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Flipper: Building a vertically integrated re-commerce company in Bangladesh 

Our world today is going through major generational changes, one of which is the rise of conscious consumerism in the wake of an unfolding environmental crisis. One example of this is the rapid rise of the recycling and reuse movement.

This movement has already gained steam across the world, resulting in fascinating ideas such as re-commerce, which allows shoppers to rent, resell, and exchange used products instead of purchasing new ones. The widespread penetration of the Internet and growing economic challenges across geographies have further accelerated this trend. The internet has made it easy to sell, buy, and exchange used goods, while economic hardship has pushed people to be more money-conscious.

A Cross-Border Commerce Europe report suggests that re-commerce marketplaces are growing 20 times faster than the broader retail market across Europe. In 2021, the EU re-commerce market was valued at €75Bn and is expected to grow to €120Bn by 2025.

The trend shows a similar trajectory in Bangladesh and our neighboring market, India. For example, the Indian re-commerce market has seen unprecedented growth over the past few years. Companies like Cashify, OLX, and Quikr have raised millions of dollars in funding and expanded throughout India.

Although not as big a market, Bangladesh has been experiencing similar growth in this space. Companies like Bikroy, which started in 2012, helped bring selling used goods online to public consciousness. In the socio-economic context of the country, there has always been a demand for second-hand products. The demand for low-cost mobile phones and electronic gadgets remains as strong as ever, presenting an excellent opportunity to build re-commerce businesses. Moreover, the growing e-commerce industry and electronic product brands require an option to deal with returned and unsold items.

In addition, the country is sitting on a massive e-waste problem that demands attention. BTRC data shows that 3.15 crore units of handsets were manufactured in the country and an additional 3.40 lakh units were imported in 2022 alone. According to Bangladesh Computer Samity, around 40,000 new computers and laptops enter the market every month. These are staggering numbers.

A 2022 study suggests that Bangladesh sells electronic goods worth US$1.36 billion and generates approximately 2.81 million tonnes of e-waste every year. A similar study by the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) puts Bangladesh as one of the top 10 e-scraps-producing countries in the world. The survey further reveals that e-waste generation in the country has been growing at a 30% rate annually.

This is the context where we are talking about a slowly unfolding trend: the rise of the re-commerce economy in Bangladesh. Consumers are embracing ideas like renting, reselling, and exchanging products, creating new opportunities for conscientious entrepreneurs. The last several years have seen several promising startups enter the re-commerce market in Bangladesh. Some of these companies are doing fascinating work and looking to build generational enterprises.

In business and life, timing is everything. There is a widely popular TED talk by the founder of Idealab, Bill Gross, where he claims timing is the most important factor behind the success of any startup.

Given the changes in the market, there could not have been a better time for building a re-commerce business in Bangladesh.

Meet Flipper

This is where Flipper, a young startup that has quietly been building a vertically integrated re-commerce company, comes in. Over the past three years, the company has successfully capitalized on the trend and established a growing re-commerce business in Bangladesh.

Officially launched in 2021 by serial entrepreneur Sazzadur Rahman, Flipper is a Dhaka-based re-commerce company with twin ambitions: to make re-commerce mainstream in Bangladesh and to address the growing challenge of e-waste management in the country.

Mr. Rahman has a long history of running successful businesses in the mobile retail space. He started his first mobile retail outlet in the early 2010s. Mr. Rahman observed that many people in Bangladesh struggled to sell their used electronic products, and the market for used electronic products was not well organized. By that time, he also began buying and selling used mobile phones in his retail shop, alongside new products.

There were several other major challenges. Buying used phones was a challenge because it was often difficult to verify the problems in a phone. For instance, doing it over a phone call would typically lead to miscommunication and subsequent disagreement between the parties involved. There would always be some mismatch between the product description you receive over the phone and the reality, and it took a long time to negotiate and agree on a price.

It was challenging to scale a re-commerce business without addressing some of these operational challenges. This is where Mr. Rahman saw an opportunity to create a re-commerce platform that would be trustworthy, convenient, and easy to use. After careful consideration, he and his team began working on an app that would eventually become Flipper, aiming to streamline the supply chain of used phones and build a re-commerce platform.

Today, Flipper enables users to sell and exchange their used electronic products, primarily mobile phones, and laptops, in as little as 24 hours. While Flipper initially focused on the B2B space, it has now expanded into a growing B2C business with robust offline and online distribution channels. The company is preparing to officially launch its B2C online platform in the coming months.

