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The Making of Hubxpert and Lessons in Entrepreneurship: An Interview with Ratul Rahman, Founder and CEO, Hubxpert

Ratul Rahman is the founder and CEO of Hubxpert, a Dhaka-based HubSpot Platinum Partner, that has carved out a niche in the competitive world of customer relationship management (CRM) and digital transformation. Mr. Ratul, a self-taught entrepreneur with a background in accounting, has grown the company from a small team experimenting with HubSpot implementations to a full-service agency serving clients across the globe. We recently had an opportunity to sit down with Mr. Ratul to talk about his personal journey and his experience of building Hubxpert. 

In this second and final part of our conversation, Mr. Ratul discusses Hubxpert’s growth trajectory, its current position in the CRM and digital transformation industry, and its future aspirations. He explains how Hubxpert has structured its teams—RevOps, DevOps, and WebOps—to deliver high-quality services and maintain a strong company culture. Mr. Ratul also shares insights into the challenges of managing rapid growth, maintaining quality, and building a global brand. He outlines Hubxpert’s short-term goals, such as becoming a HubSpot Diamond Partner and expanding its presence in Bangladesh, and long-term ambitions to become a leading player in the APAC region. Finally, Mr. Ratul reflects on the importance of staying grounded, cultivating relationships, and continuously learning to drive personal and professional growth.

This was a much longer interview that we are publishing in two parts. This is part two. You can read part one here

Ruhul: This is a beautiful story. In many ways, 2024 was an incredibly busy and transformative year for you all. A lot happened—growth, team-building, and structural changes. There are several aspects I’d like to explore, so let me ask one question at a time. I have two or three questions in mind, and I’ll group them together. First, what were the key factors that contributed to your initial growth? What helped you achieve that growth? Second, with rapid growth come challenges—management, structuring the company, maintaining culture, and ensuring the organization stays aligned with its core values. How did you manage these challenges to sustain your growth? So, the first question is about what drove your growth, and the second is about how you managed the challenges that come with scaling.

Ratul: Sure. Let’s start with what contributed most to our growth. I’d say it was hard work—plain and simple. In 2024, our team became quite strong, but as a founder, I had to put in a lot of effort. With a team of 24 people handling client communications and service delivery, I still had to wear multiple hats. I worked on sales, client conversions, and sometimes even client delivery. If a client wasn’t happy with the work, I’d sit down with them to explain and resolve the issue. So, in 2024, we were very much a founder-led company, where a lot depended on me.

While it was necessary in 2024, my goal in 2025 is to reduce this dependency significantly. We didn’t have a dedicated sales and marketing team, so I had to step in. I managed to build a solid delivery team, but we didn’t have the budget to create a full-fledged marketing and sales team. As a result, I was deeply involved in delivery, company culture, hiring, and even strategic decisions like app development and office expansion. It was a lot of work, but we pulled it off through persistence, openness to learning, and a lot of hard effort. 

We made mistakes along the way, but we were quick to learn and adapt. If we identified a need, we implemented it immediately. This agility and willingness to improve were crucial to our growth. Most importantly, we worked very hard. 

Now, regarding structure and culture, these were significant challenges. Initially, we didn’t have a clear structure, and the one we tried didn’t work. Within a month, we dismantled it and created a new, more effective structure. Maintaining culture during rapid growth is undoubtedly tough.

At the start of 2025, we organized a family tour with the entire team and their spouses. This year, we took about 20-22 team members to Sreemangal for a two-to-three-night trip. Culture isn’t just about trips, though—it’s about everything. It’s about how we interact, our values, and the environment we create. Maintaining and handling it is still challenging. The bigger the team gets, the harder it is to maintain culture. 

The Making of Hubxpert and Lessons in Entrepreneurship: An Interview with Ratul Rahman, Founder and CEO, Hubxpert
Part of the Hubxpert Team in an office tour

For example, We prioritize a professional and growth-oriented work environment where team collaboration and continuous learning are encouraged. If someone makes a mistake, we guide them gently. It’s these little things—how we connect, build relationships, and host events—that keep our culture strong and positive.

