Accelerating Asia has chosen eight startups for its twelfth cohort, and four of them are Bangladeshi, which shows that Bangladesh’s startup scene is getting stronger and drawing real investor interest. The accelerator reviewed over seven hundred applications and accepted just one percent, so joining the cohort is a clear vote of confidence for the companies that made the cut. The newly selected Bangladeshi firms are Chamak, biniyog.io, InsureCow Ltd., and Wellspring Global, and they cover trade finance, SME lending, livestock insurance and healthier consumer goods. This mix points to practical work that can help businesses, farmers and everyday shoppers. Accelerating Asia said the cohort brings its portfolio to one hundred startups with a combined valuation above one point one billion dollars, and the group has seen portfolio companies raise follow-on funding worth more than one hundred fifty two million dollars. The new batch also showed steady revenues for early stage firms, with an average monthly revenue reported that is higher than typical for similar programs. The fund’s team said they looked for founders who use technology to solve real problems, not for flashy labels, and that approach helped the judges pick companies that can grow over time. Three startups in the cohort have at least one female founder, and the accelerator noted that nearly half of its portfolio companies include women on their founding teams, a sign the program keeps pushing for gender balance. Local entrepreneurs and industry watchers said the fresh selections matter because they can open doors to regional markets, mentorship networks and investors who want proven teams. For the selected firms, joining the accelerator means capital, mentorship and connections that can speed up product tests and early sales. The program also plans to run a short, focused period of mentoring and business building so companies can reach measurable milestones before seeking the next round of capital. Experts say this model helps startups build real traction and lowers the risk for later investors. For Bangladesh’s broader ecosystem, repeated presence in regional cohorts can help create alumni networks, training opportunities and success stories that attract more founders to build locally. The four companies chosen show how varied local ideas have become, from financial services that ease trade and lending to insurance for small farmers and consumer goods for a growing middle class. Overall, the news offers practical reasons for optimism: more Bangladeshi startups are earning regional support, they are getting practical help to scale, and the steady focus on useful technology could lead to new jobs, stronger small businesses and better services for many people. Founders say they welcome mentorship, and investors say they will watch growth closely as the companies test products and enter nearby markets and scale.