Flipper also has exchange partnerships with a long list of mobile phone brands and distributors. It has similar partnerships with companies that buy and rent used products from Flipper. In the long run, the company aims to venture into e-waste management.

Flipper offers a layered value proposition:

1. Streamline the selling process for users and the buying process for distributors/retailers and agents of used phones and electronic products using technology.
2. Provide quality exchange programs where both B2B and B2C customers can exchange their used phones for new ones.
3. Sell quality used products with a meaningful warranty.
4. Ensure excellent customer experience across service delivery points.

This comprehensive business model has yielded excellent results for Flipper. Today, the company has a thriving re-commerce business that spans multiple cities across Bangladesh.

Flipper
Part of the Flipper team

The Origin and Evolution of Flipper

Mr. Sazzadur Rahman graduated with a business degree from North South University in the early 2010s. He started his first venture while still a student. "I opened my first shop in 2009 when I was still a student," he tells Future Startup. After graduation, he worked for about three years before transitioning full-time to his own company. "I wasn't finding satisfaction and meaning in my job. I wanted to do something different," he adds to explain his decision.

Another reason for Mr. Rahman's entrepreneurial journey was his obsession with mobile phones. This was during the early days of smartphones in Bangladesh, and mobile phones were undergoing a rapid transformation from basic feature phones to these smart devices with fascinating capabilities. "My immense interest in mobile phones has been a key driver behind my business," he explains.

Initially, the company primarily focused on used phones and exchanges. This was during the early days of the exchange concept. While re-commerce wasn't yet established in Bangladesh, people were already selling and buying used products to earn and save money. Furthermore, online platforms like Bikroy.com, which had just launched around that time, also sparked renewed interest in selling and buying used products with their extensive marketing campaigns. However, buying used phones online was not seamless and had many limitations. Mr. Rahman recognized the market's interest and saw an opportunity to build a business in that space.

"Bikroy.com had the option to sell and buy used phones at that time. However, there were many challenges associated with doing so on Bikroy," says Mr. Rahman. "Sometimes it was difficult to track the seller once you purchased a phone, which could eventually lead to harassment issues. We believed that if we could offer this service in our stores and provide people with documentation such as a money receipt, it would accelerate the adoption of mobile phone exchanges. When we launched the service that allowed people to buy, sell, and exchange second-hand phones, the response was excellent."

The offline business experienced significant growth in the following years. However, managing it manually posed challenges. To address these issues, Mr. Rahman began refining the concept of Flipper around 2017. It took until 2021 for these efforts to materialize.

The market and timing played an important role in the birth of Flipper. The years 2020 and 2021 were turbulent for e-commerce in Bangladesh as companies like Evaly entered the market, offering huge online discounts and deals. "Due to the significant discounts offered by these online platforms, our offline business became difficult," explains Mr. Rahman. "Many of our clients started going to these online shops. It was the first time when we thought that if we don't go online, it would create long-term challenges."

This realization coincided with a persistent challenge in dealing with used products that we discussed earlier in this article — the need to streamline the supply chain of used products.

Flipper collaborates with numerous partners to buy and sell used products. But the entire process was manual and mostly conducted over the phone at the time. One consistent challenge encountered was the mismatch in product descriptions. For example, when a partner or customer contacted Flipper regarding a used phone with specific issues, a price was quoted based on those problems. However, upon receiving the phone, additional minor and major issues were often discovered that were not mentioned by the partner or customer, leading to misunderstandings and other challenges.

"We realized that developing an app could help us streamline the information collection and verification process during our purchasing procedure," says Mr. Rahman. "It would enable us to obtain accurate details and reduce instances of inaccurate descriptions. That's how the idea of Flipper came about. It emerged as a solution to the two challenges we were facing: market pressure arising from the growth of e-commerce and authentication issues with our partners and customers when purchasing products," Mr. Rahman adds.

Flipper was primarily designed for B2B users, specifically for Flipper's partners who collect or purchase used mobile phones on behalf of the company. The rationale behind this design was the understanding that since Flipper operates a B2B business and deals with a large volume of products, it must exercise caution to ensure safety. The Flipper app provides better assurance to its partners and streamlines the collection and distribution process.

