Over a hundred agritech entrepreneurs, investors, and development partners gathered at the Interactive Cares Skill Center in Dhanmondi on Friday for Agro-Founder Connect, an event hosted by Light of Hope Ventures to explore the future of Bangladesh’s agriculture sector.
The programme brought together around 100 founders from across the country, including agri-tech innovators, cattle farmers, and exporters, who shared insights, strategies, and success stories aimed at enhancing productivity, sustainability, and market access.
Waliullah Bhuiyan, Founder of Light of Hope Ventures, highlighted the sector’s potential for startup-driven transformation. He said, “We believe the next wave of impactful startups in Bangladesh will emerge from the agriculture sector. Agro-innovation isn’t just about technology — it’s about improving livelihoods, building climate resilience, and ensuring food security for millions.”
The event featured dynamic discussions on the transformative potential of modern practices and digital tools. Muntasir Shakib Khan, Country Director of IFDC, led a session on how technology can reshape farming, while Mujahidul Islam Jahid of Freshie Farm spoke on high-value agro-products and rural enterprise opportunities. Jahid Hossain, founder of Export Sheba, shared strategies for Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to enter global markets and strengthen the country’s agro-export potential.
Participants engaged in lively debates on value-added farming, sustainable practices, and export readiness. An interactive Q&A session rounded off the programme, enabling founders to exchange ideas and address challenges in scaling agro-startups.
“Our goal is to create a platform where founders can share ideas, build partnerships, and learn from each other,” Waliullah Bhuiyan said. “Light of Hope Ventures is committed to nurturing these connections that can lead to real, lasting impact.”
Positioning itself as the “Y Combinator for Bangladeshi SMEs,” Light of Hope Ventures aims to empower promising local entrepreneurs through mentorship, investment, and market access.
The Ventures supports entrepreneurs across agriculture, education, manufacturing, services, and emerging technologies through mentorship, investment matchmaking, and market exposure. Its community now includes over 1,000 SME and startup founders across eight sectors.
From its beginnings as a passion project for young entrepreneurs, the platform has grown into a thriving ecosystem that stays true to its motto: “for founders, by founders.”
Agro-Founder Connect demonstrated how collaboration and innovation can reshape one of Bangladesh’s oldest and most vital industries.
