Team

Bijon is the co-founder and CEO of LightCastle Partners, an organization that focuses on creating data-driven opportunities for growth and impact for development partners, corporates, SMEs and Startups.

Over the last seven years, Bijon has led the company in engagements across 150+ businesses/development partners, 1,500+ SMEs/Startups and 50+ accelerator programs in multiple industries including Technology, Agriculture, Health, Energy and Manufacturing.

Recently, LightCastle has also partnered to launch a Smart Capital Investment Program which facilitates growth capital for SMEs/Startups. Additionally, LightCastle is also a local partner to Biniyog Briddhi – a first of its kind catalytic funding/impact investments program jointly run by Roots of Impact and Swiss Development Corporation. Recently, LightCastle has also been appointed as a deal-sourcing and due-diligence partner for multiple public and private investors.

Previously Bijon has worked with Citibank, N.A. and Citi Foundation and oversaw the execution of Bangladesh’s first Interest Rate Swap, Equity Convertible Bonds, Largest IPO, Microfinance Securitization and Block Equity Trades. Due to outstanding performance, Bijon had received the CEO Excellence Awards for two years in a row in the organization.

In 2015 Bijon was nominated as 15 under 35 in Bangladesh by Future Startup (leading Startup media in Bangladesh) and Top 7 Rising Young CEOs by Startup Dhaka. Bijon is an active ecosystem builder and has attended 100+ entrepreneurship development events as judge/panelist/resource-person including Startup Weekend, Startup Cup, Entrepreneurship World Cup (GEN), Global Startup Weekend, Facebook Circle, She Loves Tech, Founders Institute and Innovation Extreme.

Bijon has Bachelors and Masters in Business Administration from the Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka.

Zahed is an entrepreneur and consultant with over 16 years of experience working with development agencies, private enterprises, startups/social enterprises and government entities. He is the Managing Director at LightCastle Partners, a consulting firm dedicated to fostering inclusive economic growth in Bangladesh and beyond through a systemic and data-driven approach. Zahedul holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) at the University of Dhaka.

Zahedul has extensive experience in private sector development, research, program management, landscaping assessment, impact assessment, financial modeling, market entry studies, and consulting for the non-profit, private, and development sectors across more than 15 sectors (agriculture, RMG & Textiles, WASH, digital businesses) and cross-cutting themes including financial inclusion and sustainable & circular finance. He has successfully led over 150 projects for top-tier clients such as The Gates Foundation, WFP, IFC, H&M Foundation, The World Bank, UN Agencies, EKN, BRAC, SNV, Ashoka, A2i, ILO, USDA, World Fish, HSBC, CDC, ADB, ACDI-VOCA, and WaterAid.

Zahed is passionate about research, analysis, geopolitics, macroeconomics, policy analysis, and enterprise development. He mentors young founders and derives joy in guiding them to the next level. He regularly writes on his blog and national dailies on pertinent issues. He is an alum of the International Visitors’ Leadership Program (IVLP) and a social entrepreneurship fellow at the State University of New York (SUNY). Additionally, he is an Acumen fellow.

As an entrepreneur, Ivdad loves to dream big, work more, and talk less. And he believes that his ambition will drive his ability.

Ivdad’s passion for a data-driven economy led him to establish LightCastle Partners as a premier consulting firm in Bangladesh. Working at the intersection of data, development, technology and finance over the past six years, he has helped chart 200+ impact stories by enabling 400+ organizations – spanning private, public and development – become comfortable with data-driven decision making.

He has collaborated with some of the leading corporations, foundations and nonprofits including Boston Consulting Group, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank Group, ACDI VOCA & UN Capital Development Fund. Primarily his work focuses on management consulting, impact investing, and ICT for development.

Ivdad has an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, U.S.A. and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) at the University of Dhaka. While doing his MBA, he spent his summer working between Microsoft and Venture Hive developing strategy and execution plan for the first ever Microsoft Innovation Center in Miami, Florida. He has also consulted for Awethu – one of the largest social entrepreneurship incubators in South Africa – building bridges between social entrepreneurs and science institutes for commercial application of modern scientific products in the context of African economy.

A collaborator at heart, Ivdad is a big believer in the notion that collaboration and competition. He feels most comfortable playing the role of another cog in the wheel. He enjoys business development, communication design and product management. Winning small, aiming tall and constantly having a ball is his mantra in life. One can’t keep him away from reading and traveling in his leisure time.

Md. Mahedi Masud is a highly qualified Chartered Accountant, holding over 5+ years of working in the field of Accounting & Finance, representing firms such as Rahman Rahman Huq (KPMG in Bangladesh). Prior to that, he did his graduation from University of Chittagong. He is highly skilled with numbers, and a master when it comes to accounting and finance. He believes in having a works hands-on with clients providing monthly management accounts, performance reporting, bookkeeping advice, and support. Mahedi always strives to deliver excellent service and is well-equipped with practical financial information. He is also an independent director at LightCastle Partners.

Md. Shah-Nawaj Sojib is a Senior Manager (Accounts & Finance) at LightCastle Partners Ltd. having 7+ years of professional experience including Chartered Accountancy in the field of Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Direct & Indirect Tax, representing firms such as Hoda Vasi Chowdhury & Co under the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB).