Previously, partners had to make multiple calls to the Flipper team for price confirmation before purchasing a product. Managing this task became challenging when dealing with 30-35 partners. The company was buying 15-20 phones daily and receiving queries three to four times that amount. Collecting details of all these phones, understanding the problems, and manually determining prices became an arduous task.

"We recognized that this was a significant problem that needed a solution," explains Mr. Rahman. "Our goal from the very beginning has been to streamline our purchasing process for used products. We realized that we needed to streamline the purchasing process, product condition checks, and communication. Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to scale."

As the company began developing the Flipper app, the broader vision became clearer.
"Once the app was completed, we realized that we could expand into re-commerce and e-commerce using the same platform, as we already had pricing and product details. Customers could sell their used products and purchase new ones, and we could check and collect the used products during the delivery."

Thinking about e-commerce also allowed the company to envision nationwide coverage and other expansion opportunities.

"We realized that if we conducted our operations online, we could reach the entire country," says Mr. Rahman. "This led us to think about buying scrap products from customers and extending our categories to include other electronic items."

By the time the Flipper app was launched, it had transformed into a completely different platform.

"When we initially conceived the idea, it wasn't clear. However, as we started working on it, things began to fall into place," explains Mr. Rahman. "We are building an ecosystem that will encompass every aspect of dealing with e-waste," Mr. Rahman explains, describing the company's vision. "I have wanted to work on e-waste management since 2016, but we needed a strategic direction to reach that goal."

The Flipper team began working on the app in March 2020. At that time, the company had a different name. "We used to go by the name Mobre, a play on the words mobile and re-commerce," says Mr. Rahman. "We had a domain under that name. However, it didn't feel right. It was difficult to pronounce, and we didn’t like the sound. Eventually, we settled on Flipper. I had a fascination with the word 'flip,' and from there, Flipper emerged. We have always strived to be thorough in our thinking about everything."

After about a year of work, the company finally launched the app in March 2021. Initially, it was given to 15 partners for testing out of the 30 partners Flipper had at that time. They thoroughly tested everything and provided feedback. Changes were made based on the feedback, and the company subsequently launched the final version.

After launching the app, Flipper launched a campaign with Samsung in five different malls in Dhaka and Chittagong. The campaign spanned seven days, during which the company facilitated the exchange of 54 handsets. The campaign was a success, and Samsung expressed satisfaction with the results.

However, Flipper quickly realized that in order to progress in the market, it needed to expand its distribution network. Up until that point, Flipper primarily relied on a B2B distribution model, where it worked with retail and agent partners to both buy phones from customers and sell them.

"We came to the decision that we need to reach consumers directly," explains Mr. Rahman. "Operating solely with a wholesale distribution model would hinder our progress in the market. We have to tap into the consumer market and exit phones there."

At this stage, Flipper was a small team consisting of only 8 people. They had a small office in Dhanmondi that could barely accommodate four individuals. However, the market was responding positively. Samsung, after a few successful collaborations, began to rely on the company. Flipper also found several other partners who were eager to work as sellers and customers.

Today, Flipper boasts a rapidly growing vertically integrated re-commerce business, which means it has control over both the collection and distribution of used products. It collaborates with retail shop partners and agents who procure used products on its behalf. Customers have the option to sell their products directly to Flipper through its offline shops, online website, and app. The company operates offline retail outlets in Dhaka and two other cities, facilitating product sales and exchanges with customers. Additionally, customers can make purchases and exchanges through the Flipper app and website.

In recent times, Flipper has also been exploring the realm of B2C re-commerce/e-commerce operations with the launch of its app and website. To gain insights into the market, the company has been catering to B2C customers through its website, although it has not officially launched its B2C operation. The official launch of its B2C platform is scheduled for the third quarter of this year.

"We haven't fully started our B2C operation yet," explains Mr. Rahman. "However, if a customer requests a product based on our pricing, we fulfill the order. We haven't conducted any direct B2C campaigns thus far. We have a separate plan for B2C and we want to do something massive."

Flipper
People at work at Flipper's office in Dhaka

Overview of the Company

Flipper has established itself as a well-known re-commerce company in Bangladesh, with a strong presence in the B2B market and a B2C operation in marketing. The company currently operates three retail outlets, two located in Dhaka and one in Rajshahi. Additionally, Flipper has a robust online presence with a website and mobile app.