The challenge is that as the team grows, maintaining this culture becomes harder. Our HR and admin team put a lot of effort into preserving it. It’s one of our top priorities before scaling further—ensuring that we can maintain our culture as we grow.

As a founder, my goal is to build a team that’s not just large but also capable and productive. I don’t believe a company’s success should be judged by headcount. You could have 500 people and still deliver below-average results, or you could have 50 highly capable individuals doing exceptional work.

We hire interns, but we don’t want to build an intern-based company. We want talented, hardworking individuals who are also happy in their personal lives.

Work-life balance is important to us, and we discourage working outside office hours.

Integrity is non-negotiable—no matter how talented someone is, if they compromise our culture or values, they won’t stay on the team. We take these matters very seriously, even to the point of legal action if necessary.

I don’t believe a company’s success should be judged by headcount. You could have 500 people and still deliver below-average results, or you could have 50 highly capable individuals doing exceptional work.

Ruhul: This is beautifully put. We’ve talked about your journey and the journey of Hubxpert. Now, let’s shift focus to where the company stands today and the services you offer. Now that Hubxpert has grown significantly in terms of products, services, and team size, how do you introduce Hubxpert to someone who doesn’t know about your business or services and who knows?

Ratul: We are a HubSpot Platinum Partner, and we’ve implemented HubSpot in over a hundred projects across various industries.

Our team is structured into three core divisions: RevOps (Revenue Operations), DevOps (Development Operations), and WebOps (Website Operations). This makes us a full-service HubSpot agency. Essentially, if it’s related to HubSpot, we can do it—and we do it well.

If you’re building a startup or a SaaS company and need a system to manage your marketing, sales, and service operations, HubSpot is one of the best solutions in the world for this. We specialize in helping businesses get the most out of their HubSpot investment.

HubSpot is a globally recognized inbound marketing, sales, and service software, so there’s no confusion about its capabilities. However, if there’s any doubt about why HubSpot might be a better choice compared to other software, we’re happy to explain that in detail.

Our main service is HubSpot implementation. HubSpot is a comprehensive platform that integrates marketing, sales, and service teams into one system. It allows businesses to manage all their teams, gather data, and automate processes seamlessly.

For example, if your marketing team runs ads or manages social media platforms, all the data generated from these activities can be automatically synced to HubSpot. This data is then assigned to your sales team, who can take immediate action—whether it’s making a call, sending an email, or following up on a lead.

Once a deal is closed, the process transitions to the service or operations team, depending on your business’s workflow. We design and implement these systems to ensure your business runs efficiently and your revenue grows. As a founder or business leader, you’ll have access to a dashboard filled with KPIs, giving you complete visibility into your business. You’ll see how your sales are performing, which channels are working best, and whether your team is meeting its goals.

As a CRM, HubSpot is one of the best in the market. If you’re considering HubSpot, Hubxpert is the team that will ensure you maximize your ROI from this investment. HubSpot is a premium software, and as a market leader, it offers unparalleled capabilities. Whether you need custom development within HubSpot or help implementing its existing features, we tailor our services to meet your specific needs.

We also offer maintenance services, providing a dedicated team member for three to six months to handle any minor adjustments or ongoing support you might need. In short, if you’re exploring HubSpot, Hubxpert is the team that will help you get the most out of it.

Ruhul: If we break it down a bit, could you tell us more about the specific products and services you offer? If someone is interested in working with you, what exactly can they expect?

Ratul: Our primary focus is digital transformation. We help businesses enhance their online presence, streamline operations, and supercharge their support, sales, and marketing processes.

We also provide expert guidance, especially for those who are non-tech or unfamiliar with HubSpot. If you’re looking to digitally transform your business, we can handle that, no matter the complexity.

