Three founders of
ride-sharing company, Pathao, did something that could not be done by Facebook founder
Mark Zuckerberg, Alibaba founder Jack Ma and even Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Within a very short period of time, Pathao became so popular that it attracted foreign investors
to invest a huge amount of money in this local startup. It made three
unemployed youths- Hussain M Elius, Shifat
Adnan and Kishore Hashemi- millionaire. Now, they are the role model to many
youth who want to start their own startup.
In Dhaka city, smartphone-based
transport app Pathao has already created a
lot of response in the transport system. Pathao has revolutionized the transport
system of Dhaka, one of the populous cities in the world. Such initiative has
decreased the suffering and adversity of the dwellers of the capital.
It was March 2015. Of
the three entrepreneurs, Hussain M Elius had just completed his M.B.A degree in
Marketing from North South University. Shifat Adnan, another founder, had
already graduated with a degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Rajshahi
University of Engineering and Technology (RUET). These two young people thought
of doing something on their own instead of running after job.
To make their thought
come true, two friends started working as delivery agent in a limited capacity.
They delivered documents to homes on by-cycle. That is how ‘Pathao’, today’s popular
ride sharing company, began its journey.
At a time, two friends thought
of starting two-wheeler or motorcycle service. Motorbike would easily take the
passenger from one place to another place. As a result, it will save time on
the one hand, and on the other hand, passengers will not have to pay extra
money. At that time, Kishore Hashemi, who studied in Canada, joined Pathao.
The three people
together started the work of making app with the local developer. After making
app, they launched the smartphone-based motorbike service, Pathao, for the
first time in the capital. This service was launched in November 2016.
These three young
people, who started from zero, are now the owners of $100 million or Tk 820
crore in Bangladeshi currency, which is a unique record for Bangladeshi youth. They
started the business with three motorcycles, their only asset.
With honesty and industry,
they started getting success in a short period of time. Seeing their success, many
foreign investors invested in their business. As a result, these three young people
could become the owner of $100 million.
Crossing the national
boundary, Pathao is going to set its foot in international arena. This
organization, which provides bike, car and food services through app, is going
to start its operation in Nepal now this time. This is going to be the first
Bangladeshi ride-sharing start-up to start its operation abroad. Pathao
officials have said that they will give formal announcement regarding this
matter very soon.
