Investing in female-led businesses

In the world of business, women are constantly defying everyone's expectations and breaking barriers like never before. In recent years, the number of successful women-led businesses has increased ten-fold and they are now leaders in numerous enterprises across a number of industries such as tech, finance, and fashion, amongst others.

WeScale is a cross-regional accelerator in South Asia focused on women-led startups that are eager to raise initial funds for their companies. They are also a part of the South Asia Regional Digital Initiative (SARDI) by USAID's Innovation and Research (ITR) Hub, Technology Division (ITR/T). They are the forerunners in backing highly potential startups and bringing together angel investors, stakeholders, and women entrepreneurs who have exceptional products or services.

WeScale Local Stakeholder Networking was a phenomenal initiative to uplift women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh and offer them a good opportunity in pitching their businesses to various stakeholders. The event took place on 26 April 2023 at MOAR Gulshan, a lovely productive co-working space.

The event was organised by BD Angels and was a culmination of a 10-week accelerator programme where 20 women-led startups were advised and trained for a formal pitch deck in front of many potential investors and stakeholders who are going to or already have invested in these startups. They received numerous applications from referrals and through their website. They have a robust vetting process by which they can highlight the potential successful businesses and proceed to network them with interested investors.

BD Angels also provide startups with a lot of support and advice throughout their business journey. They are focused on raising funds and facilitating investments like a quasi-investment bank, the first of its kind in Bangladesh. They put startups through a two-month programme in which they monitor, guide, and polish the profiles of said startups before pitching them to investors. Even if the outcome is not successful in the given time period, they are constantly in touch with the startup companies for potential breakthroughs and progress.

Nowadays, about 20-30 per cent of companies are led by women entrepreneurs which is a far cry from the 5 per cent that existed in the last decade. That is why BD Angels are being more inclusive and bringing in more investment from women-led companies. They came to the conclusion that the more inclusive and dynamic they are in their choices, the more beneficial and profitable it is for everyone.

Their goal with this event was to find the best women-led businesses, not only startups but also SMEs which gives them a wider pool of candidates to invest in and to assist. They are always on the lookout and always have events and learning opportunities going on. Although most of these events are online, something they call 'digital learning sessions', they are now focusing on physical events to connect like-minded people with each other.