In conversation with Imran Khan: Capital markets, startup investment & becoming global resources

In a recent episode of Bangladesh & The World, hosted by the Bangladesh America Alliance, I had the opportunity to speak with Imran Khan, a Bangladeshi-born business leader who helped take Alibaba public in a record-breaking $25 billion IPO at Credit Suisse, and later shaped Snap Inc.'s business as Chief Strategy Officer.

While his story is impressive, what stood out was his insight on how we can unlock our future potential in Bangladesh.

"I want to see Bangladesh win," he said. "But we have to fix the fundamentals first." 

Capital markets: Let companies fail

Khan emphasised the need for transparency and discipline in our capital markets. "If the data isn't real, if stock prices are manipulated, no one's going to trust it," he said.

He argued that propping up weak companies erodes investor confidence. "You have to let companies fail. You cannot keep protecting sick businesses," he added.

He also suggested the creation of a second-tier exchange for smaller companies similar to what NASDAQ once was to allow emerging businesses to access capital more easily.

Startup ecosystem: We need smarter laws

Khan shared how restrictive financial policies are hurting local startups. "Founders raise money but can't bring it into the country. And when they succeed, they can't take it out," he said.

According to him, this discourages foreign investors and forces Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to open companies abroad. "Run the country like a business. Focus on things that create economic value," he added. 

Diaspora capital: Unlock the barriers

He also pointed to the untapped potential of the Bangladeshi diaspora. "Why does it take 100 documents for a Bangladeshi American to buy an apartment in Dhaka?" he argued. According to Khan, if we want their investment, we need to make financial systems simpler and more transparent.

Giving youth ownership

To retain our brightest minds, Khan believes we must shift from salaries to ownership.

"The best way to retain talent is to give them a stake in the game," he said, referencing stock options and employee equity as key drivers of innovation abroad.

He also spoke about Khanference, a platform he launched to bring together doers, thinkers, and builders in the U.S. Eventually, something like this can be built for Bangladesh too.

Khan said, "This country has energy. The youth want change. Now we need to give them the tools and the platform."

Imran Khan's journey shows us what's possible. But to make room for more like him, we need capital markets that inspire trust, startup laws that support growth, and a system that empowers both our youth and our diaspora to build a better Bangladesh.

This conversation was part of the Bangladesh & The World podcast, an initiative of the Bangladesh America Alliance, which brings global voices into critical dialogues about Bangladesh's future. The podcast explores bold ideas at the intersection of policy, business, and youth leadership.

The episode was hosted by Munaf Mojib Chowdhury, Founder of Ekshathe Foundation, a digital and AI adoption trainer, and a former lead for Meta's advertising business in Bangladesh. He is an active voice in bridging technology, storytelling, and future-ready skills for the next generation.