We provide an all-in-one HubSpot solution. We onboard you to HubSpot and implement its various hubs: 

  • Marketing Hub: This includes email marketing automation, social media integration, and other marketing automation.
  • Service Hub: We automate your entire service delivery process, from ticketing systems to integrating tools like ZenDesk and Live Chat.
  • Sales Hub: We handle the entire sales system, including sales tracking, lead management, and pipeline optimization.
  • Content Hub: This involves website and app development within HubSpot, ensuring all your content and marketing efforts are seamlessly integrated.
  • Operations Hub: This includes data synchronization, workflow automation, and data quality management to streamline business operations.
  • Migration to One CRM to Another
  • Hubspot Integration
  • Hubspot App & Theme Development

If you need custom solutions, we can develop them. For example, we’re currently working with an Australian AI company, LayerBar, to connect their product with HubSpot. This integration allows them to track sign-ups, trial usage, user interactions, and more, all within HubSpot, enabling their sales team to leverage this data effectively.

On the digital services vertical, we provide UI/UX design, Odoo implementation, and cold email service. 

Under UI/UX Design, we design and develop websites, whether custom-built, WordPress-based, or on other platforms. We have a team for that. 

We do Odoo Implementation. Odoo is a more affordable ERP solution compared to HubSpot, offering features like accounting and inventory management. We’re expanding into Odoo to cater to businesses in Bangladesh that need cost-effective ERP solutions. The demand for Odoo is a bit higher in Bangladesh because of its affordability.  We are expanding beyond HubSpot. 

We also provide cold email services. For companies looking to scale their outreach, we provide cold email services to help them generate leads and grow their business. 

We have a young, talented team with members from North South University, Dhaka University, BRAC University, and English medium schools. Our mission is to become the most impactful HubSpot agency in the APAC region and to work with technology-driven products in Bangladesh.

If you’re building a startup or a SaaS company and need a system to manage your marketing, sales, and service operations, HubSpot is one of the best solutions in the world for this. We specialize in helping businesses get the most out of their HubSpot investment.

Ruhul: Since we’re talking about your products and services, can you elaborate on your business model? Who are your ideal customers, and how do you deliver your services? Also, could you touch on your pricing model and cost centers?

Ratul: We divide our services into two main categories: HubSpot services and digital services (which include software development, web development, UI/UX, and Odoo). Since HubSpot accounts for about 80% of our work, I’ll start there.

We have worked with four/five companies in Bangladesh. However, I would mention two companies that you might know: Creative IT and Rise Up Labs. We are implementing Sales Hub for them. 

You can draw from these two examples that our ideal customers are modern, growth-focused companies that need advanced tools for sales, marketing, and service operations. This is number one. I can give you a better context to give you an understanding of who would suit our customer profile better. 

We work with funded startups, SaaS companies, B2B businesses, e-commerce platforms, edtech firms, and marketing agencies. These companies typically have a headcount of 10+ and are looking for scalable solutions to drive growth.

Companies that are coming in for three months, might not sustain trials, because Hubspot is quite expensive. In Bangladesh, we may provide cost-efficient solutions by talking with HubSpot. That said, any funded or tech company can benefit from HubSpot.

It doesn't mean smaller companies can’t take it, they can look for small subscriptions. HubSpot is particularly beneficial for companies that are founder-led and growth-focused, operate in B2B or tech-driven industries, and have a need for advanced CRM, marketing automation, or service management tools.

In digital transformation, we have software development and Odoo. 

For Odoo, our ideal customers are businesses in Bangladesh looking for affordable ERP solutions with features like inventory management and accounting. Odoo is a great fit for companies that need robust systems but have limited budgets.

For UI/UX design and web development, we cater to companies that want modern, visually appealing websites or digital products. These are often tech companies or startups looking to enhance their online presence.

In terms of the service delivery process, We start by understanding the client’s needs and goals. We onboard them to the relevant platform (HubSpot, Odoo, etc.) and customize it to their requirements. We train their team to use the new systems effectively. We provide maintenance and support, often assigning a dedicated team member for 3-6 months to handle minor adjustments.