He has also qualified as a NBR certified VAT Consultant and completed the PGD in Customs VAT & Income Tax Management with Distinction jointly organized by DCCI Business Institute (DBI) and AIUB. Prior to that, he completed his BBA & MBA in Accounting and Information Systems from the University of Rajshahi.

Before joining LightCastle Partners Ltd. Sojib worked as a Senior Manager (Accounts & Finance) at SaRa Lifestyle Ltd., a well-renowned fashion brand & manufacturing company in Bangladesh – a sister concern of Snowtex Group.

He has professional expertise in the fields of Accounting, Finance, Auditing, and Direct & Indirect Tax from where he is capable of managing the overall financial reports and risk optimization, strengthening control process, management reports & financial statements in compliance with IAS, IFRS as well as local laws & regulations

Zeeshan Abedin brings over 17 years of experience in economic research, impact assessment, and innovation strategy. He combines expertise in scaling public-private-development sector initiatives with a focus on empirical, data-driven approaches.

Zeeshan has led research portfolios at leading organizations including the International Growth Centre (IGC), BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), and Green Delta Insurance PLC. At IGC, he managed programs translating rigorous economic analysis into policy reforms for key ministries of the Government of Bangladesh (GoB). At BIGD, he launched a government engagement vertical blending evidence-based policymaking with capacity building, partnering with donors like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank. Most recently, as Senior Vice President and Head of Research at Green Delta, he established an integrated research and impact practice using proprietary transaction data to drive innovation, strategic ecosystem engagement, and ESG-aligned sustainability metrics.

Alongside his professional roles, Zeeshan’s decade-long academic tenure in Accounting and Finance has honed his skill in distilling complex financial and economic insights for decision-makers and business leaders. He embodies a purpose-led approach committed to equitable, sustainable development through evidence generation, policy analysis, and strategy formulation.

Zeeshan holds an MS in Accounting and Information Management (2008) and a BS in Economics and Finance (Cum Laude, 2007) from The University of Texas at Dallas, completed through a combined fast-track program with full tuition scholarship in four years.

Jamal Uddin is a distinguished expert in the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) sector, boasting over two decades of extensive experience in fostering inclusive business ideation and development, HR business partnering, employee engagement, organizational development, and supply chain management within Bangladesh. His professional journey has spanned across various sectors including Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), garments manufacturing, and food processing, alongside collaborations with international development organizations.

Currently he actively collaborates with private enterprises, NGOs, Chambers of Commerce, academic institutions, and international organizations to institutionalize Inclusive Business practices within Bangladesh. This endeavor stems from his prior achievements in designing and developing 10 innovative inclusive business models, which have notably centered on enhancing the health and well-being of garment industry workers over the past decade.

Throughout his career, he has showcased an exceptional knack for ideation, successfully engaging multiple stakeholders to establish responsible business models aimed at promoting better employment opportunities and heightened productivity. His initiatives have significantly contributed to augmenting the purchasing power of underprivileged garment workers, notably through the establishment of fair price shops within factory premises. These initiatives have set a remarkable precedent, resonating as success stories across the entire garment industry landscape of Bangladesh.

Strong business acumen with a high level of IT and digital expertise, CTO role running the digital division of this Organization. Rasel is a customer-focused product and technology executive with a passion for driving commercial and social change through digital transformation.

He has a track record of success in corporate and startup environments and has strong leadership with vision and excellent team-building and management skills, able to operate in complex environments whilst managing technologists and digital professionals. Rasel has a passion for customer experience and building compelling digital products for customers combining innovative design with high-performance technology.

He has several years of hands-on experience scaling agile development for larger projects and introducing agile development on an enterprise scale.

Rasel is passionate about tech-based inventions and loves to articulate his thoughts by developing creative software applications. His interests range from technology to travel. His current passions include blockchain, cryptography, and Tech for Good!

Saima is a dedicated HR professional with over 10 years of experience driving impactful HR strategies and initiatives across diverse industries and renowned organizations such as the Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC), BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, and WorldFish. Her key expertise is rooted in key HR functions such as recruitment, talent management, performance evaluation, employee relations, and policy development, all while aligning HR practices with organizational objectives to deliver measurable success.Saima is known for her ability to align HR strategies with organizational objectives, driving workforce planning, organizational development, and employee engagement. Her expertise in developing and implementing recruitment policies, managing performance evaluation systems, and leveraging personnel information systems has consistently contributed to organizational success. Saima is committed to fostering workplace positivity, enhancing employee engagement, and promoting a culture of inclusivity and collaboration. With a robust academic foundation, Saima holds a Postgraduate Diploma in HRM from the Bangladesh Institute of Management Studies (BIMS), a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in HRM from North South University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in HRM from East West University.

Currently working as a Principal Business Consultant & Portfolio Manager at LightCastle Partners, Md. Mubassir Rahman brings with him the experience of conducting market and consumer research based on numerous well-established methodologies and global models. Within the Strategy Consulting Team, he dedicates his time to sharpening the research tools, instruments, and analytical approaches, leading to the extraction of impactful granular insights from data.

Omar Farhan Khan is a Principal Business Consultant & Portfolio Manager at LightCastle Partners with expertise in business incubation, accelerators, market value chain analysis, capacity development, and impact assessment with a market systems approach. Omar believes that innovative data-driven solutions will create value for businesses and the economy, solving the problems of SMEs & Startups via Accelerator, Mentorship & Incubation programs, creating market linkage opportunities, and assisting in access to finance. He envisions Bangladesh’s enterprises will take the next leap along with Private Sector and policy engagement. To make that happen, we must focus on a triple-bottom approach – Profit, People & Planet. Sustainable businesses will create a sustainable economy where everyone can thrive.

