Global Mentors,
Local Founders
B/deshi Catalyst is an accelerator and mentorship program leveraging the Bangladeshi diaspora to help local founders unlock their potential and take their companies to the next level.
B/deshi Catalyst connects high-potential Bangladeshi founders with experienced mentors from the diaspora, introducing global standards for how to operate and scale. The program is tailored to meet the specific needs of local founders, incorporating their feedback to ensure relevance and impact.
Key Program Pillars
Understanding your customers and their needs is key to building a product that resonates. Conducting thorough research and prioritizing the right features at the right time is crucial. Avoid the pitfall of trying to do everything at once—focus on delivering what matters now while keeping your long-term vision in sight.
A great product means little if it doesn't reach the right audience. Effective distribution is paramount to acquiring, retaining, and engaging customers. Mastering the art of customer acquisition and retention is vital to building a sustainable business.
Whether through fundraising, cash flow, or grants, securing capital to execute your strategy is critical for success. Effective management of runway, operating expenses, and unit economics is essential to maintaining solvency and ensuring long-term viability for any organization.
Unique Advantages
B/deshi Invest
Being part of B/deshi Catalyst qualifies companies to access capital through B/deshi Invest, a funding platform connecting them with investors from the diaspora and beyond.
Access to Partners
B/deshi Catalyst partners with global accelerators and investors. Pre-vetting by the program helps founders quickly build trust with these networks.
How is Catalyst Different?
Flexibility
We understand that every entrepreneur's journey is unique. Instead of imposing mandatory sessions or rigid timelines, we tailor our support to meet their specific needs.
Personalized Mentors
Entrepreneurs in our program have access to a curated network of mentors and advisors who can provide targeted guidance on various aspects of their business.
Indefinite Timeline
The program continues until founders reach key milestones, such as securing institutional funding or determining that the model doesn't work.
No Fees or Equity
The program does not take any fees or equity. Why? Because better equipped founders with succcessful startups create a stronger ecosystem for all.
Selected Mentors
Aaisha Bhuiyan
Hustle Fund
Dinar Ahmed
BDC
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Fardeem Munir
Ramp
Laviva Mazhar
Luge Capital
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Monji Dolon
Measured
Naadia Quader
Northwestern Mutual
Naasik Islam
DigitalOcean
Rosina Mazumder
Arogga
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Sakib Jamal
Crossbeam Venture Partners
Shamima Khan
Intuit
Shamma Raghib
Microsoft
Tahseen Rashid
HOF Capital
Taneem Taldar
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Waiz Rahim
Sturgeon Capital
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Mentors Expectations
Understanding the Business
Mentors take time to understand the founder's vision, business structure, and long-term goals. This helps ensure that all advice is relevant and aligned with the startup's unique challenges and opportunities.
Strategic, Expert Guidance
Leveraging their experiences, mentors deliver important industry insights and strategic guidance. They support founders in making informed decisions and help them evade common challenges in scaling their businesses.
Founder-Led Roadmapping
Rather than setting goals for the founders, mentors assist them in crafting their own roadmap. They encourage founders to take ownership of their decisions, fostering independent leadership.
Ownership of Outcomes
Mentors offer valuable perspectives but leave the responsibility for outcomes with the founder. This approach supports growth by promoting accountability and reinforcing the founder's leadership role.
Partners
Want to Be a Mentor?
If you are interested to contribute to the success of Bangladeshi founders and have relevant experience, apply to be a mentor for B/deshi Catalyst.