Ruhul: How does your pricing model work? 

Ratul: Our pricing varies depending on the scope of the project and the services required. For HubSpot, we offer tiered pricing based on the level of customization and support needed. For Odoo and digital services, we provide more budget-friendly options tailored to the Bangladeshi market.

Since we are a service-level business, if someone is interested—it can be from LinkedIn, from an article, or our website—there are three options on our website: start a project, get a quote, and schedule a meeting.  

If a request is from a Bangladeshi IP, our Bangladesh team handles it. They will have the first meeting to understand the requirements. Internationally, I look after business development. However, currently, I’m training my sales team from the Philippines. They will handle it from next month. 

In terms of pricing, what we do is, we take the requirements. Typically, HubSpot onboarding implementation takes around two to four lakh taka, depending on the complexity. This is outside of HubSpot charges. Hubspot can charge BDT 50,000 to 100,000 monthly depending on what you need. In Bangladesh, we do regional pricing and often give a 20 to 40% discount from our international pricing, making it quite affordable. 

Let’s talk about what our customers get for this money. Even if the pricing is two lakh taka, it’s not less. What do we provide? In Bangladesh, for example, Creative IT has taken HubSpot’s sales hub. We list down all the functionalities of the HubSpot sales hub and sit with Creative IT to understand what they need, how many team members will use it, etc. They also have their own CRM and we help migrate data from that CRM through API or development. We list out the total requirements. 

Additionally, we provide HubSpot training. Our team goes to their office and spends two to three hours, whatever it takes, to explain everything. No matter how educated or uneducated their sales team is, we explain everything.  For example, if there’s a sales team that works on calls, we explain how to make calls from HubSpot or how to manually enter data into HubSpot. We explain everything through three to four in-person training sessions. If they still don’t understand, we give them one-on-one sessions. 

Creative IT now has 50 team members. We have onboarded all of them. Now when the 52th team member joins, they will again face some challenges. We provide them with video tutorials to watch and learn so that any new team member can get onboarded smoothly. If they join within the first three months, we support them. This is how we work with customers in Bangladesh. 

We see that there’s an opportunity in Bangladesh and we want to implement it with a Bangladeshi team. We believe Hubspot can increase the performance of a team several times. They couldn't do 10% of the work in their old system that they can do in our system. 

Our USP is our client-focused, relationship-driven approach. Many clients choose us because we take the time to understand their business and provide tailored solutions. We don’t push unnecessary services. If your business doesn’t need a particular HubSpot feature, we’ll tell you upfront. Our goal is to recommend only what’s best for your business. This honesty and transparency build trust and set us apart from others.

Ruhul: From what you’ve shared, it’s clear that you provide very high-quality services, and your pricing reflects that. How do you ensure the quality of your services? Do you have specific processes or systems in place? Additionally, international customers have the option to work with other HubSpot consultants or agencies. The same goes for software development. What differentiates Hubxpert from other HubSpot agencies and digital transformation providers?

Ratul: Ensuring high-quality service is a priority for us, and we have a well-defined process to achieve that. We follow strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines for everything—from client communication to project updates. Our policy is simple: we provide updates before the client even asks for them. If a client has to ask for an update, it’s a red flag for us. We make sure that work is always ready, and we proactively follow up with clients to keep them informed.

To ensure quality, every project is assigned a Project Manager (PM) whose sole responsibility is to ensure the client is 100% satisfied with our services. We follow the principle of under-committing and over-delivering. For example, a HubSpot implementation might take one to two months, even though we could technically do it in two weeks or three. But rushing would compromise quality. By setting realistic expectations and taking the time to plan meticulously, we ensure the final deliverable meets the highest standards.

The PM stays in constant touch with the client, gathering feedback and making adjustments as needed. At the end of each project, I step in to review everything and ensure the client is completely satisfied. Since everything is documented and transparent, there are no surprises or moving parts. This structured approach helps us consistently deliver high-quality service.