With good analytical knowledge, a strategic mindset, and innovative problem-solving skills, Omar has synthesized solutions for the development, government, and private sectors. He has worked on several projects requiring collaboration with institutional stakeholders, community-level organizations, and private organizations catering to many beneficiaries. His client portfolio ranges from development partners and ministries to corporates and start-ups. Some notable clients include Meta, Swisscontact Bangladesh, Embassy of Switzerland, IDB, ITFC, Chemonics, WorldFish, OXFAM, Trade Facilitation Office (TFO) Canada, ACDI/VOCA, USAID, Grameenphone, DFID, WB, IFC, GAIN, WFP (World Food Programme), BFP-B, MRA (Microcredit Regulatory Authority), Invest to Innovate (i2i), UKAid, BYLC, GEN, UNCDF, a2i, TruValu, VCPEAB, BD Venture, UNCDF, ICT Ministry, Ministry of Education, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ITC, Bangladesh Angel Network (BAN), Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), Founders Institute (FI), Banglalink Telecom, Babson College, BRAC Bank, Youth Opportunities, BYLC, RDRS, WAVE Foundation, and iDE Bangladesh.

Omar graduated from North South University School of Business and Economics, Bangladesh; he obtained a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with majors in Finance & Accounting and Marketing; currently, he is pursuing an MSc in Economics from the same university. He also has a Post Graduate Diploma in Islamic Finance Practices (PGDIFP) from EDUPRO UK and certificate training in Islamic Finance & Economics and Sukuk: Principles, Structures, and Documentations (AAOIFI Affiliated).

Shoumik Shahriar is a Senior Business Consultant and Project Manager at LightCastle Partners, with 6 years of experience in corporate finance, fundraising, and operations. Before his current role, he served as Assistant Vice President (Head of Finance and Chief of Staff to the CEO) at 10 Minute School, one of the leading edtech companies in Bangladesh. During his tenure as Head of Finance, the company successfully raised USD 8 million from prominent international and local venture capital firms.

His prior experience also includes serving as Assistant Vice President at bluKonsult GLOBAL, where he advised multiple early-stage businesses on fundraising. Beyond his corporate roles, Shoumik actively contributes to the broader startup ecosystem. He writes on finance and management at SS Notes and serves as a Venture Fellow at Venture Cooperative. Shoumik completed his Bachelor of Business Administration (majoring in Finance) from the University of Dhaka and is further advancing his expertise through certifications from ACCA and the Corporate Finance Institute (CFI).

Business consultant bringing 4 years of project management experience, having managed multidisciplinary projects across Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia and Uzbekistan, with a portfolio total of approx. $6 million. Currently working in projects on nutrition, WaSH and investment climate. Completed BBA from Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka.

Ameera Fairooz is a Senior Business Consultant at LightCastle Partners, specializing in startup ecosystem development, impact investing, and digital financial services. An International Business graduate from Dhaka University, she is passionate about leveraging market-driven solutions for sustainable growth.

Ameera has led research on Bangladesh’s startup investment landscape, serving as the lead author of the Startup Investments Report. She has also contributed to strategic insights on impact investing, financial, and gender inclusion through her work with global development partners such as the Gates Foundation, Swiss Embassy, and Dutch Embassy.

Shubham has 4 years of professional experience in monitoring and evaluation (M&E), project management, business intelligence, research, data analysis, program evaluation, donor reporting, and knowledge management. In his previous role, he gained experience designing and implementing M&E systems for multiple development projects targeting more than 20,000 beneficiaries. He is interested in qualitative and quantitative research, impact assessment, survey instrument design, data visualization, and data management.

Shubham completed BSS in Economics from the University of Dhaka. He is an International Exchange Alumnus who has been actively involved in youth development and community services over the last 12 years. He also served as a member of the United Nations Youth Advisory Panel in Bangladesh.

Pranto is a finance graduate from North South University, who enjoys working with numbers and data. He is keen to learn about global finance and the fundamentals of financial forecasting. In the future, he aspires to hone his skills in Data Science and use them to generate a positive impact on the sports industry of Bangladesh.

With over 3 years of experience in consultancy, social science research, and project management, Ainan Tajrian is a Senior Business Consultant at LightCastle Partners. Her work ethos is to design optimum plans by employing her technical knowledge, organizing instinct, and investigative enthusiasm. She is a seasoned consultant with extensive experience in developing strategic plans for projects, leading and contributing to projects with relevant insights and expertise, maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders, and coordinating project activities.

Ainan graduated from Bangladesh University of Professionals with BBA and MBA degrees, majoring in Finance & Banking. Her portfolio includes research and consultancy projects and reports on entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem, digital commerce and economy, platform economy, and access to finance, with experience in working with entities like UNDP, UNESCAP, Oxford Internet Institute, University of Edinburgh, WZB Berlin Social Science Center, ICT Division, a2i, SME Foundation, Joyeeta Foundation, e-Cab, etc.

