Towfiq Ul Alam Rajib is the co-founder of Z Pack-a packaging company based in Dhaka. Z Pack is the winner of Bangladesh StartUp Cup 2014 and about to attend Global StartUp Cup this year. Towfiq worked in packaging industry before starting Z Pack and he believes there is a lot to be done in this industry.
Recently we spoke to Towfiq to know more about Z Pack, its journey, business, how Bangladesh StartUp Cup shaped Z Pack as a startup since it was part of the program, his plan for Z Pack in coming days and more.
[blockquote source]The idea of Z Pack is to create one stop platform for providing innovative and high quality packaging solutions. Z Pack is a diversified provider of consumer packaging, hologram, industrial products, protective packaging and packaging supply chain services.[/blockquote]
Please tell us briefly about yourself.
I am Towfiq Ul Alam Rajib. After my MBA, I worked in the packaging industry for few years, doing business for others. Packaging industry is a quite big industry. I saw many gaps and opportunities to improve. But being an employee you can do only so much. So, I thought what if I start a packaging company and try my ideas. That’s how Z Pack started.
What is your core idea?
The idea of Z Pack is to create one stop platform for providing innovative and consumer preferred packaging solutions. Z Pack aims to provide diversified provider of consumer packaging, hologram, industrial products, protective packaging and packaging supply chain services. We aim to bring innovation to this industry and want to serve our customers best.
What is your business model? How do you plan to generate revenue?
Our business model is simple. We take order from customers and supply best quality products at a competitive price.
Who are the co founders?
Mesbahul Alom and I started Z pack together.
[blockquote source]Initially, we invested from our own pocket.[/blockquote]
At what stage are you now with your startup?
At this moment we don’t have our own manufacturing unit. We work in collaboration with various packaging product manufacturers. We develop design and then get it manufactured from our partner manufacturers.
We are working on our first manufacturing unit which will be launched soon. This will enable us to manufacture part of our whole manufacturing need.
How did you manage your initial fund?
Initially, we invested from our own pocket.
[blockquote source]Bangladesh StartUp Cup taught us to think from a business perspective. The mentors and judges were very cooperative in helping and giving feedback.[/blockquote]
What do you think about Bangladesh Startup Cup?
The competition provided the participants with an opportunity to learn how to do business from some skilled and experienced mentors and judges.
How did Bangladesh Startup Cup help in your journey in terms of attracting investors?
Well, previously we were not sure who was going to fund our business or how to convince them to fund us. This competition helped us to prepare our idea in such a way that now investors approach us by themselves.
What are the few good things about the cup?
Bangladesh StartUp Cup taught us to think from a business perspective. The mentors and judges were very cooperative in helping and giving feedback. It helped us to turn our idea into structured business and also to know our business inside out.
What better do you expect from the next Bangladesh StartUp Cup?
I would expect more financial sessions because not every participant belongs to business background and at times it gets really difficult for them to deal with finance and prepare a sound financial plan.
Interview by Fatema Mohammad, Images by Z Pack
