher Scheme, TOC-TOC, IMM Readiness Bootcamp), Catalytic Funding (Social Impact Incentives/SIINC, Impact Ready Matching Fund/IRMF), and Knowledge products (Innovative Finance Toolkit, Impact Measurement and Management Toolkit, Climate Finance Navigator Toolkit). Phase II (2024-2027) introduces enhanced collaboration, a funnel approach for extended support journeys, and the Theory of Change Card Game for earlier-stage enterprises.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Innovative Finance Toolkit

Quantifiable outcome

• 11 catalytic fundings closed since programme inception using SIINC and IRMF instruments
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered moderate, minor and core.

• IDLC Venture Capital Fund ImoderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025IDLC Venture Capital Fund I, represented by Partner Mustafizur Rahman Khan, contributed to the November 2025 Entrepreneurs Circle #4 on corporate governance, sharing investor perspectives on governance frameworks for startups and impact enterprises.
• ANDE East and Southeast AsiamoderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025ANDE E&SEA hosted the Asia SGB Finance Series in June 2025 featuring B-Briddhi's impact ecosystem model. The session on Impact-Linked Finance was part of a broader knowledge-sharing initiative to scale ILF approaches across Asia.
• Truvalu EnterprisesmoderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Truvalu Enterprises is a Phase II Gender Lens Investing (GLI) partner working with B-Briddhi to mainstream international GLI practices in Bangladesh's impact investing landscape. Together they are developing an IMM Handbook on Gender Lens Investing reflecting local ecosystem needs and sustainable solutions.
• Acumen Academy BangladeshmoderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Acumen Academy Bangladesh, led by founder Ayeleen Ajanee, facilitated an adaptive leadership workshop for 44 participants from 29 enterprises during a September 2023 ecosystem excursion. The partnership contributed to Phase II programme design using Theory of Change frameworks.
• Rural Reconstruction Foundation (RRF)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023RRF participated in the 2023 Khulna mission, showcasing community development approaches with a focus on women and farmers. RRF represents one of several local NGO partners extending B-Briddhi's reach beyond major cities.
• Community Development Center (CODEC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023CODEC engaged with B-Briddhi during the Khulna mission to share community development activities and explore opportunities for scalable enterprise solutions in the region.
• Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023KUET student groups pitched startup ideas during the 2023 Khulna mission, representing the pipeline of future impact enterprises that B-Briddhi aims to support.
• Startup KhulnaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Startup Khulna, a local startup community with 11 member organisations across sectors including logistics and healthcare, participated in the 2023 Khulna mission, raising awareness about the B-Briddhi programme and identifying collaboration opportunities.
• The Legal CircleminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023The Legal Circle (Founder and Managing Partner Anita Ghazi Rahman) participated in the December 2021 GLI panel, contributing legal and regulatory perspectives on gender inclusion in Bangladesh's investment ecosystem.
• Startup ChattogramminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Startup Chattogram co-hosted a March 2022 workshop with B-Briddhi to introduce impact entrepreneurship and impact capital concepts in Chittagong. Led by Arafatul Islam Akib (Founder & CEO), the partnership extended B-Briddhi's ecosystem engagement beyond Dhaka.
• National Advisory Board of Impact Investing (NAB) in BangladeshmoderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022B-Briddhi has engaged in advocacy with the NAB to raise awareness of best-practice impact investing and advocate for IMM regulatory frameworks conducive to scaling Bangladesh's impact ecosystem. This cooperation produced the Bangladesh Impact Investment Strategy and Action Plan (BIISAP) report.
• Bangladesh AngelscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Bangladesh Angels Network, led by CEO Nirjhor Rahman, collaborates with B-Briddhi on gender lens investing workshops and investor ecosystem development. The network includes a dedicated Bangladesh Women Angels Network (BWAN) chapter focused on female-led enterprises. B-Briddhi has partnered with Bangladesh Angels for workshops in Dhaka and Chittagong.
• BRACmoderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021BRAC is a key local partner for B-Briddhi's ecosystem development activities in Bangladesh. BRAC Khulna participated in the 2023 Khulna mission, and BRAC has collaborated with programme-supported enterprises (e.g., HelloTask) on training domestic workers and RMG factory workers.
• OXFAMminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021OXFAM has partnered with programme-supported enterprise HelloTask to provide training and certification to domestic workers under the 'Securing Rights of Women Domestic Workers in Bangladesh' project, supported by NSDA certification.
