In this edition:
A Message from our Partner: AmarLab
AmarLab provides at-home diagnostic services in a highly safe and secure manner — from sample collection to testing to report delivery. Especially in a deteriorating coronavirus outbreak because of the omicron variant, AmarLab provides you with the facility of corona test at home without any hassle.
So a suspected patient can get rid of the risk of getting infected while standing in the Covid-19 test line. Currently, AmarLab conducts both RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen tests through their covid testing partners.
Taking AmarLab service is simple. Call their hotline number (09643445566), or give a message on their Facebook Messenger or go to AmarLab website, and book your Covid-19 test. Learn more.
10 Minute School Raises $2m in Seed Funding from Sequoia’s Surge
Dhaka-based ed-tech startup 10 Minute School announced that it has raised $2 million in a seed funding round led by Sequoia Capital’s Surge. This is Sequoia India’s second investment in Bangladesh and first investment in a Bangladeshi ed-tech startup. Previously, the venture capital firm invested in B2B commerce startup ShopUp. Read.
On Building Halda Valley Food and Beverage Ltd, Entrepreneurship, and Life: Shamim Khan
Shamim Khan is the Founder and Managing Director of Halda Valley Food and Beverage Ltd. In this wide-ranging interview, Mr. Shamim talks about his path to entrepreneurship, the difficulties he encountered in transforming from a doctor to a full-time entrepreneur, how Halda Valley came into being, the early days of building the company, delves into the making of Halda Valley Food and Beverage and how the company has grown from a typical tea manufacturer to a prominent tea brand with a unique concentration in specialty teas, how the company established its competitive edge in the market, and much more. Read.
Transforming SME Lending Landscape in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has close to 7.9 million small and medium enterprises. The sector makes up approximately 25 percent of the country's economy. SMEs combinedly generate 40 percent of the overall employment, are responsible for 11% of the industrial establishments, and 40% of the total industrial output in Bangladesh. However, the sector is far from realizing its full potential. Read.
Chaldal, the leading online grocery startup in Bangladesh, announced that it has expanded its delivery service of the daily essentials to Sylhet. The announcement, which came three days ago, means customers in Sylhet can now order groceries and essential products such as fish, meat, rice, pulses, fresh vegetables and fruits, baby diapers, pet food, etc. Read.
EdTech Startup Shikho Buys Online Coding Platform Mainly Coding
Shikho, the pioneering Bangladeshi education technology startup, has acquired Mainly Coding, a platform that focuses on the practical aspects of learning how to code, per a press release. The all-cash deal marks Shikho’s second acquisition in the last two months. Read.
SWAP Goes Omni-channel, Opens First SWAP Premium Outlet
SWAP, the Dhaka-based re-commerce startup, has made its foray into brick-and-mortar retail with its inaugural store being launched last week in the city’s Bashundhara city shopping mall. The move comes as the company prepares to pursue an ambitious strategy to build an omnichannel recommence business. Read.
Future Startup Marketing Solutions. Create your compelling brand story. Connect with the most influential audience in business and tech in Bangladesh. We are taking partners for 2022. Learn more here or simply reply to this email.
Interesting reads
Zhang Yiming’s Last Speech. Link.
Tell Me a Story. Link.
Silicon Valley’s New Obsession. Link
Book: The rhythm of life. Link
Classifieds
AmarLab brings the diagnostic lab to the doorsteps of people in urgent need of medical tests. The company has partnered with reputed diagnostic centers with an ambition to make healthcare easily accessible to everyone, everywhere. Learn more.
Future Startup Content Marketing Service: Tell your compelling brand story. Connect with the most influential audience in business and tech in Bangladesh. Learn more.
