iSocial

What iSocial does

iSocial is a Dhaka-based for-profit social enterprise founded in 2016 that builds and operates a network of women micro-entrepreneurs at the Base of the Pyramid in Bangladesh, alongside research and skills development services for government, corporates, and development agencies. The company structures its work around three wholly-owned Strategic Business Units: DataSense (research, management consultancy, and data intelligence), iSkill (skills development marketplace and TVET digital transformation), and Junction (entrepreneurship development, incubation, IPR and incorporation services). Its service lines span B2B and B2G research and consultancy, donor-funded project implementation in partnership with organizations such as UNCDF, ILO, UNDP, USAID, and DANIDA, and skills training delivered through digital and blended channels.

The technology stack underpinning iSocial's operations includes the Kallyani app for women micro-merchants managing digital transactions and supply chain connectivity, the Shujog/Shujog Connect digital marketplace linking micro-entrepreneurs to FMCG companies and financial service providers, the iskill.one learning management system for digital skills training, and a Data Hub platform used by Technology Enabled Girl Ambassadors (TEGAs) for smartphone-based qualitative and quantitative data collection. iSocial maintains a network of 2,000+ research freelancers nationwide, 123 Female Sales Agents integrated into the Kallyani network, and 120 Last Mile Sales Agents across USAID BNA districts, with documented outcomes including a 33% income increase for female retailers in the Pushti Ambassador Partnership and growth of average monthly Kallyani income from BDT 500 to BDT 7,000.

iSocial's revenue model is predominantly professional services and project-based, with disclosed B2B revenue of BDT 57,770,281 (43% gross margin) from the UNCDF University Innovation Hub Program, supplemented by grant-funded project implementation, training program fees, and recurring subscriptions through the iSkill platform. The company is privately held with no disclosed institutional funding beyond a 2016 Spring Accelerator entry, is led by CEO and Chairperson Dr. Ananya Raihan (a core member of the Bangladesh Labour Reform Commission), and serves a client base spanning the Government of Bangladesh (a2i, ICT Division, Cabinet Division), multilaterals (UNCDF, ILO, UNDP), corporates (Arla Foods, Bank Asia, The Business Standard), and social sector organizations (USAID, iDE, Girl Effect, BILS).

Name

iSocial

Legal name

iSocial

Website

https://isocial.com.bd

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

iSocial is a Dhaka-based for-profit social enterprise operating three SBUs (DataSense research, iSkill training, Junction incubation) and digital platforms (Kallyani, Shujog) to build women micro-entrepreneur networks and deliver research and skills services to Bangladesh government, development agencies, and corporates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Enterprise Consulting and Inclusive Development Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Computer Training (611420)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Internship/Apprenticeship Matching & Work-Based Learning Platforms (EDAFAMAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL), Fair Trade & Ethical Supply Chains (Certification, Traceability, Producer Support) (BPAGALAL), Digital Skills & Tech Upskilling (Noncredit) (EDAAAEAE)

Keywords

• Social enterprise consulting
• Women entrepreneurship development
• Digital financial inclusion
• Skills development platform
• Research and policy advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Dhaka

HQ country

Bangladesh

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. B2B and B2G Research and Consultancy: DataSense, the strategic business unit of iSocial, provides research, management consultancy, and data intelligence services to corporations, non-profits, development agencies, and the Government of Bangladesh. Revenue is generated through project-based consultancy fees, research contracts, and impact assessments. The company generated BDT 57,770,281 in B2B services revenue from the UIHP project with 43% gross margin.
2. Project Implementation and Grant Funding: iSocial implements donor-funded development projects in partnership with international organizations (UNCDF, ILO, UNDP, USAID, DANIDA). Revenue comes from project implementation fees, administrative costs, and grant funding for social impact initiatives focused on women empowerment, digital inclusion, and labor market research.
3. Skills Development and Training: iSkill SBU provides marketplace of skills development connecting trainers with trainees. Revenue generated through training program fees, course enrollments, and partnerships with institutions for skills assessment and job placement services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

iSocial is a for-profit social enterprise that builds and supports a network of women micro-entrepreneurs at the base of the pyramid in Bangladesh through three integrated Strategic Business Units: DataSense delivers research, management consultancy, and data-intelligence services to government, corporations, and development agencies; iSkill runs a skills-development marketplace with TVET digital transformation and job placement; and Junction provides non-cohort entrepreneurship incubation, IPR, and incorporation support. Core delivery is enabled by proprietary digital platforms including the Kallyani app, Shujog/Shujog Connect supply-chain and credit platform, Shujog Learn e-learning, and the iskill.one learning management system.