• World BankminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021The World Bank has collaborated with HelloTask to formalise the care economy and provide skills training to domestic helpers, aligning with B-Briddhi's broader ecosystem support objectives.
• National Skill Development Authority (NSDA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021NSDA partners with B-Briddhi-supported enterprises to provide certification for trained domestic workers, supporting dignified work standards.
• Praava HealthminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Praava Health (Founder, Chair & CEO Sylvana Q. Sinha) participated in the December 2021 GLI panel, sharing insights on challenges faced by female founders in raising investment and the importance of building supportive ecosystems.
• Roots of ImpactcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2020Roots of Impact is the primary implementing partner responsible for programme design, knowledge development, and technical assistance. Through its Social Finance Academy arm, Roots of Impact delivers IMM training, innovative finance expertise, and ILF instrument design. The programme team includes Maxime Cheng (Lead Market & Capacity Building Programs), Adrija Das (Manager, Impact Management), Jordan Wolken (Senior Associate, Impact Management), and Melanie Rodriguez Siow (IMM Trainer).
• LightCastle PartnerscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2020LightCastle Partners is the Bangladesh-based implementing partner providing local ecosystem expertise, market intelligence, and stakeholder engagement. Led by Bijon Islam (CEO), the team coordinates on-the-ground programme activities, investor relationships, and ecosystem development. LightCastle also contributes strategic insights through research and market analysis.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Acumen: Acumen is a global impact investor and enterprise builder supporting mission-driven businesses in South Asia and Africa through patient capital and capacity building. Directly comparable to B-Briddhi's "build and fund impact enterprises" model but operating at significantly larger global scale and longevity.
• Swisscontact: Swisscontact is a Swiss foundation for development cooperation running private-sector-focused capacity-building and inclusive business programmes across Asia and Africa. Most structurally comparable to B-Briddhi as a fellow Swiss-funded bilateral development actor with entrepreneur-training and MSME financial-inclusion mandates.
• BRAC Enterprises: BRAC operates social enterprise programmes and impact investment-adjacent initiatives across Bangladesh serving RMG workers, MSMEs, and low-income women. Comparable as a Bangladesh-rooted ecosystem builder convening investors, NGOs, and enterprises — though at vastly larger scale than B-Briddhi.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit): GIZ is the German federal development agency running bilateral enterprise and financial-inclusion programmes in Bangladesh (e.g., PDF, SCiBN). Comparable as a government-funded bilateral development agency delivering capacity building and inclusive business programming in the same country context.
• Shell Foundation: Shell Foundation is a UK-based foundation investing in market-based solutions and supporting enterprise-building in emerging markets. Comparable as a foundation-backed enabler combining catalytic grant funding, capacity building, and ecosystem convening for impact enterprises.
• FMO (Dutch Development Bank): FMO is a Dutch bilateral development finance institution running blended finance vehicles and venture capital programmes for inclusive businesses in emerging markets. Comparable mission through catalytic funding instruments and capacity building for impact enterprises, though at materially larger balance sheet scale.

Others

• Roots of Impact: Roots of Impact GmbH is the German implementing partner behind Biniyog Briddhi and runs parallel ILF and IMM programmes in other geographies (LATAM, Africa, SE Asia). Strongly comparable as the parent's portfolio of similar bilateral development programmes.

Direct peers

• LightCastle Partners: LightCastle Partners is the Bangladesh-based co-implementer of B-Briddhi and a local management consulting and data analytics firm focused on Bangladesh's social enterprise and SME ecosystem. Directly comparable given shared programme operations, ecosystem engagement, and capacity-building delivery in the same country.
• Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE): ANDE is a global network supporting small and growing business (SGB) finance ecosystems with chapters in South Asia. Directly comparable: ANDE hosted B-Briddhi in its 2025 Asia SGB Finance Series, and both operate as ecosystem-convening intermediaries between investors, capacity builders, and impact enterprises.

Regional players

• Aavishkaar Capital: Aavishkaar Capital is a South Asia-focused impact fund manager investing in early-stage enterprises in India and Bangladesh. Comparable because B-Briddhi's catalytic funding pipeline (SIINC, IRMF) effectively funnels enterprises into the same investor class that Aavishkaar represents across the region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Biniyog Briddhi