Flipper primarily specializes in dealing with electronic products such as mobile phones, accessories, laptops, and tablets. In the near future, the company also plans to expand its offerings to include gaming products. The core business model of Flipper revolves around purchasing used electronic devices from customers, repairing them, and reselling them in the market.

Moreover, Flipper facilitates the exchange of old devices, allowing customers to exchange old devices and buy new ones directly from the company. Additionally, customers can also purchase official warranty phones on the Flipper app and website. The company has established partnerships with nearly all major mobile phone brands, similar to other prominent e-commerce platforms.

The company's strong focus on B2B has played a crucial role in building a robust distribution network for buying and selling electronic products.

Flipper has experienced significant growth over the past two years, driven by its commitment to excellent customer service and strategic initiatives. The company has expanded its operations to multiple cities, establishing a strong presence outside Dhaka. This includes cities such as Rajshahi, Khulna, and Cumilla. Currently, Flipper operates with a team of approximately 22 individuals and is actively preparing for further expansion.

"Our approach is to first understand the problem," says Mr. Rahman. "We are taking a division-wise approach. We started in Rajshahi, where we have brand promoters covering the entire division. We have also expanded to Khulna, and we are now planning to enter Cumilla due to the significant interest shown in that region."

Although Flipper receives regular franchise requests for its outlets, the company is currently holding off on such arrangements. "We want to establish a strong foundation ourselves, gain a comprehensive understanding of the business, and then potentially consider franchising at a later stage," explains Mr. Rahman.

In its current operational model, Flipper collaborates with retail partners and agents who purchase used products on its behalf. These partners utilize the Flipper app to verify the condition of the products and determine appropriate prices. Subsequently, the acquired products are sent to Flipper's warehouse, where they undergo quality control checks and necessary repairs if required. Once the products are ready, Flipper distributes them to its own stores.

Additionally, Flipper has wholesale partners who buy products in large quantities from the company. However, Flipper has been prioritizing sales through its own stores and online channels in order to build its own customer base.

Currently, Flipper primarily deals with functional used mobile phones, which it sells to customers. The company has established partnerships with numerous brands and companies, including Gadget&Gear, Excel Telecom, and SAMSUNG, among others. Flipper operates with partner shops and agents in various regions who assist in the collection process.

After working with mobile for years, Flipper has recently expanded its operations to include laptops. It has launched a buy, sell, and exchange service specifically for used laptops. Unlike mobile phones, where Flipper also sells new official devices, the current focus is solely on used laptops. In the present market scenario, many customers sell their second-hand laptops at Multiplan Center, a shopping mall in Dhaka, and purchase new ones from the IDB Shopping Center. Flipper collaborates with laptop retailers to assist them in buying used laptops from their existing customers and subsequently selling these used products through the Flipper network.

Additionally, Flipper has introduced a laptop rental service, allowing customers to rent laptops for a minimum period of six months. The company claims to have partnered with several companies for this rental service.

Flipper states that it has already achieved close to operating breakeven, a significant accomplishment within a relatively short time frame. Mr. Rahman credits their domain knowledge for success.

“Since we have a deep understanding of the business and have established various channels to facilitate the sale of used products, including dealing with scrap items, we believe we are ready to enter the next phase of growth. We now have distribution channels in place, whether we are buying dead or functional used phones," he adds.

The Flipper team aims to create a profitable and sustainable company.

"My concept of business is that it should be built for the long term," Mr. Rahman explains. "It should be able to survive for at least three or four generations. If the company I am building doesn't last for 100 years, what's the point of building it? Therefore, we prefer to create a simple business model. Profitability is always a priority, but we also strive to establish a company that will last.

Screenshot of Flipper website
Screenshot of Flipper website

Business Model

Flipper's business model centers around the re-commerce of electronic products. It involves the purchase of used electronic devices from customers, followed by their resale or exchange after minor repairs. Customers have the option to exchange their used devices for new ones through Flipper. The company's focus on B2B has contributed to the establishment of a robust distribution network for buying and selling electronic products.

The revenue generated by Flipper primarily comes from the profit margin earned on the sale of used devices and the commission received from the sale of new devices. However, while its business may look straightforward from the outside, it is a complex business in execution.

Mr. Rahman agrees, stating, "Our business model may appear simple on the surface: we buy used phones from customers, conduct quality checks, and sell them. However, in practice, it is much more intricate."