Our approach to business is relationship-oriented. For example, we’re currently working with a client who paid us in advance. I could deliver 85% of the work, and they might not even notice the missing 15%. But that’s not how we operate. We want our clients to not only receive excellent service but also understand the value we’re providing. If they follow our recommendations, they’ll see results, and that’s how they’ll know Hubxpert did a great job. Building trust and long-term relationships is at the core of what we do.

The relationship is important. Our understanding is that relationships have been helpful for us in our personal and business life. 

A great example of this is a HubSpot US-based partner we met in 2023. We offered him free consultations to help solve some challenges he was facing. Since then, he’s referred us deals worth over $50,000. This is because we focus on being helpful and building genuine relationships. We’re not just here to deliver a service; we’re here to help our clients succeed. If a client isn’t satisfied, I have no problem refunding their payment and asking for another chance to make things right.

We want to build excellent relationships with our customers so that they refer us to others. For many customers, we dedicate additional resources and provide extra service. For instance, for Creative IT and Rise Up, our cost is higher because two consultants had to work for months. But we wanted to make them happy so that they either recommend our services to others or use other services in the future. 

Customers give us revenue. Serving customers the best possible way is an investment for us. That's how we view our service. This is my USP. Our company is completely focused on this USP, which is that we build relationships with clients. Many clients work with us because we are client-focused and relationship-focused. 

Our USP is our client-focused, relationship-driven approach. Many clients choose us because we take the time to understand their business and provide tailored solutions. We don’t push unnecessary services. If your business doesn’t need a particular HubSpot feature, we’ll tell you upfront. Our goal is to recommend only what’s best for your business. This honesty and transparency build trust and set us apart from others.

Why would a new company come to us? What we do with them is show them our main contribution would be that we understand their business and provide service accordingly. We are experts in Hubspot. We provide the best Hubspot services. But that's not why some customers come to us. Rather they come to us because we help them make the right decisions in terms of what service they should take and what they don't need. 

We will give you the right suggestion. You will find many skilled people. But everyone may not operate with the best interest of your business in mind. We say that we understand your business and your revenue, and we want good for your business. We believe if your business does well, our business will do well too. We will do what your business needs to grow. 

For example, with clients like Creative IT and Rise Up Labs, we’ve gone above and beyond, dedicating additional resources and providing extra services to ensure their satisfaction. While this increases our costs, we see it as an investment. Happy clients are more likely to refer us to others or return for additional services.

In summary, what differentiates us is our commitment to building strong relationships, delivering high-quality service, and providing honest, tailored recommendations. We believe that if our clients’ businesses grow, ours will too. This philosophy drives everything we do at Hubxpert.

Building trust and long-term relationships is at the core of what we do.

The Making of Hubxpert and Lessons in Entrepreneurship: An Interview with Ratul Rahman, Founder and CEO, Hubxpert 1
A snapshot of people working in the Hubxpert office in Dhaka

Ruhul: This is essentially a guarantee of service quality—delivering what you promise. That’s quite rare, as many people don’t follow through on their commitments. We’ve talked about your products and services, and how you differentiate yourself from others. Now, can you tell us more about the company today? How big is your operation, how large is your team, how many clients have you served so far, and can you give us a sense of the size of your business? Also, could you share the distribution of your clients—international versus Bangladesh?

Ratul: We’ve worked on over 100 HubSpot systems and developed more than 10 apps, including three to four of our own. The majority of our clients are international—around 95% of our customers come from outside Bangladesh, while only 5% are local. Initially, we didn’t focus much on the Bangladesh market because HubSpot doesn’t heavily invest in this region. They only recently opened an office in India and don’t do much marketing or branding here. However, we’re now starting to take on more local projects.

In terms of revenue, we've achieved strong financial growth in 2024 and are on track for significant expansion in 2025.

