Truvalu
Bangladesh
About Truvalu Bangladesh
The Bangladesh team has a strong combination of consulting and investment management. The team of 7 staff runs many donor funded entrepreneurship programs (Covid w/c relief with banks, B-skillful II) both in-country as well a remotely serving other countries and also provides backoffice services such as investment analysis for others, such as crowdfunding platform PlusPlus.
Through a co-entrepreneurship approach, Truvalu develops pre-growth SMEs to business maturity for economic returns and social impact. Truvalu Bangladesh has provided hands-on mentoring and advisory support to hundreds of SMEs under several blended finance programs and has made private equity investments in 17 SMEs in Bangladesh. Truvalu has so far supported these MSMEs with incubation programs, investment readiness support, business development support, impact management training and financial management coaching.
Just as the other teams, this team also manages an existing portfolio for Truvalu with Classical Handmade Products as the most successful one and they are building a new pipeline. The team in Bangladesh is very experienced in business analysis and financial modelling.
Their advisory services focus on areas as financial management, business planning, operational efficiency, corporate governance, marketing and sales, technological advancement and impact management. Other than these, Truvalu expands the company’s business operations by introducing their products and services to local and international networks of clients, business partners (distributors, retail companies), and export partners.
Truvalu is very committed to creating opportunities for gender lens investing in Bangladesh. In 2023 we organized an informative seminar on “Opportunities and Prospects for Gender Lens Investing in Bangladesh” in collaboration with Biniyog Briddhi and with support from the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh. Follow-up activities will take place later this year.
Until now Truvalu has been co-enterprising with:
CHP
Classical Handmade Products (CHP) is a handicraft business producing value added goods made from indigenous raw components and leftover fabric. The product portfolio consists of floor covering (rugs), storage (baskets), tableware (mats) and others. The finished products are exported to more than 30 countries. Read the CHP story.
NF Coir
Natural Fibers Coir Limited is one of the country’s leading coconut coir processing businesses ith over 10 years of operational history. The company is producing coconut’s fiber-based felt matresses & cushions for the local market and coconut coir pith blocks which are exported and used for gardening purposes. Read more about this company TruStory.
B-Skillful
Under the B-SkillFUL Program Phase II, Truvalu is extending business development services (access to finance and access to market) to several MSMEs across Dhaka, Savar, Gazipur, Bogura, and Rangpur.
A program, supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh and implemented by Swisscontact Bangladesh.
Truvalu worked with 56 marginalised MSMEs all across Bangladesh. Read more.
Covid recovery program
A program, supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh and implemented by Truvalu Bangladesh (in close cooperation with OneToWatch).
Truvalu worked with 33 pandemic affected MSMEs across Bangladesh. Truvalu connects the MSMEs that require financing with partner financial institutions for interest subsidized financing. Read more.
B-Briddhi
B-Briddhi is a multi-year public-private development partnership (PPDP) between the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, Roots of Impact, LightCastle Partners and other stakeholders, including investors, private sector organizations, incubators, and support organizations for impact enterprises. Truvalu provided impact management and investment readiness services to the impact enterprises involved. Read more.
Business Finance for the Poor in Bangladesh
Truvalu Bangladesh (then Agribusiness Booster (AbB) Bangladesh) was supported by DFID’s Business Finance for the Poor – Challenge Fund, aimed to increase financial inclusion of local Micro and Small Enterprises by catalyzing and fostering innovations in lending products and delivery channels, and stimulating effective BDS. See more here.
"As agriculture is the largest employment sector in Bangladesh, providing employment to 40.15% of the working population, this industry has the most impact on the macroeconomic objectives. Yet, many SMEs do not have the required capital to remain competitive in the market. In such an environment, Truvalu has created the opportunity to improve the economic condition of many agricultural entrepreneurs. “Sharawwat Islam, managing director Truvalu Bangladesh
Our team
Sharawwat is the Managing Director of Truvalu.enterprises Limited. With more than 15 years of experience in the financial sector of Bangladesh, Sharawwat joined Truvalu in 2018 from her passion to work with impact investments. Before joining Truvalu, she worked in various reputed investment banks and commercial banks in Bangladesh. Sharawwat is a CFA Charterholder and has an MBA and a BBA from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka.
