Ambala Foundation
Ambala Foundation is a Bangladeshi non-profit development organization operating 120+ branches across six districts, providing microcredit to 304,237 families, running development and education programs, and selling proprietary ICT/ERP tools to other NGOs via its Ambala IT social venture.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersDhaka, Bangladesh
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Ambala Foundation does
Ambala Foundation is a private non-profit development organization headquartered in Dhaka, Bangladesh, founded in 1994 by Arif Sikder (originally as Environment Council Bangladesh, rebranded to Ambala Foundation in 2016). It operates a vertically integrated portfolio of programs anchored by a microcredit program that serves 304,237 families with a loan portfolio exceeding 4 billion BDT, supplemented by 210 completed development projects (22 currently active), the Shwapnojatra educational sponsorship program for meritorious students from poor families, and community media via Radio Bikrampur 99.2 FM. The organization runs a network of 120+ branch offices across six districts — Munshiganj, Narayanganj, Comilla, Gazipur, Manikganj, and Dhaka — reaching 2,050,000+ direct and indirect beneficiaries.
Its technology stack consists of two proprietary systems built in-house: Microfin360 (a web-based microfinance management platform deployed since November 2011 across 200+ branches, providing MIS and AIS modules for loan tracking, savings management, and MRA regulatory reporting) and nabaerp365 (an in-house ERP installed November 30, 2013 covering accounting, inventory, HR, fixed assets, and procurement). These tools are used internally and are also resold to other NGOs through social venture Ambala IT, with customers including Dhaka Ahsania Mission and Probhas Society. Ambala IT has additionally partnered with Easy Fintech Limited to launch the 'Surokkha' digital insurance platform.
The business model combines interest income on microcredit loans (the largest revenue stream), philanthropic donations routed through Southeast Bank Ltd., and ancillary income from B2B ICT services and nominal visit fees ($30-$50/day). Go-to-market is community-led, relying on village-level women's group meetings (Mohila Samiti), field officer outreach, and community radio. Strategic partnerships span international development actors (UNICEF, UNDP, Manusher Jonno Foundation), apex microfinance funder PKSF, multiple commercial banks, and the Government of Bangladesh, positioning Ambala as a mid-sized, established NGO-MFI in Bangladesh's development sector.
Ambala Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ambala Foundation
- Legal name
- Ambala Foundation
- Website
- https://ambalafoundation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Ambala Foundation is a Bangladeshi non-profit development organization operating 120+ branches across six districts, providing microcredit to 304,237 families, running development and education programs, and selling proprietary ICT/ERP tools to other NGOs via its Ambala IT social venture.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ambala Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Microfinance and Community Development
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Community Food Services (62421)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Microfinance, Financial Inclusion & Inclusive Markets (BPAGABAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Microloans & Working Capital Loans (FSAKAGAA), Education Access & Quality (International Development) (BPAGABAE), Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK)
Keywords
Where Ambala Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dhaka
- HQ country
- Bangladesh
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices6 records
Markets served
Ambala Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Microfinance Program: Ambala Foundation operates a microcredit program as its core major activity, providing loans to poor families for income-generating activities. The organization has 4+ billion BDT outstanding across its programs and generates revenue through interest on microloans distributed to approximately 304,237 families.
- Donations and Philanthropy: The organization accepts donations through Southeast Bank Ltd. (Account No. 13100000721) and implements philanthropic programs like Shwapnojatra for education support to meritorious students.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | NGO Group Visit Fee |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | NGO Individual Visit Fee |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Academia Group Visit Fee |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Academia Individual Visit Fee |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Commercial Institution Group Visit Fee |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Government and Media |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Ambala Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ambala Foundation delivers microcredit to approximately 304,237 poor and marginalized families in rural Bangladesh with 4+ billion BDT outstanding, alongside community development programs (210 completed projects, 22 ongoing), the Shwapnojatra educational support initiative for poor meritorious students, and community radio broadcasting via Radio Bikrampur 99.2 FM. It also develops and deploys proprietary ICT solutions (Microfin360 and nabaerp365) to manage its operations and license to other NGOs through its social venture Ambala IT.
Product overview
Ambala Foundation is a non-profit development organization (formerly Environment Council Bangladesh) offering a portfolio of interconnected programs focused on poverty alleviation through microfinance, social development, and ICT tools. Core offerings include the Microcredit Program serving approximately 1.9 million beneficiaries with 4+ billion BDT outstanding, Development Programs (210 completed projects), ICT for Development initiatives, and Shwapnojatra educational support program. The organization also operates Radio Bikrampur 99.2 FM community radio station and has developed internal technology solutions including Microfin360 (web-based MIS/automation software since 2011) and nabaerp365 (in-house ERP system since 2013) for managing its operations across 200+ branches. These technology tools are used internally to manage financial and programmatic activities rather than being sold as products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Microcredit Program Core microcredit lending program of Ambala Foundation providing small loans to poor and marginalized families in rural Bangladesh for income-generating activities such as poultry rearing, beef fattening, and small businesses. Serves approximately 304,237 families with 4+ billion BDT outstanding.
- Development Programs Social and community development programs covering health, human rights, environment, women empowerment, tobacco control, and marginalized community support. 210 development projects completed with 22 currently running.
- Shwapnojatra Educational Support Program Philanthropic program supporting poor but meritorious students with complete educational responsibilities from start to finish, helping them continue education regardless of family financial status.
