Becho launched to support social commerce businesses

Becho, a new management platform for online sellers and small businesses, was launched on Tuesday, December 2, at BRAC University's Lecture Theatre in Dhaka.

The platform is designed to digitise day-to-day operations for small businesses and support their growth through data-driven tools.

The launch event brought together senior figures from the banking and regulatory sectors, members of the startup community, and young entrepreneurs. It opened with a panel discussion on digitisation and access to finance for small firms, followed by the product unveiling and a networking session.

Panellists from Bangladesh Bank, Eastern Bank PLC and BRAC Bank PLC discussed the rapid rise of social commerce, the challenges faced by small sellers, and the need for reliable digital records and alternative data to unlock credit for those without formal documentation.

In his welcome speech, BRAC University Registrar Dr David Dowland noted the growth of digital commerce in Bangladesh. Becho Co-founder and Managing Director Shahriar Khan Sazid, and Becho Chairman Mridha Md Arifuzzaman, said Bangladesh now hosts about half a million social commerce pages, many run by women. They said most sellers still rely on manual records, scattered messages and cash-on-delivery systems, which leave them without verifiable data for lenders.

Arifuzzaman said this data gap keeps many small entrepreneurs outside formal finance. He said Becho is designed as an operating system for these businesses so their real performance can be reflected in data trusted by banks.

Becho offers a mobile platform where sellers can manage products, orders, payments and deliveries from one place. It helps users create online stores, track orders from social media, manage logistics, keep automated financial records and access basic customer management tools.

The company plans to expand from digitisation to alternative credit scoring by using operational data to help banks assess small sellers. It also plans to build links between retailers, suppliers and logistics partners to create a more connected business ecosystem.

Speakers said solving challenges for small and cottage enterprises requires cooperation across regulators, banks, technology firms and academia. The event ended with a live demonstration of the Becho app and a networking session.