Product overview

iSocial is a for-profit social enterprise with three core Strategic Business Units (SBUs): DataSense (research and data intelligence), iSkill (skills development marketplace), and Junction (entrepreneurship development platform). These units deliver solutions through digital platforms including Kallyani (women micro-merchant app), Shujog (micro-merchant ecosystem platform with Shujog Learn e-learning), and specialized networks like TEGA (Technology Enabled Girl Ambassadors) and the Female Sales Agent Model. The organization focuses on inclusive development through data-driven insights, digital solutions, and strategic policy advocacy, serving BoP markets, TVET, women entrepreneurship, and the platform economy across Bangladesh.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DataSense: Strategic business unit (SBU) of iSocial providing research, management consultancy, and data intelligence services to private and public sector clients including Government of Bangladesh, corporations, non-profits, and development agencies. Specializes in digital economy, labour economy, labour migration, technology, climate change, and gender.
• iSkill
• Junction
• Kallyani
• Shujog

Products and services

• DataSense Strategic business unit delivering research, management consultancy, and data-intelligence services to government, corporations, non-profits, and development agencies across digital economy, labour economy, labour migration, technology, climate change, and gender.
• iSkill Skills-development marketplace that connects trainers with trainees and supports TVET digital transformation, blended learning, job placement through skills assessment, and policy entrepreneurship in the skills landscape.
• Junction Entrepreneurship-development platform offering non-cohort, need-based incubation, IPR and incorporation services, R&D facilitation, and strategic ecosystem partnerships for startups, researchers, and students.
• Kallyani Digital platform and operating model for women micro-entrepreneurs enabling digital transactions, financial inclusion, and business management for daily operations of Women Micro-Merchants (WMMs).
• Shujog Digital platform for the micro-merchant ecosystem and women business networks, providing supply-chain integration, digital payment systems, and online training through the Shujog Learn module.