Prior to her role at LightCastle, Ainan worked as a Business Consultant and SBU Coordinator at DataSense at iSocial. She has led the Fairwork Bangladesh Ratings 2023, with the University of Oxford, as a Research and Project Manager. Her portfolio also includes the development of the cross-border digital commerce policy draft which was commissioned by e-CAB, for the Ministry of Commerce. She also worked on the development of the Bangladesh Startup Ecosystem Assessment Report of UNESCAP and many other projects on the entrepreneurship ecosystem of Bangladesh and the digital economy, with different government and private entities. She is also a key member of the Bangladesh Chapter Secretariat of Catalyst 2030.

Nazmul Kabir Al-Mehmud is an experienced development professional with varied experience over the past 9 years in MoWCA, UNICEF, UNFPA, PSTC, Digicon, and East-West Industrial Park Ltd, he was a change agent to uplift the lifestyle and bring growth of underprivileged groups especially the youth through providing life skills and youth and adolescent empowerment programs. Mehmud is also the president of the United Nations Youth Advisory Panel (UNYAP) in Bangladesh. He is experienced in Project Management, Leadership, Inclusive Education, and Peer Education to enhance youth leaders’ capacity building. He holds a Masters in Population Sciences (MPS) from Dhaka University. Working under various international donor agencies has enabled him to amass vast experience in Youth development at home and abroad. He attended more than 10 National and International Events and represented Bangladesh in ECOSOC Conference in the USA, Indonesia, & HOPE XXL in the Netherlands as the youth leader.

Ridwanur Rahman is a seasoned business professional with over six years of experience in business strategy, performance management, and operational optimisation. He has worked with industry leaders such as Talabat UAE, Foodpanda Bangladesh, British American Tobacco, and Jamuna Bank Limited, where he has successfully driven growth and efficiency through strategic initiatives and process improvements. With a proven track record in commercial performance management, project execution, and enhancing operational processes, Ridwanur excels in managing large-scale projects, fostering high-performing teams, and implementing data-driven strategies that deliver measurable impact. His collaborative approach allows him to identify opportunities for improvement and craft tailored solutions that meet client needs. Ridwanur’s expertise spans business analysis, e-commerce, and leadership, all aimed at achieving sustainable business growth and operational excellence. He is currently pursuing an MBA at North South University, Dhaka, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology.

Ishrat Ashique, currently serving as the Senior Specialist, (Marketing and Partnerships) at LightCastle Partners, brings seasoned experience in the research and consulting industry. Prior to her current role, Ishrat worked as the Partnerships Associate at Inspira Advisory and Consulting Limited. In this capacity, she collaborated with global development partners, government directories, and INGOs to curate interactive campaign strategies, oversee campaign implementation, and devise digital transformation strategies aimed at creating awareness, capacity building and prompting corporate sustainability. 

Throughout her career, Ishrat has fostered significant partnerships with UN Agencies, INGOs, Think Tanks, and Business Associations, impacting over 20 thriving sectors of Bangladesh and the South Asia region. Her expertise in curating effective branding initiatives, accelerator programs, global grants, and joint events has strengthened industry ecosystems. Additionally, her experience with media production agencies and FMCG conglomerates has enabled her to develop impactful branding strategies and product development campaigns.

Ishrat holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and a minor in Development Studies, along with a Master’s degree in Data Science and Analytics from East West University.

Zaheen Araf Taseer is a Marketing Executive at LightCastle Partners, supporting the firm’s research, consulting, and initiatives through structured, insight‑driven communication. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Buckinghamshire New University and brings prior work experience across the garment and technology sectors. Having a strong interest in communication and product diversification, prompted him to explore a career in Marketing.

Rakin is a major in BSc Economics from North South University. The individual has worked for over a year in marketing and content strategy, where he understood the importance of a data-driven approach. Combined with the thought of inclusive growth, he has joined LightCastle Partners with a vision to implement data-driven inclusive systems that better the community and economy.

Jannat E Jahan is a Business Consultant at LightCastle Partners Ltd., with over four years of experience in managing research and consulting-based projects in private-sector engagement, trade facilitation, donor mapping, etc. She is passionate about driving innovative solutions to foster impactful partnerships between the development and private sectors, enhancing economic opportunities in Bangladesh. In her role at LightCastle, Jannat focuses on refining her research and analytical skills to design data-driven, impactful programs aligned with the company’s mission. Prior to joining LightCastle, Jannat worked as a Senior Associate in a reputed strategic research and consulting firm. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the Faculty of Business Studies, University of Dhaka.

Naziba Ali, a recent graduate from IBA, University of Dhaka, is an emerging professional with a passion for employing data-driven techniques to tackle challenges. Over the course of her academics, she has worked part-time in several industries, including stock brokerage, SaaS startups, digital publications, and youth development organizations. She has decided to venture into the consulting field and recognizes the importance of a strong apprenticeship in achieving her goals. As a result, she has joined LightCastle Partners due to its exceptional emphasis on fostering a culture of continuous learning and maintaining a positive workplace environment.

Parisa Omar is a Business Consultant at LightCastle Partners. She brings an interdisciplinary approach to the Ecosystems & Investments team with an academic background in development economics and law, and previous experiences rooted in social science research and ESG analysis. She is passionate about understanding and addressing the multifaceted challenges of our times – particularly in the field of corporate sustainability, green finance and impact investing with a focus on emerging economies. At LightCastle, Parisa aims to use her research and analytical skills to synthesise complex issues into strategic insights and data-driven solutions.

Parisa graduated from King’s College London with a BA in International Development, followed by an MA in Law from the University of Law, London Bloomsbury.

