The Stars of Innovative Investments

InveStar BD is more than just a startup; it’s a movement. It’s a journey to uplift, educate, and empower individuals, transforming them into astute investors ready to shape their financial destiny. With each success story and every barrier broken, InveStar  BD brings us closer to a future where financial inclusion and empowerment are not just ideals but tangible realities.

The InveStar BD Journey

InveStar BD sets out to revolutionize Bangladesh’s capital market. But as they delved deeper, they unearthed a more pressing issue: the glaring lack of financial literacy, particularly among women. The founder and chairman of InveStar BD, Farihan F. Rahman, stated, “And we also noticed that there is also a huge lack of women investors in Bangladesh, and we wanted to target them. We wanted to teach them so that they could also learn about investing in general and join our platform.”

This realization led to a paradigm shift, with education becoming a central goal. Their platform would not merely facilitate investments; it would empower the next generation of tech-savvy investors and bridge gender gaps in finance.

One of InveStar BD’s proudest achievements is eliminating geographical barriers that previously hindered investment. The platform allows individuals from all corners of the country to invest without incurring additional costs.

Partnerships with multinational businesses, such as the collaboration of InveStar with Microsoft, are considered a major turning point that brings innovation and technology to the local startup industry. The Startup Founders Hub offers substantial resources and support, with opportunities valued up to USD 350,000. In addition to financial assistance, they frequently provide mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to a broader market. This partnership indicates a belief in InveStar’s capability to contribute to the growth and development of the Bangladeshi startup ecosystem.

“Imagine this: you’re sitting in a remote part of the country, brimming with investment ideas. But there’s a catch: you’d have to make a trip to Dhaka, the central hub, just to invest a small sum. And let’s be real, the transportation hassle could easily dampen your enthusiasm. But here’s where things get exciting: our platform sweeps in to save the day. It’s all digital, from opening your bank account to making investments. And there are no added costs, just some government-approved fees.” added Co-founder of InveStar BD, Dipro Kaiser Chowdhury. The vision here is clear: create an inclusive investment landscape and encourage women to shatter traditional norms, leading to a more balanced financial future.

In 2020, there was a significant increase in global investments in fintech companies, with totals reaching approximately $105 billion. This increase shows the sector’s exceptional interest and growth potential. Over $44 billion in global venture capital investments were made in fintech companies in the same year. Additionally, forecasts indicate that the global fintech market will experience a considerable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 23% between 2021 and 2026, highlighting the opportunities that await innovative startups.

InveStar  BD is not just a Local Endeavor; It’s a Global Invitation

Foreign investors are often attracted to Bangladesh’s potential but wary of its risks. To build trust, the startup strategizes via information campaigns, community events, and diaspora connections. Their goal is to redefine perceptions, painting Bangladesh as both an exciting and secure investment destination. Farihan also stated, “Another goal is to bring foreign investment to Bangladesh. If we can offer an easy, efficient, and user-friendly platform that is available worldwide, we will be able to attract investment from overseas.”

Crucial to this transformation is policy reform. InveStar BD envisions a seamless onboarding process for investors, both local and foreign. They’re actively advocating for policy updates that simplify account openings and ensure the secure repatriation of funds. By facilitating ease of access, InveStar BD aims to boost foreign investments and harness Bangladesh’s burgeoning reputation on the global stage. 

A beacon of hope lies in InveStar BD’s commitment to education. They recognize that financial literacy is pivotal to making informed decisions. And about 63% of people around the world lack basic financial literacy. To address the misinformation rampant in the financial landscape, they provide free knowledge, available in both Bangla and English.

Dipro added, “Our objective is to educate individuals about the diverse asset classes available in Bangladesh. Initially, our primary focus lies on university students, aiming to equip them with comprehensive knowledge of various asset classes. This foundational understanding empowers them to make informed investment decisions aligned with their interests. When it comes to risk appetite, education plays a pivotal role. Well-informed individuals can better comprehend risks and make independent decisions.” 

“For instance, consider someone interested in a seemingly secure investment option. Through the platform, they can also explore investment options like fixed deposits, and govt. bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs which are considered secure, as well as more risky options like Stocks and startups which have high return potential. Our goal is to guide individuals towards making well-considered and informed investment choices,” he continued.

The investment experts emphasized how individuals are embracing entrepreneurship in place of traditional jobs. “I think people are stepping out of the usual mindset that finishing studies means you have to settle into a regular 9-to-5 job. Starting a startup isn’t easy at all; it takes a lot of courage and the ability to be okay with failure because, as you know, most start-ups fail.”  This shift in mindset is evident in the increasing interest in startups and innovation.

Over 1.7 billion people worldwide do not have bank accounts, but fintech platforms can provide them with access to financial services. InveStar BD offers a comprehensive investing platform to simplify investment using various financial accounts, particularly online bank accounts and digital wallets. InveStar focuses on providing a one-stop solution for investing that serves both current and potential account holders. The objective of the platform is to facilitate micro-investments, diversify the capital market, and encourage long-term growth. 

The app comprises two key aspects: direct investment in financial asset classes and personalized recommendations.

InveStar users can explore investment categories, educate themselves about different asset classes, and receive guidance for their investment choices. This all-in-one approach simplifies the investment process, offering convenience and efficiency that set it apart from other platforms.

Bringing Fluidity in Investments through Technology 

InveStar BD doesn’t stop at traditional investment avenues. They’re carving out new paths, starting with an art marketplace. By showcasing local artists and their creations, they’re tapping into the ever-growing value of art as an asset.

“What we want is to showcase the artists and artworks of our country. To provide them with a platform. It can be an online marketplace where people from different corners of the country will get to know the diverse categories of artworks and purchase them. They’re also embracing the concept of angel investing under the guidelines of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) & Bangladesh Securities & Exchange Commission (BSEC), which empowers start-ups with a platform to attract early investments, just like their global counterparts,” Farihan comments.

The future shines brightly for InveStar BD. With a commitment to constant innovation and adaptability, they aspire to expand their offerings, potentially including commodities, foreign exchange, and more, as policies evolve. This dedication to staying ahead of the curve cements their role as trailblazers in Bangladesh’s investment landscape.