For example, assessing and purchasing a used phone requires time and thorough examination to identify any problems or defects. However, customers often have limited time, usually no more than 30 minutes, to sell their used phones. Within this time frame, Flipper's team must inspect the device, understand its issues, and make a decision on whether to purchase it or not. Some problems, such as network issues, may not be easily identifiable within this limited time frame, leading to potential risks that are challenging to mitigate.

Flipper has tackled some of these challenges and streamlined its sourcing processes, but the company is determined to achieve further automation. "We are aiming to automate the entire process of assessing a phone's health using an app," says Mr. Rahman. The company has explored various third-party apps but has not yet found a comprehensive solution.

Currently, there is still a 10% risk that remains unmitigated in Flipper's operations. However, the company ensures that customers are not negatively affected by this. Flipper provides a 10-day replacement warranty, allowing customers to receive an immediate replacement if they encounter any issues with their phones during this period. If Flipper is unable to provide the same model for replacement, customers are offered a refund. For B2B partners, Flipper extends the replacement period to 15 days to account for the time the product is displayed.

Another challenge in Flipper's business model is the difficulty of finding specific models when purchasing used phones. You often have to settle for whatever models are available, which can be a source of misunderstanding for customers. Flipper strives to maintain a diverse inventory to provide customers with options that closely match their preferences. In certain cases, Flipper assists customers in finding the products they are seeking through its partners. However, this remains a challenge when dealing with used products.

Since the launch of its app and website, Flipper has also ventured into limited-scale B2C online operations. It offers cash-on-delivery services for e-commerce transactions within Dhaka. If a customer places an order, Flipper ensures delivery within 24 hours in Dhaka. For deliveries outside Dhaka, advance payment is requested, and products are delivered within 72 hours.
Currently, Flipper works with 40 partners who purchase products from the company.

Additionally, some partners buy products on behalf of Flipper. Some partners receive advance payment and then make purchases, while others function more as agents and earn commissions upon delivering products to Flipper. The company currently has 18 agents who, on average, receive a commission of 2-5%.

Flipper app screenshot
Flipper app screenshot

Competitive Position

Re-commerce is a relatively emerging online market in Bangladesh. Various players, such as SWAP, Bikroy, and SystemEye, among others, compete for market share in this space.

However, Flipper has managed to establish a robust brand reputation for reliability and quality, which has helped it to attract customers. The presence of Flipper's retail outlets offers customers a physical location where they can visit and engage with the company's staff, thereby fostering trust-building.

Moreover, the company has built a strong distribution network for both the acquisition and sale of used phones, allowing it to reach a larger customer base. With retail partners located across cities, Flipper can cater to a significantly greater number of customers. Its focus on e-waste management and the handling of non-functional electronic products further expands its potential customer reach and demonstrates the company's long-term ambitions.

Flipper has rightly prioritized its presence in cities outside of Dhaka, recognizing their readiness for re-commerce compared to the capital city itself.

Analyzing Flipper's overall strategy, it is evident that the company has successfully diversified its distribution channels and achieved vertical integration. With an omnichannel approach, Flipper operates across multiple platforms, enabling customers to buy, sell, and exchange electronic products seamlessly.

Another notable competitive advantage of Flipper is its profound understanding of the market. Mr. Rahman and his team have been actively involved in this industry for a considerable period, even before re-commerce gained traction in Bangladesh.

The experience accumulated over the years has allowed them to develop a unique insight into the market and its future direction. Leveraging this expertise effectively can provide the company with a sustainable competitive advantage.

"We possess an in-depth understanding of this market," explains Mr. Rahman. "We have identified the key drivers of growth. We know where we should allocate our investments to expand and grow, and that's where our focus lies."

However, it should be noted that re-commerce is still in its early stages in Bangladesh, and the market has a long way to go in terms of development.

The overall investment in this sector remains relatively low. SWAP, one of the early players in the industry, has emerged as the leading player in this vertical. Nonetheless, the market has immense potential. Many industry insiders believe that re-commerce could potentially surpass the overall mobile phone market in Bangladesh, which is reported to be worth 16,000 crores per year.

Compared to that, the competition is still in its early stages. This presents a favorable timing for Flipper. If the company can effectively identify the appropriate market opportunities and capitalize on them, it has the potential to establish a significant and lasting competitive advantage.