Tajrian Hoque Nitul is a program and learning professional with expertise in early-stage entrepreneurship incubation, corporate training, and education technology. At LightCastle Partners, she joins as a Business Consultant in the Growth & Innovation team to deepen her work in the knowledge sector and ecosystem building. In this role, she aims to leverage data-driven insights and innovative solutions to strengthen Bangladesh’s entrepreneurial landscape creating stronger linkages between entrepreneurs, private sector actors, and policymakers. She believes that by combining evidence-based research with inclusive incubation and founder-focused mentorship, Bangladesh’s enterprises can unlock sustainable growth and drive large-scale impact.

Prior to joining LightCastle, Tajrian was a Senior Associate at YY Ventures, where she managed the Orange Corners Bangladesh Incubation Programme, funded by the Government of the Netherlands helping more than 70 early-stage enterprises refine their business models, access mentorship, and secure growth opportunities. She also brings corporate experience from Nestlé Bangladesh PLC, where she supported Learning, Development & Employee Engagement initiatives, executing cohort-based trainings and contextualizing global learning modules for local relevance. Earlier in her career, Tajrian contributed to Bangladesh’s largest EdTech platform, 10 Minute School, as an Academic Instructor and Project Executive. There, she created over 100 educational videos and designed learning content for K-12, enabling millions of learners nationwide to access affordable and high-quality education. This early experience strengthened her belief in education as a powerful tool for social change.

Tajrian graduated from the Institute of Business Administration, Jahangirnagar University, with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, majoring in Marketing and minoring in Human Resource Management. She is currently pursuing an MBA at BRAC Business School with a concentration in Business Analytics and Finance. Tajrian combines analytical rigor with a people-first approach. Her professional interests span incubation program design, stakeholder engagement, market systems development, and youth empowerment. Tajrian is deeply motivated by the vision of building an ecosystem where entrepreneurs can access finance, mentorship, and markets to create scalable impact and where innovation serves as a bridge between inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Sadia is a Business Consultant at LightCastle Partners, working in the Development & Management Consulting wing. She aims to influence public perception and advocate for societal change through policy advocacy.

Previously serving as a Research Officer at DataSense, iSocial, Sadia made significant contributions to various development projects by employing a data-driven approach.

As a recent graduate from East West University with a Bachelor of Social Science in Economics, Sadia’s academic background complements her practical experience. Driven by her fervent dedication, Sadia aspires to advance her career in the consulting field, focusing on implementing data-driven strategies for an inclusive economy that fosters sustainable growth.

Ismat is a Business Consultant at LightCastle Partners, working in the intersection of Business Development and Ecosystem & Entrepreneurship functions. Her professional goal is to enhance her research and consultancy skills, provide innovative business solutions, and contribute to economic development through data-driven approaches. She is a business graduate with a major in Accounting and a minor in Finance from the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP).

Areeba Rahman is a Business Analyst at LightCastle Partners, working in the Business Development team. She recently graduated from The University of Manchester with an LLB (Hons) Bachelor of Laws degree. During her time at university, Areeba worked for a UK-based charity organisation and was actively involved in various societies, volunteer work and events. She also worked as a Strategy Consultant for a university-based consultancy for non-profits, which sparked her interest in the consultancy field.

Israk Faruquee is a Business Analyst at LightCastle Partners, working in the Ecosystems & Investments team. A recent graduate in Finance from the University of Dhaka, Israk has gained multifaceted experience during his undergraduate years through his involvement in diverse industries, including volunteering in non-profits and part-time roles in EdTech, FinTech, media tech, software, and training and consultation startups.These experiences have shaped his analytical mindset and interest in data-driven decision-making. With a passion for the startup and entrepreneurship ecosystem, Israk is excited to align his skills and interests with LightCastle’s focus on leveraging data for impactful initiatives. He looks forward to further developing his expertise while contributing to projects that create sustainable value.

Naima Nowshin Nabani holds an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering and an MBA from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka, with a focus on finance. Her diverse background has sparked an interest in business analytics, empowering her to provide data-driven, practical solutions to a variety of challenges.

Naima began her career at Dienco Ltd., where she managed procurement for major infrastructure projects, including the SASEC WP 04 funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the CBRNIP funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the RCC flyover project by Rajshahi City Corporation, and maintenance projects under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). Her role involved collaborating with project managers and head office teams to ensure timely delivery of materials and equipment, along with preparing monthly consumption reports.

Her academic achievements include presenting a paper on transportation engineering at ICACE-2020, which was published in the conference proceedings. Known for her enthusiasm and curiosity, Naima enjoys applying research and analysis to support strategic and thoughtful actions.
Naima is passionate about exploring innovative solutions and contributing to impactful projects driven by data and research, with the utmost integrity, embodying the ethos of LightCastle Partners.

Tasnia Isbat is a Business Analyst in the Ecosystem & Investments team at LightCastle Partners. She is passionate about developing data-driven and sustainable approaches to create meaningful impact in society. Before joining LightCastle, Tasnia completed the Young Researchers’ Fellowship Program from the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), where she gained hands-on experience in mixed-method research. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from BRAC University.

Faiza Tahiya is an MSc graduate in Business Analytics from the University of Birmingham.
She completed her undergraduate degree from Brac University with a double major in
Finance and Human Resource Management. She is a Business Analyst at LightCastle Partners.