Ruhul: Let’s talk more about the Hubxpert organization. How big is the team, and how is it structured? We’ve touched on your culture earlier, but could you expand on that? How do people work and collaborate with each other? Also, feel free to share more about your values.

Ratul: Let me start with the team. Currently, we have 24 full-time employees and 2 part-time employees working from the Philippines, bringing the total headcount to 26. Our team is structured into three main divisions: RevOps (Revenue Operations), DevOps (Development Operations), and WebOps (Website Operations).

The HR-Admin team is responsible for managing the office and recruiting people. We have a four-person team there: two in admin and two in HR. 

We have a 6-people team in the sales and marketing team, including two part-timers from the Philippines. I’m currently building this team to strengthen our outreach.

The rest of the team works directly on client projects, ensuring high-quality service delivery.

We operate on a hybrid model. Employees come to the office on Mondays and Wednesdays, and our office hours are from 2 PM to 10 PM to accommodate our international clients, especially those in the US. Some teams may come in on Tuesdays or Thursdays depending on meetings or project needs.

On Mondays, everyone is required to come to the office to foster team bonding—we have coffee together, chat, and catch up. This helps keep the office culture alive.

We’re a fun-loving team. We have a coffee machine in the office, and we often prepare coffee together. Our office has modern meeting pods for client discussions, and we make sure to create a lively and collaborative environment. Outside of work, we sometimes play football at a nearby field, and I join the team for these games. We also organize team trips—last year, the management team worked remotely from Cox’s Bazar for a week.

We prioritize creativity and encourage team members to share ideas and teach each other. We value high-quality work and don’t tolerate repeated mistakes. If someone makes a mistake, we guide them, but they’re expected to learn and improve. Every team member is committed to delivering exceptional service to our clients.

We’re a people-first company. For example, if a team member falls ill, we help them access medical care and share the costs since we don’t yet have an insurance policy. We also plan to introduce a week-long paid break this year, separate from public holidays, to give the team time to recharge. We encourage our team to treat each other well.

We want to build a people-centric company. We aim to put people first—it’s that simple. When the team is happy, work gets done well, and quality stays high, there’s always more work and fresh ideas. Our team is the heart of it all.

The Making of Hubxpert and Lessons in Entrepreneurship: An Interview with Ratul Rahman, Founder and CEO, Hubxpert 2
Company-wide celebration is a common feature of Hubxpert culture

We hold a town hall meeting every month to recognize top performers with monetary awards. We also celebrate team members’ birthdays and provide iftar during Ramadan when everyone comes to the office. Additionally, we organize an annual team trip, which I mentioned earlier.

In a nutshell, our culture is built on collaboration, creativity, and a strong sense of community. We prioritize the well-being of our team and ensure that everyone feels valued and supported. This focus on people and quality is what drives our success.

Customers give us revenue. Serving customers the best possible way is an investment for us. That's how we view our service. This is my USP. Our company is completely focused on this USP, which is that we build relationships with clients. Many clients work with us because we are client-focused and relationship-focused. 

Ruhul: This is very interesting. For example, health insurance—very few companies think about it, especially at such an early stage. It’s a great initiative.

Ratul: At this stage of the company, we follow international work standards. For instance, Saturday and Sunday are off, which is a major advantage. We work on Fridays, but having Sundays off allows team members to handle personal errands, like going to the bank, on a day when most of Bangladesh is working. This is a huge convenience for them.

We also have a savings scheme in place. While we don’t yet offer health insurance, we plan to introduce it as soon as we can. In the meantime, we’ve implemented a small but unique benefit—a savings scheme. Under this scheme, we set aside small amounts, like 1000 to 3000 Taka per month, in the name of each team member in our office bank account. Team members can withdraw this amount annually. It’s not a performance bonus but an additional benefit to encourage retention and provide financial support.

The idea is to motivate team members to stay for at least a year to receive this bonus, reducing turnover. It’s also a safety net—if a team member faces a financial emergency, they can access this fund. We’ve created this system to ensure that the company’s resources are used to support our people.