Quantifiable outcome

• Women's monthly income increased from BDT 500 to BDT 7,000 through micro-merchant program
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Centre for a Smart Future (CSF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Co-organized webinar on platform-mediated gig work in Asia with researchers and policy experts from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and UK. Contribution to ILO International Labour Conference discussions.
• The Business Standard (TBS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Economic Intelligence Bangladesh (EIB) research initiative partnership providing data-driven economic insights and macroeconomic intelligence. iSocial's DataSense contributes research expertise to monthly publication.
• Ognie (MeyeNetwork)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Pro bono consultancy partnership for business plan development of feminist grassroots organizing platform with 8,000 community members. Identified revenue streams and incorporation pathways. Started March 2025.
• Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024iSocial team member Dr. Ananya Raihan served as core member of Labour Reform Commission led by BILS Executive Director Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed. iSocial managed website and social media communications.
• Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme, ICT Division, Government of BangladeshcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 February 2024Smart Bangladesh Situation Analysis project to identify indicators and baseline situation for SMART Bangladesh Vision 2041. Partnership with Cabinet Division and UNDP Bangladesh for comprehensive nationwide analysis.
• Fairwork (Oxford Internet Institute)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023DataSense team arranged Fairwork Bangladesh Ratings 2023 workshop on fair platform economy practices. Stakeholder engagement on labor practices in Bangladesh's gig economy.
• Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 May 2022Eighth Five Year Plan Action Plan development for paradigm shift in overseas employment and remittance sector. Consultancy for institutional and legal reform recommendations.
• iDE BangladeshcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2021Uddokta project creating market-based economic opportunities for women through Women Sales Agent network in Sylhet region. 244 women micro-entrepreneurs developed with training and supply chain connections.
• ShimantiksupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2021Local NGO partner in Sylhet for Uddokta project field implementation, facilitating hub office establishment and supply chain management in collaboration with iSocial.
• International Labour Organization (ILO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Rapid assessment on impact of COVID-19 on labour migration governance, recruitment practices, and migrant workers for Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment. Project timeline January-March 2021.
• USAID Feed the Future Bangladesh Nutrition ActivitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Implemented by Abt Associates Inc, iSocial developed sustainable network of women micro-entrepreneurs for promoting nutrition and WASH products. Established 120 Last Mile Sales Agents across 6 Upazilas in Faridpur and Patuakhali districts.
• ICT Division, Government of BangladeshcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2020Post COVID-19 National ICT Roadmap development project with multiple partners including Windmill Advertising, LightCastle Partners, Innovision Consulting, Startup Bangladesh Limited, University of Dhaka. Project ran January 2020-April 2021.
• Bank AsiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2019Financial inclusion partnership providing trade credit (50% of eligible monthly turnover) and cash credit (BDT 50,000-200,000) for women micro-entrepreneurs in the Kallyani network.
• Arla FoodscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2019Pushti Ambassador Partnership (July 2019-December 2023) funded by DANIDA. Commercial partner for affordable dairy nutrition (Dano Daily Pushti) distribution through women micro-entrepreneur network. Reaches 57+ million low-income consumers.
• BoP InccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2019Lead non-commercial partner in Pushti Ambassador Partnership, bringing expertise in BoP marketing and distribution. Collaborated on financial viability testing and pilot programs for female retailer onboarding.
• DNetsupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 July 2019Supported recruitment and training program for Pushti Ambassador Partnership, leveraging existing technology platforms for field operations and data collection.
• UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 January 2019UIHP project partnership to implement business model combining digital technologies with training, skilling, and business development support to build women business networks of digital financial services. Project ran January 2019 to September 2020 in Sirajganj and Sherpur districts.
• WEESMS ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Women's Economic Empowerment through Strengthening Market System project in Jashore and Rangpur. IDE as lead partner, iSocial as implementation partner creating women entrepreneur network through digitally enabled supply chain.
• The Girl EffectsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2017TEGA (Technology Enabled Girl Ambassadors) project creating network of women community-based digitally enabled researchers for data collection on adolescent girls. Project timeline December 2017-March 2021.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• bKash: bKash is the dominant mobile financial services platform in Bangladesh and a critical enabler of the digital payments layer that iSocial's Kallyani/Shujog ecosystem depends on. Operates at vastly greater scale within the same BoP digital inclusion theme.
• Grameenphone (Telenor): Grameenphone is Bangladesh's largest mobile operator and a social-impact-aligned business (originated from Grameen Telecom) that drives digital financial inclusion and rural connectivity — closely aligned with iSocial's Kallyani digital payment and micro-merchant thesis.
• BRAC: BRAC is the world's largest NGO and a major social enterprise operating in Bangladesh with deep programs in microfinance, women's empowerment, skills development (BRAC Skills Development Programme), and social enterprise incubation — directly overlapping iSocial's BoP entrepreneur and skills development focus.
• Grameen (Nobin Dhara / Grameen Telecom): The Grameen family of social enterprises pioneered microcredit and village-phone BoP entrepreneurship models globally. Direct philosophical and methodological precedent for iSocial's women micro-entrepreneur network.

Direct peers

• LightCastle Partners: LightCastle Partners is a Bangladesh-based management consultancy and data analytics firm that partnered with iSocial on the Post COVID-19 National ICT Roadmap project. Directly comparable as a B2B/B2G research and strategy consultancy serving development agencies and government in Bangladesh.
• Bopinc: BoP Inc is a Dutch-based social enterprise specializing in inclusive business and BoP marketing/distribution, and is an active partner of iSocial on the Pushti Ambassador Partnership. Operates the same commercial-BoP distribution thesis at global scale.
• Dnet: Dnet is a Bangladeshi social enterprise using technology for development and is an active iSocial partner on the Pushti Ambassador Partnership. Both organizations focus on digital inclusion, women micro-entrepreneurs, and technology-enabled field operations in Bangladesh.
• iDE Bangladesh: iDE is a global social enterprise building market-based solutions for the rural poor and is an active iSocial partner in Bangladesh (Uddokta project in Sylhet, WEESMS in Jashore/Rangpur). Operates a near-identical Women Sales Agent model and BoP last-mile distribution approach.

Others

• Fairwork (Oxford Internet Institute): Fairwork is an Oxford-based research initiative rating digital labour platforms that partnered with iSocial on the Bangladesh Ratings 2023 workshop. Comparable as a research-and-policy organization focused on platform/gig economy labour standards, mirroring DataSense's policy-research focus.

Regional players

• Innovision Consulting: Innovision is a Bangladesh-based consultancy that partnered with iSocial on the Post COVID-19 National ICT Roadmap. Comparable as a small B2B/B2G policy and technology consultancy serving ICT Division and development partners in Bangladesh.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/infoladybd
• Facebookfacebook.com/isocialbd
• LinkedInbd.linkedin.com/company/isocial-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about iSocial