'Founders against Covid-19' launched

When many businesses are seeking a way to recover from the present crisis due to the effect of the coronavirus shutdown, sBusiness along with The Business Standard, Don Sumdany Facilitation and Consultancy, and Better Stories created a timely platform named "Founders against Covid-19".

While talking at a virtual inauguration programme of the platform on Monday evening, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, state minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT), said, "In a bid to support the startups and mid-size IT companies with co-working place at its IT Parks in big cities, the government has taken an initiative named Startups BD Limited."

"Through this platform, the government will provide Tk50 crore for the investment on startups. I believe tech giants will grow in our country in future and to make it happen, all have to work together. sBusiness (a platform of Sheba.xyz) is doing that task bringing several businesses in one platform," Palak said.

"Creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, co-creation and co-investment are needed to grow a business," the minister added.

Due to Covid-19 pandemic, startups and mid-sized companies are facing unprecedented challenges.

As per Light Castle, approximately 80 percent startups and mid-sized companies are experiencing complete shutdown. Their challenges are - stopped cash inflow, drop in sales and customer acquisition. 

To bring a relief for the tensed entrepreneurs, sBusiness created this platform - "Founders against Covid-19". 

Through the platform, the SMEs can internally buy and sell products and services with a fair deal, compare the best qualities and honest pricing at one place.

Currently, it is offering several services including human resources, co-working spaces, accounting solutions, recharging, cleaning and disinfecting services etc.

For those, who have not enough financial capability right now, Founders Against Covid-19 is offering Tk10 million credit for them. Each business can avail up to Tk1 Lakh.

Currently, Sheba.xyz is offering two service packages including cost saver packages to minimise expenses and revenue package to sell products or services.

Sharier Khan, executive editor of The Business Standard, said, "All the business-holders depending on government to recover from their business fall, due to coronavirus pandemic. But our government is not capable enough to meet everyone's need."  

"So private initiative is needed too," he said, adding, "Sheba came forward making a platform to ease the hurdle for those who needed it most."

"As it is a good initiative and The Business Standard is a reputed daily focusing on business, that's why we join this platform," Sharier Khan added.

Adnan Imtiaz Halim, CEO of Sheba.xyz, said, "We want to bring all the startups in an integrated service and we will share one service with another."

"We made a virtual office, cutting the cost of physical office rent to lift up business-holders from the crisis," he added.

Ghulam Sumdany Don, chief inspirational officer, Don Sumdany Facilitation and Consultancy, and Minhaz Anwar, chief story teller, Better Stories, echoed Adnan saying, this is the reason we have extended support to create such a platform.

Tina F. Jabeen, investment advisor of Startup Bangladesh, ICT Division and Syed Almas Kabir, president, Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services, also spoke at the programme.