Faiza has professional experience in both the UK and Bangladeshi academic sectors. She
has served as an Adjunct Faculty member at BRAC Business School and worked as a
Research Associate at the University of Birmingham and Higher Education Futures Institute
(HEFi). She possesses strong analytical and research skills, with hands-on experience in
data visualization tools, project management, and developing data-driven insights to
support business initiatives.

Rishta Ashrafee is a Business Analyst who supports business development, research, market analysis, and strategy implementation across public and private-sector engagements. Her prior experience includes working with development-focused projects in large, client-facing organizations, such as BRAC, contributing to youth, skills and employment, SMEs, gender inclusion, and climate and green initiatives. With a foundation in strategic communication and a growing focus on data and analytics, she strives to strengthen market understanding and drive structured, evidence-based decisions for ecosystem and investment initiatives at LightCastle.

Nuzhat Naoshin is a graduate and highly motivated toward HR management and its functions. She completed her Bachelor of Business Administration from Brac University by pursuing a double major in Human Resources Management and Finance.

By merging her knowledge and skills, she wants to build her career in HR to carry out various responsibilities in different functional areas such as recruitment and selection, policy implementation, etc.

Shimanto Rozario is a UI/UX designer with nearly three years of hands-on experience in the dynamic realm of design and creativity. He holds a degree from Shanto Mariam University of Creative Technology, specializing in Graphic Design and Multimedia. His journey in this field has equipped him with a profound understanding of user-centered design principles and a keen eye for aesthetic appeal.

A data-driven Graphics Designer, designing creative social media contents, marketing and print materials, web contents & data visualization based on strategic insights since 2020. A Finance graduate from National University (NU) playing with colors, shapes and texts out of passion & bringing out the best.

I am Riyadh Morshed, currently working as a Assistant Manager – Accounts & Finance at LightCastle Partners. I am a graduate from BRAC University with major Finance and Accounting. I have completed my Articlechip from ACNABIN Chartered Accountants and I have completed my certificate level courses from Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh. During my Articleship period I was involved with various internal and external audit and consultancy work. My previous work experience in the field of Account and Finance with Expo group and Huawei technologies. My goal is to be a seasoned professional in the field of Finance and Accounts and become a proud member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh.

Lotifa Chowdhury is the Data & Quality Assurance Manager at LightCastle Partners, with over seven years of extensive experience in data collection and management. She specializes in the entire data lifecycle—from field collection to advanced cleaning, validation, and analysis—ensuring precise and actionable insights for clients.

She has worked with a wide range of national and international organizations, including Helvetas Bangladesh, ILO, DFAT, Australian High Commission, UNCDF, World Vision, SNV, EKN, Swisscontact, Larive International, WFP, BRAC, CARE Bangladesh, IDE (CSISA-MEA), 1001Fontaines, MJF, World Bank, Water Aid among others.

Lotifa’s career background includes working with leading research organizations, data collection firms, BPO centers, and call centers, where she developed strong expertise in operational management and quality assurance. In her current role, she plays a key part in preparing project budgets, designing fieldwork plans, overseeing field operations, and rigorously monitoring data quality throughout project implementation.

Her blend of strategic planning, hands-on field management, and quality assurance expertise enables her to manage projects efficiently while upholding the highest research standards.

Lotifa holds a postgraduate degree in Political Science from the National University.

A graduate from American International University – Bangladesh (AIUB) with a degree in Software Engineering. Jakia is a highly experienced Software Quality Assurance Engineer, with an excellent understanding of QA methodology, software development life cycle (SDLC), software testing lifecycle (STLC) and bug lifecycle. She is an expert in picking our bugs and glitches during web and mobile app testing and has in-depth knowledge in writing test plans, based on the requirements and functionalities of the system. Her familiarity with automation tools like Selenium and API testing tools make her a key asset of the team.

A creative and expert lead Android Developer, with over 5 years of experience architecting and building cutting-edge Android apps for mobile devices for the social media, survey and ride-sharing platforms. He has an in-depth understanding of android applications and is currently working on projects in relation to agro-analytics, data analytics and management consulting. He previously worked at Nanosoft, Golden Reign Ltd and Doodle Inc. after completing his graduation in Accounting from National University.

Safin Sadique recently graduated from Bangladesh University of Professionals with a major in Finance and a minor in Economics. Driven by a passion for data-driven decision-making, he has explored and applied various analytical tools across multiple domains. He is currently working as a Business Analyst in the Development and Management Consulting team, where he leverages his experience to deliver meaningful and actionable insights for projects.

Zuhayr Rahman Chowdhury is a Business Analyst at LightCastle Partners, working in the Ecosystems & Investments team. As a recent graduate from City University of Hong Kong with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, he has built a strong foundation in critical thinking, problem-solving and analysis, aligning well with his passion for data-driven decision-making and digital transformation.

During his university co-op programme, he gained valuable project management experience and honed his skills in translating business requirements into technical solutions. In addition, his time at a tech startup provided him with a dynamic environment to apply his knowledge and enhance his collaboration skills. Zuhayr aims to leverage his research and analytical abilities to transform complex challenges into actionable insights and data-driven solutions. Eager to contribute to meaningful projects, he looks forward to driving innovation.