Md. Golam Shaon is a Senior Business Acceleration Expert at Truvalu and leads the Bangladesh investment team. He is responsible for deal origination, due diligence, investment analysis of prospective SMEs, and investment execution as well as for providing co-entrepreneurship and business development support to entrepreneurs. Before joining Truvalu, he worked for a leading Bangladeshi investment bank and a private equity firm. To date, Shaon has been involved in the financial modeling of more than 20+ companies and has provided business and development advice to many more. Shaon holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Department of Finance, University of Dhaka. Currently, he is pursuing the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program and has passed the second part of the three-level exam.
Hossain supports Truvalu’s core team in deal sourcing, due diligence, investment analysis and portfolio management. In addition he also takes part in BDS delivery of prospective SMEs. Before joining Truvalu, he worked as an assistant manager for one of the renowned asset management companies in Bangladesh and managed investments in 3 different sectors. Hossain completed his Bachelor of Business Administration from the Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka. He majored in Finance and cleared the level 2 exam of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program.
Emran is a highly motivated accounting professional with more than 7 years of experience. He is handling the financial, and administrative jobs of Truvalu Bangladesh. Before joining Truvalu, he worked for one of the Big Four accounting firms. He also worked for a leading audit and accountancy firm where he served more than 22 clients. His area of expertise includes financial accounting and reporting, management accounting, auditing, internal control and compliance, taxation, and corporate laws & practices. He has completed the Chartered Accountancy Course (CA CC) from Hussain Farhad & Co., Chartered Accountants under the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB). He has also passed six subjects out of seven at CA Certificate Level and appeared CA Professional Level exam from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB).
As an accounting professional with more than 9 years of experience, Anwar has been handling the overall financial, administrative, and HR affairs of Truvalu Bangladesh as well as assisting Truvalu’s global office in financial administration and reporting. Before joining Truvalu, he worked for a leading apparel manufacturing company and an IT company in senior managerial positions. He also worked for a leading audit and accountancy firm in Bangladesh where he served more than 30 clients. His area of expertise includes financial accounting and reporting, management accounting, auditing, internal control and compliance, taxation, and corporate laws and practices. He has completed Chartered Accountancy Course (CA CC) from Hussain Farhad & Co., Chartered Accountants under the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB). He has also passed CA Certificate Level and partially passed CA Professional Level from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB).
Anuj is a key team member of Truvalu Bangladesh. He is responsible for tracking project progress and results- how the projects are advancing to the set objectives and goals. He also contributes to project data management, capturing learning and imparting insights for better management decisions. For over the last 6 years, he has been leading the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning section of different Development organizations. Anuj completed his Masters in Social science from the University of Rajshahi. He majored in Social Work with an excellent academic background and his practical working knowledge, he is a prospective MEAL professional in the development sector.
Nuzhat Tabassum Turee is an enthusiastic communication professional currently working with Truvalu Bangladesh as a Communications Officer. Alongside her bachelor’s degree, she earned a master’s in Communication and Journalism from the University of Chittagong, where she further refined her skills and passion for utilizing communication to effect change.
In her role at Truvalu, Nuzhat plays a vital role in crafting narratives and disseminating information in alignment with its strategic objectives. Prior to this position, she contributed her expertise as a Programme Associate at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), where she gained insights into policy advocacy and development initiatives. Her previous roles as a leadership facilitator and communication intern at the Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center underscore her dedication to nurturing the leadership skills of young individuals.
Throughout her career, Nuzhat has actively engaged in community development initiatives, leveraging her expertise to address challenges faced by underprivileged communities. Notably, she co-founded a digital production agency, showcasing her innovative approach to advocacy through compelling documentaries and creative content focused on development challenges. Nuzhat looks forward to continuing her career in the development sector, where she can make a significant impact and amplify the voices of those in need, as she remains committed to social change.
Prosonno works as Monitoring and Evaluation Officer in Truvalu Bangladesh. He contributes to track the performances and assess the outcomes of Truvalu’s different projects. He is an experienced M&E professional and has worked in different national and international organizations monitoring and evaluating different development projects. He has obtained his master’s degree in social science from the University of Rajshahi. With his knowledge, skill and practical experience, he is a promising professional in the development sector.
Office location
Truvalu Bangladesh is located at House 16 (1st Floor), Road 30, Gulshan 1, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
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