Dark Kak, a Bangladeshi tech startup that works with Augmented Reality (AR) with the Internet of Things (IoT), has won an award for their upcoming project ‘Smart Jewellery’. The award, titled ‘Catalyzing Women’s Entrepreneurship Award’, was presented by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) at the She Loves Tech 2023 conference held at the Fairmont Hotel in Singapore. Dark Kak was entitled to a 15,000 USD cash prize from UN ESCAP and She Loves Tech.

The local startup scene is experiencing notable downward shifts in funding trends, even as the global startup ecosystem indicates slight growth. On a global scale, startup investments have risen marginally by 7%, totalling a formidable USD 73 billion in the third quarter of this year. But funding in Bangladesh plummeted to a mere USD 4.0 million in Q3 2023, a drastic 77% decline in comparison to the same period last year. This trend was revealed in the recently released Bangladesh Startup Investment Report for Q3 2023 by LightCastle Partners.

Arogga, a local medicine delivery startup, has recently raised US$5.5 million seed in a funding round led by The Venture Collective, a US-based venture capital firm, with participation from other international investors. As per an official press release, the startup secured $4 million in new capital, building on the $1.5 million raised in the previous year.

The globally acclaimed business show, 'Shark Tank', which has aired in over 40 countries, is set to have a localised version in Bangladesh. Sony Pictures Entertainment and Bongo has inked a deal to introduce the popular reality show in the country with Robi on board as the 'Title Sponsor', supported by Startup Bangladesh as the 'Powered by' collaborator.

Pathao, the popular on-demand digital platform, has been chosen as one of the top 40 global technology firms that are outperforming their Western counterparts. The list was prepared by Rest of World, a New York-based tech-focused news publication founded by Sophie Schmidt, the daughter of former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.

Delivery Hero, the Berlin-based parent company of Foodpanda, has confirmed ongoing discussions about a partial sale of its Asian operations. Singapore's tech giant, Grab, is reportedly the front-runner in this potential acquisition. While the exact value of the deal remains undisclosed, market insiders speculate that the transaction could exceed 1 billion euros for the Foodpanda brand across several Southeast Asian nations.

MedEasy, a Dhaka-based online pharmacy startup, has successfully closed a seed funding round, raising $750,000. The investment is aimed at expanding its services and bridging the healthcare gap for Bangladesh’s 30 million chronic patients. The funding round was led by Seedstars International Ventures, Doha Tech Angels, Startup Bangladesh Limited, Accelerating Asia, and nVentures, with additional participation from various angel investors.

Two Bangladeshis have been listed in the Vogue Business 100 Innovators for the year 2023.

The Bangladesh Women Investors Network (BWIN) is launching an initiative called Bloom Fellowship that aims to equip young women with skills and knowledge required to perform in startup environments. It is a semester-long talent accelerator program with curated mentorship, training, and internships designed towards Bangladeshi women between the ages of 20 and 24.

Nabanita Nawar, a Bangladeshi researcher and entrepreneur residing in Canada, has been featured in the Forbes’ ‘30 Under 30 Local: Toronto’ list. This is the popular business magazine’s first-ever list of this kind, and she is the only Bangladeshi to be featured.

Zatiq, a local startup, has recently raised $1.6 mil in a pre-seed funding round led by Dekko ISHO Venture Capital (DIVC), as per a press release. The round was also participated by local and foreign angel investors.

In a riveting fireside chat during the second day of the Bangladesh Startup Summit, attendees were treated to an exclusive virtual conversation with Jaan Tallinn, the co-founder of Skype and a thought leader in the field of artificial intelligence (AI).

On the second day of the Bangladesh Startup Summit, a panel of distinguished experts convened to discuss the question, "Why Invest in Bangladesh?" The session aimed to highlight the country's appeal as an investment destination and explore the various opportunities it offers.

The first-ever two-day Bangladesh Startup Summit 2023 began today, under the theme 'Smart Bangladesh, Endless Possibilities'. Over 100 global venture capital investors, 100 international-level speakers, and 600 startups are attending the Bangladesh Startup Summit 2023, with sessions covering topics such as edutech, healthtech, fintech, software services, and startup investment.

The popularity of bicycles has grown manifold in the last decade among Bangladeshi youth, and so has the need for a bike-rental service, such as JoBike - which is set to return soon. Let's take a look at Bangladesh's first bicycle rental service, why they closed down, and how they plan to relaunch.

In a recent analysis by market intelligence firm PrivateCircle, it has been revealed that the investors on "Shark Tank India" failed to fulfill a significant portion of their investment promises made during the show's inaugural season. The report highlights concerns over the show's credibility and raises questions about the efficacy of the investors' commitments.

We present five indispensable books that every startup founder should read. These literary gems offer profound wisdom, practical advice, and valuable perspectives from seasoned entrepreneurs, business leaders, and thought-provoking thinkers.

From crafting a compelling business plan to attracting investors, this article serves as your roadmap to financial success.

As per the MoU, the two companies will jointly manufacture environment-friendly electric bikes in the country to improve the riding experience for local customers. The partnership also plans to improve the e-bike industry in Bangladesh through the introduction of technologically advanced products. 

Despite being a relatively nascent concept in the country, digital health bears the potential to fundamentally redefine healthcare access for Bangladesh's 160 million residents, making healthcare available within the palm of their hands.