Archives: Members List

Rashel joined Startup Bangladesh in 2022 and focuses on early and growth stage internet services and mobile technology startups. He is responsible for Sourcing and Screening Deals, Preparing Investment Thesis, Performing Due Diligence on Potential Business Investments, Structuring and Executing Deals, Managing and Monitoring Portfolio Companies at Startup Bangladesh.

Prior to Startup Bangladesh, Rashel worked with BD Venture Limited; a homegrown pioneer Venture Capital firm and CVC Finance Limited; a fast-paced Financial Institution licensed by the Central Bank of Bangladesh where he closed several Venture Capital and Private Equity Deals.

Having actively been involved in the startup ecosystem since 2015, he has developed a strong network of ecosystem players. He understands why startups blossom and why they fail, and how to lead them to grow. He loves interacting with entrepreneurs and helping them grow.

For strengthening his passion in Venture Capital and Private Equity, he has participated in numerous training and acquired considerable knowledge on Alternative Investment domain.
Rashel holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with major in Finance & Banking, and Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance from Patuakhali Science and Technology University.

Cell: +8801787802505

Email: rashel@startupbangladeshvc.gov.bd

Md Dewan Adnan joined the Startup Bangladesh Limited team in 2022 as an Investment Manager bringing over 8 years’ experience of working with startups, innovation and young leaders in Bangladesh. Prior to joining Startup Bangladesh Limited, he worked as a consultant for the Innovation Design and Entrepreneurship Academy (iDEA) Project of ICT Division for almost 5 years. He was the primary consultant for the startups on behalf of the project and guided the startups as required. He also helped the project plan and manage several national-level programs like “Student to Startup” to boost the startup ecosystem of Bangladesh.

Adnan is an Electronic and Computer Engineer by training. He achieved his Bachelor of Science Degree from the Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy.
Before working for the Government, he taught Computer Science and Engineering in two reputed private universities in Bangladesh. He loves to work with young leaders, meet people and visit new places.

Cell: +8801723551057

Email: adnan@startupbangladeshvc.gov.bd

Monirul brings more than 21 years working experience in Government and Multinational Organizations and has hands on experience on corporate governance, companies act. Prior to this role, he was the Senior Consultant (Product Innovation Specialist) in the iDEA Project of ICT Division. This role enabled him to work closely with different Ministries of the Governement of Bangladesh; especially ICT Division, Finance, Legislative, Planning and Cabinet Division.

Earlier in his career, he held several Senior Managerial positions in the Private Telecommunications industry of Bangladesh, including experiences with Fiber@Home Limited (NTTN Operator in Bangladesh), Pacific Bangladesh Telecom Limited (1st Mobile Operator in Bangladesh) after starting his career as an Assitant Director of Bangladesh Bank, the Central Bank of Bangladesh.

Monirul completed his Bachelors in Computer Science & Engineering from (Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET). In his personal life, he likes to do mentoring, collecting and reading books and travelling whenever he can manage time.

Cell: +8801711930970

Email: monirul@startupbangladeshvc.gov.bd

Hasan A. Arif is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of global experience in financial services and technology management. Throughout his career, he has held numerous senior management positions in the USA, showcasing a strong track record of leadership and success.

Hasan is known for his effectiveness and results-driven approach in the financial services industry. He has an exceptional history of advancing to senior management roles with increasing complexity and responsibility. His leadership in private equity and investment management is well-established, having successfully managed multi-billion-dollar global investment management clients.

As a product and platform leader, Hasan has extensive experience in technology management, specializing in the strategic deployment and optimization of complex financial products, including derivative instruments, and end-to-end business processes. His background includes significant experience with venture funding and financial institutions, providing him with deep expertise in startup due diligence and mentoring within accelerators and incubators.

Hasan is a collaborative and respected leader, known for building high-performing teams that consistently exceed business goals and customer expectations. Before joining Startup Bangladesh Limited, he was Vice President at State Street Corporation, one of the world’s largest asset management companies, located in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
He holds a master’s degree in Economics from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.

Cell: +880 1765-079005
Email: hasanarif@startupbangladeshvc.gov.bd

Mr. Shish Haider Chowdhury, NDC, MCIPS Joined Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division as the Secretary on 15 September 2024. Prior to that, he was an Additional Secretary worked as Member (International Cooperation) in the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission under Ministry of Commerce. Mr. Shish Haider Chowdhury is a member of the Bangladesh Civil Service 9^th batch Audit and Accounts Cadre joined in the Service on 26 January 1991. Mr. Chowdhury is an accomplished professional with about 32 years career in various fields combining Public Financial Management, Public Procurement, Project Management, International Cooperation, Trade Facilitation, International Development, WTO matters, and Inter-governmental issues. In his long career, he was posted in different important appointments since beginning namely, Joint Secretary, MOPA; Ministry of Public Administration (MOPA); Director (Joint Secretary), CPTU, IMED; Deputy Secretary, Finance Division; Deputy Secretary, MOPA; Additional CGA (Admin); Director, FAPAD; Finance Controller (Army); Deputy Project Director of IDA TA Project, Economic Relations Division (ERD) etc. Mr. Chowdhury also served in the International Jute Organisation (IJO) a UN affiliated intergovernmental body during 1997- 2002 on lien.

Mr. Shish Haider Chowdhury did his Honours and Masters in Accounting from the Department of Accounting and Information Systems of Dhaka University. After that he did Masters in Business Administration (MBA) major in Finance from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) of Dhaka University. He got his third Masters in Public Economic Management and Finance from the University of Birmingham of the United Kingdom under DFID Funding. He is undergoing his PhD with area of concentration “External Oversight and Public Financial Management” in Bangladesh University of Professional (BUP). He has obtained his professional degree MCIPS from the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply of the United Kingdom. He did his National Defense Course (NDC) from the National Defense College, the most prestigious Institute of the Armed Forces, with national and international participants. During his extensive professional career, he participated in numerous training programs covering in the areas of Development Administration (DAM, ACAD, SSC and PPMC), Public Finance, Public Procurement, iBAS++, e-GP, Project Management, ICT issues, Trade and Development etc. in Bangladesh, India, UK, USA, Ireland, Netherlands, Italy, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Mauritius etc.

With the prior approval of the Government, Mr. Chowdhury has been teaching in the IBA of Jahangir Nagar University as an adjunct faculty for the last 31 years. He is a professionally qualified public procurement expert and a certified national procurement trainer. He is also professional trainer of public financial management, supply chain management and project management. He has been covering almost all the training academies of the country as a resource person. He has got a number of publications in the national and international peer reviewed journals in the areas of public financial management, supply chain management, aid management and public procurement. Mr. Chowdhury travelled to numerous numbers of countries of the world to attend meetings, conferences, workshops, seminars and other official businesses.

Mr. Shish Haider Chowdhury is happily married, and is the proud father of two sons and a daughter.