Bangladesh has seen significant growth in its startup ecosystem in the last ten years, attracting a diverse group of founders, investors, and innovators. Despite this progress, there is a persistent challenge in ensuring more women have the opportunity to take on leadership roles in entrepreneurship and innovation. Addressing this issue is the main goal of BWIN (Bangladesh Women Investment Network), a program focused on guiding, mentoring, and backing women who aim to establish their careers, ventures, and ideas.
Operating as a branch of Bangladesh Angels Network (BAN), a prominent angel investment network in the country, BWIN is embarking on a new phase with the appointment of Alavee Hossain as its President on March 9. This collaboration brings together Ivy Huq Russell, the CEO of BAN, and Alavee Hossain, both of whom have diverse backgrounds and experiences in global financial hubs, entrepreneurial endeavors, and community projects, uniquely positioning them to inspire the next wave of Bangladeshi women.
Both Ivy Huq Russell and Alavee Hossain have amassed international experience during their careers abroad, which now shapes their work in Bangladesh. Ivy Huq Russell started her journey in global finance after completing her MSc in Finance and Economics from Warwick Business School. She worked with HSBC Alternatives in London and later with Fisher Investments in Silicon Valley, gaining expertise in investment analysis, portfolio strategy, and global client relationships. Despite her successful finance career, Ivy’s entrepreneurial spirit led her back to Bangladesh, where she founded Maya Apa, a pioneering health-tech platform. The platform gained global recognition and partnered with Facebook under the Free Basics initiative, making digital wellbeing services more accessible. Ivy’s leadership has been acknowledged globally, and she now focuses on early-stage investment in Bangladesh as the CEO of BAN.
Alavee Hossain, on the other hand, began her career in the United States after completing degrees in Computer Engineering and Fine Arts. She worked with BNY Mellon in New York and later explored wellness and community building in Thailand before returning to Bangladesh. In Dhaka, she co-founded luxury Japanese wellness brands such as Kenshō and Yūgen, embodying a philosophy of balance and mindful living. Alavee has also initiated community projects like Mummy’s Kitchen and Āhara Wood’s, aiming to support home-based mothers and create spaces for collaboration and cultural exchange.
With Alavee Hossain assuming the role of President at BWIN, the platform is poised to expand its mission of supporting female-led startups and SMEs while nurturing women investors who understand the challenges faced by female founders. The ultimate goal is to create a more inclusive and impactful entrepreneurial ecosystem in Bangladesh by providing women with the necessary tools, networks, and support to succeed.
BWIN’s core initiatives will include grooming and development sessions for women at the university level, focusing on essential skills like communication, leadership, and entrepreneurial thinking. The platform also plans to collaborate with universities to host seminars, workshops, and innovation sessions to expose students to real-world entrepreneurial challenges and connect them with mentors and industry leaders.
BWIN’s strategy emphasizes community building before capital, aiming to cultivate a vibrant network through workshops, innovation seminars, and community-led programs. By identifying promising entrepreneurs and potential female investors, BWIN aims to provide mentorship and resources to help develop ideas into viable ventures, all while expanding the network of supportive investors.
For women looking to venture into entrepreneurship, BWIN will offer practical support in developing business ideas, creating pitch decks, and preparing for investor interactions. Through Bangladesh Angels Network, promising startups will have access to angel investors and venture capital opportunities to bridge the gap between ideas and funding.
The collaboration between Ivy Huq Russell and Alavee Hossain signifies a shared commitment to making Bangladesh’s innovation ecosystem more inclusive for women. By leveraging their global experiences and insights, they aim to equip young women with the tools and confidence needed to shape the future of the entrepreneurial landscape. With Alavee taking the lead as BWIN’s President, the platform is entering a new phase focused on mentorship, community building, and creating real opportunities for Bangladeshi women to make a meaningful impact.