Apon, a trailblazing enterprise in Bangladesh committed to uplifting low-income communities, is set to celebrate its impactful journey, unveil recent achievements, and announce a successful investment raise at the Apon Investment Announcement Ceremony. The investment amount, which has propelled Apon to new heights, will be disclosed during the event.
Diverse Industry Representation: A diverse audience representing various industries, including fintech, retail, manufacturing, banking, and the startup ecosystem, is expected to attend this prestigious event.
Key Highlights of the Ceremony:
Chief Guest and Special Guests: Honourable State Minister, Mr. Zunaid Ahmed Palak, MP, Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, graced the event as the Chief Guest. Faruque Hassan, President of BGMEA, and Sami Ahmed, Managing Director of Startup Bangladesh Ltd., attended as Special Guests. Neela Hosna Ara, Director BGMEA and investor of Apon Bazaar & Co-Founder and Chairperson, Crony Group, also attended as a distinguished guest.
Event Features:
- Audio-visual presentation showcasing Apon’s journey and impact.
- App launching ceremony.
- Countdown to the investment announcement.
- Speeches by notable dignitaries.
- Panel discussion on “Financial Inclusion for Low-Income in Bangladesh.”
- Networking opportunities and dinner.
About Apon: Apon, established in 2017, has been on a mission to uplift low-income communities, particularly industrial workers, with innovative financial solutions. By 2025, Apon aims to benefit 1 million industrial workers, generating a cumulative savings of USD 1 million for them. The company has already made significant strides in financial inclusion, offering grocery credit, promoting financial literacy, and improving healthcare access for millions.
Why Apon is Different: Apon’s evolution from a conventional grocery business to a digital-first platform in 2022 has significantly impacted the lives of workers, especially women, in the RMG sector. Apon’s customer-centric innovation includes interest-free grocery credit, purchase discounts, targeted loans, and free health insurance, lightening the financial load for workers and improving their overall quality of life.
Notable Growth and Recognition: Apon has received recognition for its meaningful business initiatives, winning the Fintech Challenge by Finlab Bangladesh, participating in the UNCDF Financial Inclusion Project, and winning the Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge in 2019, among other accolades.
Recent Investment: Apon has closed its investment round post achieving financial sustainability, a rarity in today’s startup landscape. The oversubscribed seed round attracted high valuation and investments from US venture capital Village Capital, Startup Bangladesh, and undisclosed angel investors. The total investment amount will be disclosed at the upcoming event.
Quotes: Saif Rashid, CEO of Apon, expressed excitement about the investment, stating, “This investment not only validates our vision but also strengthens our resolve to revolutionize financial inclusion for Bangladesh’s industrial workers.”
Chief Guest, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, commended Apon’s achievements as “a beacon of innovation and social responsibility.”
Special Guest, Sami Ahmed, Managing Director of Startup Bangladesh Ltd., praised Apon’s dedication to revolutionizing financial inclusion and improving worker’s well-being.
Faruque Hossain, President of BGMEA, emphasized Apon’s commitment to enhancing the lives of industrial workers and promoting financial inclusion.
The Apon Investment Announcement Ceremony promises to be a landmark event, showcasing the intersection of technology, social impact, and entrepreneurship in driving positive change for Bangladesh’s industrial workers.
