Afshin Moayed: Why Bangladesh is the best kept secret in venture | Episode 52

About This Episode

In this episode of Nothing Ventured, host Ari Shah interviews Afshin Mo'ayed, a partner at Razor Capital, a venture capital firm specialising in early-stage investments in emerging markets, particularly Bangladesh and Southeast Asia. Afshin shares insights on the immense opportunities presented by large populations, emphasising why Bangladesh is often overlooked despite its potential. He discusses the pressing issue of climate refugees, projecting that by mid-century, there will be 40 million in Bangladesh alone, and highlights the dynamic shift of 15 million people annually joining the middle class in the region.

The conversation delves into strategies for transforming a growing aspirational population from being climate victims and contributors to becoming active participants in the economy. Afshin challenges common perceptions about low-cost wins in emerging economies and suggests that innovative models, like 15-minute grocery delivery, can thrive in these markets. He also stresses the importance of recognising one's mistakes in entrepreneurship, arguing that there is no financial advantage in always being right. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of venture capital in emerging markets and the unique opportunities they present.

Timestamps:

[00:00:42] Climate refugees in Bangladesh.

[00:04:09] Investing in emerging markets.

[00:08:01] Bangladesh's unique growth potential.

[00:12:10] Bangladesh's investment landscape challenges.

[00:17:31] Indian VCs and Bangladesh opportunities.

[00:20:49] Cultural dynamics in emerging markets.

[00:25:04] Climate adaptation in Bangladesh.

[00:30:05] Barriers to climate-friendly solutions.

[00:32:08] Younger population's consumption awareness.

[00:36:00] Value perception in emerging markets.

[00:39:18] Sand battery technology in Vietnam.

[00:43:28] Grocery delivery business models.

[00:48:34] Grocery shopping in DACA traffic.

[00:52:40] Personal shopper experience online.

[00:56:01] Embracing mistakes as strengths.

[00:58:46] Connecting on LinkedIn.

Find Afshin Moayed online at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afshinmoayedsanandajirafii/
Twitter: https://x.com/AfshinMoayed
Razor Capital: https://www.razorcap.co/

This episode is sponsored by EmergeOne, fractional CFOs for venture backed tech startups from Seed to Series B.
Get in touch at https://emergeone.co.uk/contact-us/ or join the CFO team at https://emergeone.co.uk/join-the-cfo-team/

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