Bangladeshi Breakthrough: Startups Score in Forbes’ Spotlight

Bangladesh’s tech sector has witnessed a remarkable achievement this year, as internationally acclaimed magazine Forbes Asia has included two Bangladeshi startups, Pathao and Shombhob, in its prestigious “100 to Watch 2025” list.

Forbes compiles this list to highlight promising and fast-growing startups across the Asia-Pacific region. This year, companies from 16 countries made the list, with Pathao and Shombhob drawing special attention.

Pathao: From Ride-Sharing to Fintech
Launched in 2015, Pathao has evolved from a ride-sharing service into a comprehensive city-based digital platform. Headquartered in Dhaka, the company also operates in Nepal. Through its app, Pathao now provides ride-sharing, food delivery, logistics, e-commerce, and fintech services.

With over 60 million app downloads, 70 million successful trips and orders, and employment opportunities for nearly 500,000 people, Pathao has raised more than USD 50 million to date, including USD 12 million in pre-Series B funding in 2024.

Pathao CEO Fahim Ahmed said, “Being included in Forbes Asia’s ‘100 to Watch’ list, along with Pathao’s 10th anniversary, are two achievements that reflect our progress. We are committed to bringing positive change to people’s lives.”

Shombhob: Pioneering Inclusive Employment
Founded in May 2022, Shombhob leverages technology to create employment opportunities for blue-collar and silver-collar workers. The platform offers job seekers digital professional profiles, training courses, and direct access to employers.

The startup focuses particularly on advancing sustainable employment for low-income women. In 2023, Shombhob received a USD 300,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and in 2024, it raised USD 1 million in pre-seed funding led by Cocoon Capital, Singapore.

Co-founder and CEO Rifad Hossain stated, “Shombhob means feasible. We are showing that technology-driven, inclusive employment is not only possible but also profitable.”

Global Recognition for Bangladesh’s Startup Ecosystem
Experts believe the inclusion of Pathao and Shombhob in Forbes’ list marks a strong advance for Bangladesh’s startup ecosystem. Partnerships with international organizations like UNICEF, Swisscontact, and Roots of Impact, along with increased adoption of technology, have made Bangladeshi startups more visible on the global stage.

“This recognition will serve as a beacon of inspiration for future young entrepreneurs,” observers noted.