Missing link in startup ecosystem investors

Bangladesh's startup ecosystem is buzzing with potential. From fintech and e-commerce to health-tech, young entrepreneurs are demonstrating remarkable creativity, resilience, and ambition. Startups are tackling real-world problems and bringing innovative solutions to the market. Yet, despite this energy, a critical barrier continues to slow progress: the lack of local investors.

Currently, most Bangladeshi startups rely heavily on foreign venture capital or international angel investors. While this brings in global expertise and exposure, it also leaves our entrepreneurs vulnerable to shifting foreign priorities. Many promising ideas struggle to survive because founders cannot access initial seed funding or growth capital locally. Without a strong domestic investment network, innovation remains underfunded, and the nation risks losing out on homegrown success stories.

Encouraging local investors is not just about capital; it is about fostering trust, ownership, and a sense of responsibility for Bangladesh's innovation journey. Banks, corporate houses, and high-net-worth individuals should be incentivised to support startups through tax breaks, co-investment schemes, and targeted awareness campaigns. Universities can also contribute by establishing innovation funds or incubators for student entrepreneurs, helping them turn ideas into viable businesses.

If Bangladesh wants to compete with regional innovation hubs like India, Indonesia, and Singapore, it must strengthen its domestic investment ecosystem. Local investors can provide more than money. They can offer mentorship, market access, and long-term commitment, ensuring that startups do not just survive but thrive. By bridging this funding gap, we can empower a generation of entrepreneurs to drive economic growth, job creation, and technological advancement in Bangladesh.

Fatematuj Johora Momota, Student,

North South University

Dhaka, Bangladesh

aminjohoramomota@gmail.com