- Radio Bikrampur 99.2 FM Community radio station broadcasting from Munshiganj district serving marginalized communities, with programming on adolescent reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, STI, human rights, child rights, women rights, education, health and nutrition, tobacco control, early marriage, agriculture, and business.
- Microfin360 Web-based microfinance management software automating MIS and AIS modules for loan installment collection, savings management, member admission/cancellation, loan disbursement tracking, financial reporting, and MRA regulatory compliance reporting. Deployed across 200+ branches and licensed to other NGOs including Probhas Society.
- nabaerp365 (NABA ERP) In-house developed web-based ERP solution providing integrated software for accounting, inventory, HR management, fixed assets management, procurement management, and admin management for donor-funded project financial activities.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2,050,000+ beneficiaries reached with development programs
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Ambala Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Ambala Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Ambala Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and strategic.
- UNICEFcoreInternational development partner supporting child rights and development programs
- UNDPcoreUnited Nations Development Programme partner for development initiatives
- Bangladesh BankmajorCentral bank of Bangladesh, regulatory partner for microfinance operations
- Government of BangladeshcoreGovernment partner for development initiatives; Ministry of Education recognition; programs aligned with government SDG goals
- Easy Fintech LimitedstrategicAmbala IT (social venture of Ambala Foundation) partnered to pioneer digital insurance services through the 'Surokkha' app platform in Bangladesh
- Federation of NGOs in Bangladesh (FNB)majorMember of FNB network for NGO coordination
- Association of Development Agencies in Bangladesh (ADAB)majorMember of ADAB for development coordination
- Credit and Development Forum (CDF)majorMember of CDF for microfinance sector coordination
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Ambala Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- BRAC: BRAC is the world's largest NGO with a major microfinance program and development verticals in Bangladesh. It is the most direct large-scale benchmark for Ambala Foundation's microcredit and community development model, though significantly larger and more diversified.
- Grameen Bank: Grameen Bank pioneered microcredit in Bangladesh and operates one of the largest microfinance portfolios globally. Highly comparable to Ambala Foundation's microcredit program, though operating at vastly larger scale and with a specialized group-lending model.
Direct peers
- ASA (Association for Social Advancement): ASA is one of the largest microfinance NGOs in Bangladesh, serving millions of borrowers. Directly comparable to Ambala Foundation's microcredit core, with a similar target market of poor rural families and a comparable microfinance-led model.
- HEED Bangladesh: HEED Bangladesh is a development NGO operating microfinance, health, and education programs across Bangladesh. Comparable to Ambala Foundation's multi-vertical approach, particularly in rural community development and microcredit.
- Proshika: Proshika is one of Bangladesh's largest development NGOs with a long-standing microcredit and social development portfolio. Comparable to Ambala Foundation's microfinance-plus-development approach, though historically focused on non-formal education and poverty alleviation.
- TMSS: TMSS is a large Bangladeshi NGO operating microfinance alongside education, health, and human rights programs. Directly comparable to Ambala Foundation's multi-vertical development model and rural microcredit focus in Bangladesh.
- BURO Bangladesh: BURO Bangladesh is a major microfinance institution operating across rural Bangladesh with a significant microcredit portfolio. Directly comparable to Ambala Foundation's microfinance program in target market and operating model.
- Dhaka Ahsania Mission: Dhaka Ahsania Mission is a major Bangladeshi NGO offering microfinance, education, and community development programs. Comparable to Ambala Foundation across multiple verticals and is a real customer of Ambala IT's ERP solutions, indicating direct operational overlap.
Emerging players
- Manusher Jonno Foundation: Manusher Jonno Foundation is a leading Bangladesh-based development grantmaker supporting human rights and governance programs. Comparable to Ambala Foundation's rights-based programs and is a direct funding partner, making it both a peer and ecosystem player.
Others
- Palli Karma Shahayak Foundation (PKSF): PKSF is an apex wholesale microfinance fund providing capital to partner NGOs in Bangladesh. While not a direct competitor, it is a critical upstream capital partner of Ambala Foundation and a key institutional comparable in the microfinance ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ambala Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceAmbala Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ambala Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Ambala Foundation subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Ambala Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ambala Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ambala Foundation
What does Ambala Foundation do?
Ambala Foundation delivers microcredit to approximately 304,237 poor and marginalized families in rural Bangladesh with 4+ billion BDT outstanding, alongside community development programs (210 completed projects, 22 ongoing), the Shwapnojatra educational support initiative for poor meritorious students, and community radio broadcasting via Radio Bikrampur 99.2 FM. It also develops and deploys proprietary ICT solutions (Microfin360 and nabaerp365) to manage its operations and license to other NGOs through its social venture Ambala IT.
Is Ambala Foundation a public or private company?
Ambala Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Ambala Foundation founded?
Ambala Foundation was founded in 1994. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ambala Foundation based?
Ambala Foundation is headquartered in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in the Asia region.
How does Ambala Foundation make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Microfinance Program is the primary driver. The others are donations and Philanthropy.
Who are Ambala Foundation's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are BRAC and Grameen Bank. Direct peers are ASA (Association for Social Advancement), HEED Bangladesh, Proshika, TMSS, BURO Bangladesh and Dhaka Ahsania Mission. Manusher Jonno Foundation is listed as an emerging player. Palli Karma Shahayak Foundation (PKSF) is listed as an others.
Does Ambala Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ambala Foundation.
What industry is Ambala Foundation in?
Ambala Foundation's product category is Microfinance and Community Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGABAM, Microfinance, Financial Inclusion & Inclusive Markets, with a secondary code of FSAKAGAA, Microloans & Working Capital Loans. Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 6159.