Tasfia is a recent finance graduate from the University of Dhaka with a keen interest in entrepreneurship, data analytics, and investment ecosystems. She has showcased her analytical and storytelling skills through achievements in national and global competitions, from Spelling Bee Season 2 in her school years to prominent business case competitions during university, alongside hands-on project experience.

Before joining LightCastle Partners, she participated in Grameenphone’s 6 month long flagship mentorship program, Platform SHE 5.0, gaining insights into corporate strategy and client management. She has also organized national-scale events, including the Dhaka Literary Festival 2017, which honed her leadership and coordination skills.

At LightCastle Partners, Tasfia contributes to the Ecosystem & Investments team as a Trainee Consultant at LightCastle, supporting research, venture advisory, and ecosystem development projects. Outside work, she’s an avid cosplay enthusiast and a passionate reader of Bangla literature, drawing inspiration from stories that celebrate creativity, emotion and culture—qualities she brings into both her personal and professional pursuits

Akeef Khan is a Junior Associate in the Marketing team at LightCastle Partners, where he applies his academic knowledge to address real-world marketing challenges and contribute to the firm’s growth and outreach strategies. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing at the Bangladesh University of Professionals. His previous role as a content writer for a digital sports portal facilitated a smooth transition to his current position, where he leverages his experience to enhance branding and promotional efforts.

Samad Miraly is an investor. He comes from an industrialist family with experience in frontier markets. Samad is currently an Executive Director at Olympic Industries Limited, a publicly listed FMCG manufacturing company and the largest biscuit manufacturer in Bangladesh.

Additionally he is also a partner in IDLC VC Fund 1 which is managed by the venture capital wing of IDLC Finance – leading NBFI in Bangladesh. He also serves on various other boards and organizations.

Samad’s particular interest in investing in innovation led to his work in Bangladesh’s tech startup industry. He co-Founded Startup Dhaka, which designed and operated the first-in-class GP Accelerator in partnership with Grameenphone (a Telenor company) – a project which he spearheaded.

Anita Ghazi is the founder and partner of The Legal Circle, a renowned firm of barristers, advocates and legal consultants specializing in representing clients in Bangladesh on both domestic and international legal matters. Anita qualified as an Advocate in Bangladesh in 2004, as Advocate of the High Court Division of Bangladesh Supreme Court in 2006 and as Advocate of the apex Court, the Appellate Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court in 2018. Moreover, she is a proud alumna of Common Purpose, a not-for-profit organization, that develops leaders through leadership programmes, enabling them to cross boundaries and solve complex problems both in organizations and in cities.

Anita has been working with startups for almost a decade, having been listed amongst the “Inspiring individuals to follow in 2015 in Bangladesh” in Dhaka Tribune, Future Startup’s “15 Under 35 For 2015: Entrepreneurs, Trailblazers, Mold-Breakers Of Bangladesh” and has been featured in the book “From Stones to Castles : In conversation with 16 inspiring personalities of Bangladesh” and “Aine Tarunno”. She is a Asia 21 Young Leader for the Class of 2016 and one of the initial signatories to the Belt & Road Legal Service International Cooperation Platform.

Anita is an Independent Director of LightCastle Partners, Chittagong Stock Exchange, previously having served as Independent Director of Golden Harvest Agro Industries Limited, and is a Member of the National Advisory Board for Impact Investment in Bangladesh.

Bijon is the co-founder and CEO of LightCastle Partners, an organization that focuses on creating data-driven opportunities for growth and impact for development partners, corporates, SMEs and Startups.

Over the last seven years, Bijon has led the company in engagements across 150+ businesses/development partners, 1,500+ SMEs/Startups and 50+ accelerator programs in multiple industries including Technology, Agriculture, Health, Energy and Manufacturing.

Recently, LightCastle has also partnered to launch a Smart Capital Investment Program which facilitates growth capital for SMEs/Startups. Additionally, LightCastle is also a local partner to Biniyog Briddhi – a first of its kind catalytic funding/impact investments program jointly run by Roots of Impact and Swiss Development Corporation. Recently, LightCastle has also been appointed as a deal-sourcing and due-diligence partner for multiple public and private investors.

Previously Bijon has worked with Citibank, N.A. and Citi Foundation and oversaw the execution of Bangladesh’s first Interest Rate Swap, Equity Convertible Bonds, Largest IPO, Microfinance Securitization and Block Equity Trades. Due to outstanding performance, Bijon had received the CEO Excellence Awards for two years in a row in the organization.

In 2015 Bijon was nominated as 15 under 35 in Bangladesh by Future Startup (leading Startup media in Bangladesh) and Top 7 Rising Young CEOs by Startup Dhaka. Bijon is an active ecosystem builder and has attended 100+ entrepreneurship development events as judge/panelist/resource-person including Startup Weekend, Startup Cup, Entrepreneurship World Cup (GEN), Global Startup Weekend, Facebook Circle, She Loves Tech, Founders Institute and Innovation Extreme.

Bijon has Bachelors and Masters in Business Administration from the Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka.

Zahed is an entrepreneur and consultant with over 16 years of experience working with development agencies, private enterprises, startups/social enterprises and government entities. He is the Managing Director at LightCastle Partners, a consulting firm dedicated to fostering inclusive economic growth in Bangladesh and beyond through a systemic and data-driven approach. Zahedul holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) at the University of Dhaka.