Ruhul: Let’s talk about the industry you’re operating in. You’re in the CRM and digital transformation space. What’s your take on the industry? How big is the market, and where is it headed? What are the challenges Hubxpert faces today? Also, what are your plans for the company in the short and long term?

Ratul: The CRM and digital transformation industry is growing rapidly, both globally and in Bangladesh. According to HubSpot, Bangladesh is one of their 30 growth markets, where businesses are emerging and the need for CRM solutions is increasing.

Globally, the CRM market is expanding as businesses evolve and adopt modern tools. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic forced many industries, like education, to embrace digital tools. Even traditional institutions like Dhaka University, which once struggled with basic tools like Google Meet, are now adapting.

Similarly, businesses are realizing the importance of having a strong online presence. Today, a printing company in Malibagh understands that they need to post on Facebook. Industries are changing and businesses are changing.  

As businesses grow, they need better tools to manage their operations. Instead of using multiple disconnected tools, a centralized CRM like HubSpot is far more efficient. It integrates platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and email, making it easier to manage customer interactions. For instance, in Bangladesh, WhatsApp is essential for business communication, but as teams grow, they need a system to centralize and automate these interactions.

This is where CRM comes in. I’ll say that the industry is growing very fast. Hubspot is also investing in expanding the product. Along with enterprise clients, Hubspot is also working to develop solutions for small businesses. 

In Bangladesh, the CRM and ERP markets are still in the pre-growth stage. While awareness is increasing, many businesses haven’t yet felt the need for these tools. There’s a lot of education and awareness-building required. More companies today feel the need for a website. Now, companies feel the need to go live on Facebook. That’s where it’s advancing. But why does it have to be a Hubspot or Oddo, there’s a gap here in terms of awareness. But there’s still a huge opportunity in the market. 

For example, many big companies, in sectors like RMG (Ready-Made Garments) and other sectors, still rely on internally developed software. However, these solutions often lack reliability and scalability. Companies like Creative IT, which excel in their core business (e.g., selling courses), struggle when they try to build software internally. This creates inefficiencies and highlights the need for professional solutions like HubSpot and Odoo. You know what happens when companies take this route? Two days later, it goes offline, breaks, and two days later, it does not work. You see, it's not their job. In Bangladesh, it’s a big problem. In Bangladesh, we tend to build everything. 

Internationally, the market is more mature, with businesses readily adopting CRM and ERP solutions. HubSpot is investing heavily in expanding its product offerings, including solutions for small businesses.

Similarly, Odoo is gaining popularity, especially in Europe, due to its affordability and comprehensive features like accounting and inventory management. In Bangladesh, Odoo is particularly appealing to retail, manufacturing, and RMG businesses because it’s cost-effective and easy to implement.

The industry is massive, with projections of a trillion-dollar market by 2030 globally. We want to be at the forefront of this growth, helping businesses streamline their operations and achieve their goals through innovative digital solutions.

Ruhul: The next question I asked was about plans. One is short-term plans, and another is long-term plans. 

Ratul: Our delivery team needs to be more precise in their delivery. To that end, we have more work on internal structuring. We want to be excellent in our quality of work.

Externally, the next target will be to become a diamond partner by the end of this year. We want to build dedicated teams across our verticals including web development, custom development, and UI/UX.

Our short-term goal is to continue expanding our presence in the Bangladeshi market while maintaining our strong international client base. We want to focus on awareness-building and educating businesses about the benefits of CRM and ERP solutions. Our current client ratio is 95% international and 5% Bangladesh. We want to make it 80% and 20%.  

We are actively exploring opportunities to expand internationally and have a sales office on the global stage.

We aim to position Hubxpert as a leader in digital transformation in the APAC region. We plan to deepen our expertise in HubSpot and Odoo while exploring new technologies and services. For example, we’re already developing custom apps and modules for HubSpot, and we see significant potential in this area.

