LightCastle has recently completed a study for IFC titled- ‘Tackling Childcare in Bangladesh: The Business Benefits and Challenges of Employer-Supported Childcare’. We talked to 300+ employers and 40 other stakeholders to better understand the existing childcare infrastructure landscape in an effort to identify the business case for setting up employer supported childcare facilities. The policy paper was launched yesterday with IFC’s country manager, Wendy Werner, ministry officials and top private and development sector leaders in attendance. Genuinely hope this paper will play a minuscule role in creating a more gender inclusive workforce.

You can download the publication from here: https://lnkd.in/fv7qe9G

Seedstars has recently hosted the local finale of the pitching competition in Bangladesh, which is part of a series of local competitions hosted across the world for seed stage companies. The winning team will be representing Bangladesh in the regional pitching competition. I had a privilege of attending the competition as part of the judging panel and came across a bunch of exciting startups. Thanks to the local Seedstars team for inviting me.

As part of LightCastle’s engagement with WEConnect International and IFC, conducted capacity building sessions on business strategy, pitching and forward market development for women entrepreneurs. Really enjoyed interacting with a bunch of promising entrepreneurs from sectors ranging from ICT, Jute diversified product, architecture, catering to handicrafts.

The Richardson Center recently hosted a session for a visiting group of US based entrepreneurs and executives on the opportunities of Bangladesh as an investment destination. It was a privilege to share the Bangladesh story in presence of Mr. Arif Khan, Managing Director, IDLC Finance and Ms. Tina Jabeen, Investment Adviser, Startup Bangladesh, ICT Ministry.

LightCastle recently co-hosted an event in Singapore on the investment opportunities in Bangladesh, in collaboration with Startup Dhaka and Accelerating Asia. I had the privilege of presenting the opportunities for entering Bangladesh as an international investor, with focus on sector specific opportunities, policy imperatives and benefits of operating in Bangladesh.

You can download the report from here: https://lnkd.in/fGeKNmh