Zahedul has extensive experience in private sector development, research, program management, landscaping assessment, impact assessment, financial modeling, market entry studies, and consulting for the non-profit, private, and development sectors across more than 15 sectors (agriculture, RMG & Textiles, WASH, digital businesses) and cross-cutting themes including financial inclusion and sustainable & circular finance. He has successfully led over 150 projects for top-tier clients such as The Gates Foundation, WFP, IFC, H&M Foundation, The World Bank, UN Agencies, EKN, BRAC, SNV, Ashoka, A2i, ILO, USDA, World Fish, HSBC, CDC, ADB, ACDI-VOCA, and WaterAid.

Zahed is passionate about research, analysis, geopolitics, macroeconomics, policy analysis, and enterprise development. He mentors young founders and derives joy in guiding them to the next level. He regularly writes on his blog and national dailies on pertinent issues. He is an alum of the International Visitors’ Leadership Program (IVLP) and a social entrepreneurship fellow at the State University of New York (SUNY). Additionally, he is an Acumen fellow.

As an entrepreneur, Ivdad loves to dream big, work more, and talk less. And he believes that his ambition will drive his ability.

Ivdad’s passion for a data-driven economy led him to establish LightCastle Partners as a premier consulting firm in Bangladesh. Working at the intersection of data, development, technology and finance over the past six years, he has helped chart 200+ impact stories by enabling 400+ organizations – spanning private, public and development – become comfortable with data-driven decision making.

He has collaborated with some of the leading corporations, foundations and nonprofits including Boston Consulting Group, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank Group, ACDI VOCA & UN Capital Development Fund. Primarily his work focuses on management consulting, impact investing, and ICT for development.

Ivdad has an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, U.S.A. and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) at the University of Dhaka. While doing his MBA, he spent his summer working between Microsoft and Venture Hive developing strategy and execution plan for the first ever Microsoft Innovation Center in Miami, Florida. He has also consulted for Awethu – one of the largest social entrepreneurship incubators in South Africa – building bridges between social entrepreneurs and science institutes for commercial application of modern scientific products in the context of African economy.

A collaborator at heart, Ivdad is a big believer in the notion that collaboration and competition. He feels most comfortable playing the role of another cog in the wheel. He enjoys business development, communication design and product management. Winning small, aiming tall and constantly having a ball is his mantra in life. One can’t keep him away from reading and traveling in his leisure time.

Md. Mahedi Masud is a highly qualified Chartered Accountant, holding over 5+ years of working in the field of Accounting & Finance, representing firms such as Rahman Rahman Huq (KPMG in Bangladesh). Prior to that, he did his graduation from University of Chittagong. He is highly skilled with numbers, and a master when it comes to accounting and finance. He believes in having a works hands-on with clients providing monthly management accounts, performance reporting, bookkeeping advice, and support. Mahedi always strives to deliver excellent service and is well-equipped with practical financial information. He is also an independent director at LightCastle Partners.

Saif is a Co-founder of LightCastle Partners and currently a Professor & Program Coordinator at George Brown College, Canada. He also founded and now leads as the President & CEO of JIT Consulting in Ontario, Canada. He is a certified Project Manager (PMP) and Business Analyst (CBAP and PBA) with over 13 years of experience in Management Consulting, Information Technology, and Investment Banking domains. He is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt practitioner (ASQ, USA).

Beginning his career in Investment Banking back in 2009 and over the past 13 years, Saif has managed and executed 100+ projects including project planning, financial analysis & budgeting, resource management, work delegation, monitoring and controlling, and reporting. Assessed client’s business for enabling change and creating business value by eliciting and structuring requirements, analyzing current state, devising change strategies, and recommending effective and sustainable solutions. Prepared dynamic financial models and prepared advanced company valuation and financial projection documents for assisting clients make investment decisions.

Affan is a serial entrepreneur with 14+ years of entrepreneurial experience, which includes working with 10+ industry leaders and Fortune 500 companies across Bangladesh, Singapore, Canada, the UK, and the USA.

He is the Co-founder & CEO of Notionhive, a digitally-led, full-service creative agency with offices in Bangladesh and North America. He is also an Independent Business Advisor and Startup Mentor at Invest Ottawa, a leading economic development agency for fostering the advancement of the region’s globally competitive knowledge-based institutions and industries.

Monir is a career banker specializing in Corporate and Institutional Banking. With nearly 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, including 18 years in senior leadership roles at HSBC, Monir managed client across different industries. He helped customers to grow managing the risk/regulatory landscapes and market shifts to unlock sustainable business growth.

Monir’s expertise is rooted in building robust, win-win bank-customer relationships and translating market complexities into actionable strategies. As the Head of Financial Institutions Group, he was responsible for managing the FIG business while rigorously monitoring and maintaining the risk profile. In his previous role in corporate relationships he successfully managed sizable portfolios across large corporate sectors, including apparel, commodity, and diversified industries, consistently achieving revenue growth. He has deep understanding in credit, risk management.

Monir focuses on thought leadership and holistic client engagement. He excels at coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives. He managed governance projects, helped C-suite executives build robust frameworks and deploy impactful risk management and business facilitation plans realigning business and risk forums. Monir is also a certified leadership coach from iPEC Coaching, USA bringing a commitment to mentorship and team development to every advisory engagement. Monir is passionate about one one coaching, mentoring and career advisory.

He has Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka. He attended various trainings/worships covering Sales, Relationship Management, Risk Management, Leaderships in home and aboard.