In 2023/2024, we were very quiet and worked hard without making much noise. In 2025, we are confident about what we do and what we want to do. We want to communicate this to the market which will allow us to find good team members and will also help us to attract clients in Bangladesh. In 2025, we aim to invest in building the Hubxpert brand and expand since we are confident that we are doing something important and valuable.  

In the next five to 10 years, what do we want to do? We have three directors in the company now: our CTO Tanmoy and Rabbi. Although I started as a solo founder, they joined in the journey, so I respect them. We three are now working at the director level. When we become a limited company, they will get equity. In the long run, together we want to build a global business with 80% operation in Bangladesh. We want to build a prominent software business. Additionally, we want to work in the hardware industry as well. 

Down the line, we want to invest in research and development. We really want to invest in AI or quantum-related or hardware-related modern technology development. We want to develop products from Bangladesh to international standards. 

Our culture is built on collaboration, creativity, and a strong sense of community. We prioritize the well-being of our team and ensure that everyone feels valued and supported. This focus on people and quality is what drives our success.

Ruhul: How do you stay productive as a founder?

Ratul: I stay grounded and motivated through a mix of personal interests and family and relationships. I read both fiction and non-fiction stories, which inspire me and keep me focused. Travel and trekking also play a big role in my life. I’ve trekked twice in Nepal, including a solo trek to Annapurna Base Camp in 2021, and later went with family, friends, and my team. I have plans for more treks in the future. These experiences give me a sense of purpose and help me see life from a different perspective.

Family is another source of inspiration for me. My parents, my wife, and my younger sister create a sense of warmth and belonging that feels like heaven to me. Making them proud drives me to do better work. For example, when I bring my father to the office, his happiness is priceless. To him, what I’ve achieved is significant, and that gives me immense motivation.

My productivity comes from a combination of reading, traveling, and family. These elements keep me inspired and grounded, helping me stay focused on my goals.

The Making of Hubxpert and Lessons in Entrepreneurship: An Interview with Ratul Rahman, Founder and CEO, Hubxpert 3
Mr. Ratul says travel/trekking is one of the things that keeps him going

Ruhul: Since we’re talking about books, what are your top five favorite books?

Ratul: My favorites include:

  1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – a timeless story about following your dreams.
  2. The Lean Startup by Eric Ries – a practical guide for entrepreneurs.
  3. Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle – a childhood favorite that sparked my love for problem-solving.
  4. Mahatirther Shesh Jatri (The Last Pilgrims of the Great Pilgrimage) – a Bengali book about a journey to Tibet that I’m currently reading and loving.
  5. Misir Ali: Amimanshito Rahasya – another Bengali book that I find deeply engaging.

Ruhul: What are some key lessons you’ve learned from your journey so far?

Ratul: One of the most important lessons is the power of dreams. Without dreams, we can’t progress.

If you want to solve problems, there’s no shortcut—you have to work hard. No one else can do your work for you. You have to correct your own mistakes and take responsibility for your growth. Self-learning, self-motivation, and staying open to new experiences are critical.

In my own words, I’d say staying honest and having a helping mentality can make a huge difference in life.

These values have guided me through my journey and continue to shape how I approach challenges.

Ruhul: These are beautifully put and universally applicable. I think this is a good place to end our conversation today. Thank you so much for being generous with your time and insights. This has been an educational and inspiring discussion for me.

Ratul: Thank you for the opportunity. I enjoyed the conversation.

Mohammad Ruhul Kader is a Dhaka-based entrepreneur and writer. He founded Future Startup, a digital publication covering the startup and technology scene in Dhaka with an ambition to transform Bangladesh through entrepreneurship and innovation. He writes about internet business, strategy, technology, and society. He is the author of Rethinking Failure. His writings have been published in almost all major national dailies in Bangladesh including DT, FE, etc. Prior to FS, he worked for a local conglomerate where he helped start a social enterprise. Ruhul is a 2022 winner of Emergent Ventures, a fellowship and grant program from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. He can be reached at ruhul@futurestartup.com

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