Future Startup’s Companies to Watch series has traditionally focused on technology and tech-enabled businesses. This time, we are expanding the lens to manufacturing.
Manufacturing is difficult and complex. It requires capital, people, machinery, supply chains, quality control, and the ability to consistently make and deliver a physical product. It is also an important part of how countries create economic opportunities and jobs, build capabilities, and develop businesses that can compete beyond their home markets.
In this edition, we look at five small Bangladeshi manufacturing companies that caught our attention for their products and fascinating business models. These companies operate across leather goods, jute and macramé, home décor, personal care, and lifestyle products. These businesses make interesting products, but what makes them more interesting is how they go to market, combining manufacturing with B2B exports, direct-to-consumer commerce, custom orders, digital distribution, and niche international markets.
These are mostly SME businesses, but their models offer interesting examples of how Bangladeshi companies can build differentiated product businesses around manufacturing, craft, quality, and creative distribution.
The profiles below are based primarily on secondary research and publicly available information. As a result, there may be minor gaps or inaccuracies. If you spot an error or have additional information about any of the companies, please let us know at [email protected]
Founded by Taslima Miji in 2016, Leatherina manufactures ethically made, eco-conscious leather goods and fabric-blended fashion accessories, including handbags, backpacks, wallets, and office items.
Started as a small operation, Leatheria has since grown into an interesting player in its vertical with business across manufacturing, export, and its own B2C brand.
Its business model combines B2B contract manufacturing (OEM/ODM) for local and international fashion labels, paired with direct-to-consumer (D2C) online retail and physical retail under its domestic brand Gootipa.
The company has built a meaningful export business with direct B2B export of certified sustainable leather products. The company says it exports to the Netherlands, Germany, the United States, North America, and the Middle East. You can read our profile of the company here.
Tulika Eco is another interesting company we have been following for a while. The company produces diversified eco-friendly jute and macramé products, ranging from jute shopping totes to macramé wall accents, jackets, and aprons.
Founded by Esrat Jahan Chowdhury in 2017, the company runs on a business model that combines cross-border B2B exports via digital trade platforms, such as Alibaba, Amazon, white-label manufacturing, and international trade expos.
The company says it ships diversified jute and macramé home goods to buyers across Europe, Asia, and North America.
It operates a manufacturing unit employing female workers and rural artisans and regularly showcases products at SME fairs.
Founded by Mirajul Huq, Marina Huq, and Shamira Huq in 2021, Baah designs beautiful sustainable home decor and lifestyle products made from natural fibers and upcycled materials, including jute tableware, upcycled denim laptop sleeves, and handcrafted rugs.
The company runs on D2C e-commerce, retail boutique sales, corporate gifting, and international D2C shipping. Its export footprint includes cross-border D2C shipping serving international retail buyers and the non-resident Bangladeshi diaspora in North America, Europe, and the Middle East.
Baah was a winner of the SDG Brand Champion Award 2023.
The company designs aesthetically beautiful products. Its business model combines modern digital branding with rural artisan empowerment, turning upcycled post-industrial garment waste and jute into premium exportable lifestyle products.
Ribana, the Dhaka-based D2C cosmetics brand, says it produces organic, cold-pressed handmade soaps, botanical hair oils, and skin treatments utilizing local agricultural ingredients like goat milk, virgin coconut oil, and neem.
Founded by Md. Wahiduzzaman in 2015, Ribana runs direct-to-consumer (D2C) online retail, has domestic store distribution, and does cross-border exports.
The company says it has direct B2C shipping and regional boutique distributor partnerships, and its products go to destinations including the United States, the UAE (Dubai), and Australia.
Ribana is an interesting case study of how personal care micro-enterprises can capture value in the global organic cosmetics market beyond traditional apparel and raw commodities.
WildWoven says it manufactures handcrafted leather goods, minimalist slim wallets, cardholders, and everyday accessories tailored for urban professionals.
Founded in 2019 by Foysal Islam and Anamul Hoque, the company puts a lot of emphasis on craftsmanship and quality. Its website copy reads: “Inspired by the age-old heritage and craftsmanship, WildWoven Leather Products is offering you the finest quality leather accessories that are made to last. All the minimal yet functional products are designed and handcrafted in our own workshop by some of the best local artisans to complement your personality and style admirably.”
The company runs on a business model that combines D2C e-commerce, custom corporate orders, and international postal/courier fulfillment. Its export business mostly happens through cross-border D2C shipping, fulfilling individual orders for tech professionals and NRB buyers across the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
WildWoven has built an excellent online presence and focuses on modern functional minimalism over traditional heavy leather designs, demonstrating how micro-brands can serve niche global audiences online.
These are mostly SMEs on their way to expansion, and they represent only a narrow slice of Bangladesh’s manufacturing economy. But they point to interesting possibilities.
Manufacturing businesses are hard, and there are many challenges to make a manufacturing business work. However, these businesses prove that smaller companies can build around product quality and innovative business models, design, craftsmanship, niche customer segments, and direct relationships with customers.
Digital commerce and cross-border distribution also make it possible to reach customers and markets that would have been difficult to access a generation ago.
For Bangladesh, there is an opportunity to build more businesses like these alongside the country’s large manufacturing industries. The path is harder and often slower, but small, differentiated manufacturers can create products, brands, capabilities, and export markets of their own.
We will continue looking beyond the usual technology categories to find companies building interesting businesses across Bangladesh.