Challenges and Opportunities

For Flipper and other re-commerce companies in Bangladesh, the primary competitor is the gray market, which offers refurbished phones at significantly lower prices. However, price is not the only issue with refurbished phones. It also poses other challenges, such as the difficulty in initially checking these phones. When dealing with used phones, it becomes even more challenging to determine whether a used phone is refurbished or original.

Many industry insiders complain, there is little control over this market, which poses a major challenge for companies like Flipper. This also presents difficulties for brand shops and creates a pricing disparity that is difficult to overcome.

The second challenge is the growing nature of this market, which is likely to attract more competition in the future. This means that Flipper has to exert more effort to differentiate itself and improve its sourcing, repairing, and quality control processes to ensure that the devices it sells meet high-quality standards.

Finally, growing demand for re-commerce services and building market awareness is another major challenge for players in the space. It will require a significant investment of time and money to foster the growth of this market in Bangladesh.

However, as more people become aware of the environmental benefits of re-commerce and become convinced about quality assurance and price benefits, the market for used electronics is expected to grow. Flipper can take advantage of this trend by expanding its product offerings and strengthening its online presence. However, to achieve that, the company needs to make long-term investments in developing its products and services.

The Future

Flipper has big ambitions. "We plan to open 15 outlets in the next year and establish our service units in 5 cities," says Mr. Rahman when asked about the company's plans. "We aim to automate the checking and verification process for used phones. Currently, it is done manually, which is time-consuming. We are working on it and aim to launch this technology by 2025."

Flipper is also working towards launching its B2C re-commerce platform in the last quarter of this year. The company is currently in the process of establishing partnerships with major brands. It already has partnerships with 7-8 companies. Additionally, it has collaborations with a few companies that acquire products from Flipper.

Flipper's future opportunities lie in expanding its product offerings beyond mobile phones and into other categories of electronics, as well as non-electronics categories such as home appliances. The company could also consider expanding its retail presence both within and outside Dhaka in Bangladesh.

Finally, Flipper could consider expanding its services to include repair and maintenance services for electronic products, which would help it build customer loyalty and increase revenue streams.

Interestingly, Flipper has slowly ventured into these three new areas. The company has introduced a new category: laptops and is in the process of launching gaming products and home appliances. It has been expanding its presence outside Dhaka and is also planning to open more outlets within Dhaka.

Regarding services, Flipper has already been exploring the feasibility of launching an electronics product servicing business.

"In the mobile sector, we aim to provide 360-degree support to customers," says Mr. Rahman. "Based on our observations, there is a significant market for servicing outside Dhaka where the facilities are limited compared to Dhaka. We plan to launch servicing from March next year. Service is a sensitive area, and building trust in the market is crucial. We have plans to address these issues and gradually expand our services across Bangladesh."

But Flipper has an even bigger ambition in the long run. Mr. Rahman says that his ultimate plan is to venture into e-waste management. In fact, the idea of Flipper is a stepping stone toward this larger goal. Mr. Rahman explains, "I have had a keen interest in e-waste management for quite some time. However, I couldn't find a direct entry point to work in this space. I realized that entering the market through the conventional scrap collection channels, where people collect scrap from homes, would be challenging due to various reasons and high entry barriers. That's when we realized we could leverage what we were already doing."

Flipper perceives a tremendous opportunity in e-waste management. The company highlights a growing export market for e-scraps in countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Flipper has already begun collaborating with several partners to explore this potential. The company believes that successfully penetrating the scraps market and finding avenues to sell these non-functional electronic products will provide added flexibility in managing its sourcing supply chain.

But the company wants to take its time before fully committing to that endeavor. It believes in building one thing at a time and recognizes a huge opportunity in re-commerce to dedicate the next few years to its development. Flipper says that it is currently in the process of building an ecosystem.

Mr. Rahman explains, "If we want to work with e-waste, we need to create a complete ecosystem, and we have decided to begin with mobiles and electronic products. We initiated two concepts: e-commerce and re-commerce. Since our ultimate ambition is to work with e-waste, our next step involves dealing with broken and non-functional phones that cannot be reused. We have started working on this at a small scale this year, collecting these phones and partnering with businesses that deal with such dead phones. The goal is to learn and understand this market. Our goal is to get to the end of it. If you look at the mobile market in Bangladesh, you can easily get 30-50 lakhs of scrap phones. I'm talking only about phones. But our eventual plan is to get into all kinds of electronic waste.”

In all assessments, Flipper is just beginning its journey. We will closely follow the company's progress and where it goes from here.

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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