Big Ideas for Small Business
This December, the ANDE South Asia Convening is set to make waves with its challenging theme, “Big Ideas for Small Business.” Building on the momentum from ANDE’s Global Annual Conference 2024, this convening brings together visionary leaders, thinkers, and practitioners.
Co-hosted with NAB Bangladesh and partnered with BetterStories Limited, SAFAL Partners, PTH Venture Studio, nVentures, World University Service of Canada (WUSC – EUMC), and ICIMOD, ANDE’s three-day gathering will explore pivotal themes shaping the region’s entrepreneurial landscape.
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Agenda
Registrations are tailored to your interests, so be sure to review the agenda and details below and sign up for your preferred sessions.
December 3
Regional Ecosystem Building for SGBs I
Uncover how strategic regional cooperation, infrastructure development, and digital innovation can catalyze economic growth, broaden market reach, and alleviate poverty across South Asia.
- Climate-Resilient Businesses: The Power of Incubation in Mountainous Regions – 11:00 am – 12:15 pm IST
Speakers: Anu Joshi Shrestha, ICIMOD Nepal; Padmakshi Rana, Impact Hub Nepal; Erad Kawsar, Build Bangladesh; Adnan Faisal, Founder & CEO, ScaleX; Gerrit Jan van ‘t Veen, World StartUp - The Venture Studio Debate: Is South Asia Ready? – 3:00 – 4:00 pm IST
Speakers: Chalinda Abeykoon, nVentures; Gigi Mathews, Enviu; Omar Abedin, PTH Venture Studio; Minhaz Anwar, BetterStories - Future-Proofing SMEs: The Power of Digital Infrastructure – 6:00 – 7:15 pm IST
Speakers: Santona Malakar, SAFAL Partners; Abhishek Modi, Sattva; Radip Tandukar, GeoKrishi; Gihan Mendis, EngenuityAi
December 4
Regional Ecosystem Building for SGBs II
Engage in a detailed exploration of a novel financial metric, understanding its definition, strategic applications, and strengths and weaknesses through regional comparisons.
- Growing Women-Led Ventures: From Micro to Mighty – 3:00 – 4:15 pm IST
Speakers: Minhaz Anwar, BetterStories, Bangladesh; Anagha Kamath, Mann Deshi Foundation, India; Tariqul Islam, Max Foundation, Bangladesh; Dilip Bhandari, Heifer International - Population-Weighted Asset Under Management – 6:00 – 7:15 pm IST
Speakers: Farhad Reza, NAB Bangladesh; Nick Goryl, PlentyOne Global, Tasfia Tasneem Ahmed, Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management (BIGM); Olav Muurlink, CQUniversity Australia; Rahul Mathew, World Vision Bangladesh
December 5
Impact InvesTREND Day
Dive into discussions on how impact investing is advancing sustainable development in Bangladesh. Expect sessions covering regulatory landscapes, investment transparency, and practical tools for maximizing impact.
- Impact Investment Instruments: Way Forward and Demonstrated Examples – 11:30 am – 1:00 pm BST / 11:00 am – 12:30 pm IST
Speakers: Bijon Islam, Light Castle Partners; Mubariz Siddiqui, Carbon Law; Simmi Sareen, Unitus Capital; Corinne Henchoz Pignani, Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh; Chandula Abeywickrema, NAB Sri Lanka; Ashutosh Tiwari, Safal Partners - Impact Transparency and Scale-Up: Reinforcing Impact Audits, Measurements, Management, and Reporting – 3:30 – 5:00 pm BST / 3:00 – 4:30 pm IST
Speakers: Erad Kawsar, Build Bangladesh; Tomoya Shiraishi, Phronesis Partners; Ahmed Mottaki, Mianz International Group; Şevki Mert BARIŞ, Turkish Coordination and Cooperation Agency (TIKA) - Regulatory Frameworks: Supporting Investors, Investees, Intermediaries, and Untapped Markets – 6:00 – 7:30 pm BST / 5:30 – 7:00 pm IST
Speakers: Anita Ghazi Rahman, The Legal Circle; Kenny Lee, MyImpact; Mubariz Siddiqui, Carbon Law; Amrut Joshi, Gamechanger Law - Closed-Door Roundtable: Summary and Way Forward – 7:30 – 8:15 pm BST / 7:00 – 7:45 pm IST
