Bangladesh VC and startup community mourns Fahim Saleh’s demise

Venture Capital and Private Equity Association of Bangladesh (VCPEAB) hosted a virtual ceremony commemorating Fahim Saleh for the inspiration he set for young founders through his contribution in Bangladesh startup industry. 

In the event, they mourned his sudden demise and lauded how Fahim has founded and invested in many innovative start-ups including Pathao, Gokada, Jobike among others at the age of 33.

The commemoration was joined by State Minister of ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak and Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Education Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury, as the main speakers. 

The event was moderated by Shameem Ahsan, chairman of VCPEAB.

Zunaid Ahmed Palak mourned the demise of Fahim Saleh and called him a man of exceptional innovative mind. 

"His sudden departure comes as a shock to us. We have lost a very talented young entrepreneur from our tech sector." he said.

Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury said, "Due to his successes, many young entrepreneurs are now pursuing new innovative business ideas instead of seeking jobs. We have lost an icon for our upcoming young generation of entrepreneurs." 

"Fahim Saleh has become an iconoclast to the start-up ecosystem of Bangladesh, while he pursued his passion for start-up businesses globally," VCPEAB Chairman Shameem Ahsan said.

Shameem also added, "Fahim was the shining example of an entrepreneur in the tech world with an unparalleled vision to innovate in developing countries. While Fahim and I worked in the board of Jobike and other initiatives, I discovered he was visionary, innovative and aggressive in terms of execution. The tragic news of his demise saddens us, and we have lost a true entrepreneur, who reshaped how we view startups in our country."

General Secretary of VCPEAB Shawkat Hossain put emphasis on the contributions of Fahim Saleh and how the void created by his sudden absence will be felt. 

"Startups like Pathao, founded by young entrepreneurs like Fahim, are the trailblazers in our startup economy. The gaps created by absence of a visionary like him cannot be filled easily," he said.

Founding Partner and CEO of Anchorless Bangladesh Rahat Ahmed remarked Saleh as not only an entrepreneur but also an inspiration, who inspired many entrepreneurs to build a community of tech startups in Bangladesh.

Director of ASL System Ltd and Co-founder of Jetechao Mehnaz Tabassum said that there is need for more entrepreneurs like him. 

"While working with him for Jetechao.com, I found out that he brought an international calibre in our country. Losing him brings the startup community to point of pain and sorrow," she said.

"He was a great motivation and role model for young entrepreneurs. It is a huge loss for all of us." Founder & Managing Director of Maslin Capital Ltd Wali-Ul-Maroof Matin said.

"You need initial successes in a specific geography for the startup ecosystem to grow in the geographic region. Fahim did just that for our ecosystem through Pathao, Jobike and his other investments," said Partner of Inflection Ventures Ltd Tanveer Ali, praising the effect Fahim Saleh had on the Bangladesh startup economy while mourning his death. 

Pathao CEO Hussain M Elius described Fahim's untimely death as devastating and shocking. 

"Fahim saw the potential in us, when Pathao was just an idea. I have met very few visionaries like him - he was a true builder," Hussain M Elius said.

Mehedi Reza, Founder and CEO of Jobike applauded Fahim to be a true inspiration for himself and the tech community. 

He said, "Fahim Saleh was the one who first believed in Jobike, our dream, our vision and came forward to support us to build Jobike. He is our first Angel and will remain the same!"