ShopUp, Bangladesh’s largest B2B commerce platform, and Sary, the leading B2B marketplace and services platform in the Gulf, have merged to form the SILQ Group. 

This merger brings together Gulf & Emerging Asia, creating the largest B2B commerce platform to serve the fastest-growing consumer markets in the region and across the globe, according to a press release today.

The merger is backed by a $110 million funding led by Sanabil Investments, a wholly owned company by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Peter Thiel’s Valar Ventures. This funding includes an equity investment and financing facility for SILQ Financial, the group’s financial services arm. 

Together, ShopUp and Sary have served over 600,000 retailers, hotels, restaurants, cafes, and wholesalers, impacting tens of millions of customers in mom-and-pop shop communities since inception. 

According to the media release, to date, the combined network has made over $5 billion in transactions on their platforms and exceeded $750 million in embedded financing disbursements. Furthermore, the companies have facilitated a total of 100 million shipments. This will establish SILQ as the platform of choice that enables businesses to grow by increasing their efficiency through a combination of financial tools, logistic services, and commerce features.

Post-merger, both ShopUp and Sary brands will continue to operate in their respective geographies under their respective brand names while leveraging SILQ’s infrastructure and combined capabilities. The group will also establish SILQ Financial as its financing arm. It will be creating financial infrastructure, doubling down on the embedded financing scale of both markets and the point-of-sale (POS) business.

ShopUp’s Founder & CEO, Afeef Zaman, will serve as SILQ Group CEO, while Sary’s Founder & CEO, Mohammed Aldossary, will lead SILQ Financial as CEO. 

“Through this merger, we’re entering what’s set to become one of the world’s largest trade corridors—projected to reach $682 billion. We’re in the front seat to serve some of the most exciting, fast-growing economies that are set to shape global consumption in the coming decades, giving them greater access to products from around the world.”, said Afeef Zaman, CEO of SILQ Group.

“By merging our strengths, we’re not just expanding our reach – we’re revolutionizing how digital commerce serves Gulf’s merchants and South Asia manufacturers. This alliance brings together the best of both worlds: deep regional expertise and world-class technology to empower every business in our ecosystem where financial services are a cornerstone,” said Mohammed Aldossary, CEO of SILQ Financial.

“SILQ is poised to become a leading B2B commerce player both regionally and globally. It addresses numerous challenges faced by B2B businesses seeking a fully integrated platform that combines financial, logistics, and commerce services. This merger will enhance SILQ’s depth, expertise, and scale. We remain committed to supporting the company’s leadership to ensure this merger benefits all stakeholders,” said a spokesperson at Sanabil Investments.

“Saudi Arabia and the Gulf represent one of the most exciting economic stories in the world today. This merger reflects a bold vision to place these markets at the center of a new commercial ecosystem connecting with South Asia. With a leadership team that has consistently demonstrated courage and foresight, SILQ has the potential to define this category through ambition that matches the regions it serves,” said James Fitzgerald, founding partner at Valar Ventures.

This marks one of the most significant global expansion milestones ever achieved by a startup from Bangladesh, said a statement issued by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing. 

This moment is more than a funding headline; it’s a clear signal that Bangladeshi startups are ready for the world stage.

To accelerate this momentum, Bangladesh Bank has committed to a landmark startup funding initiative: Tk800 crore (approximately US$66 million) in equity and Tk400 crore (approximately US$33 million) in debt. 

This fund will serve as a catalytic boost for early and growth-stage startups, empowering local founders to innovate, scale and compete globally, the statement read. 

SILQ is backed by renowned investors, including Sanabil Investments, a wholly owned company by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Peter Thiel’s Valar Ventures, Flourish Ventures, VSQ, MSA Capital, Rocketship VC, STV, Wafra Investment (owned by Kuwait PIFSS), Peak XV, Prosus, Tiger Global, Endeavor Catalyst, and Raed Ventures. 

This round will also see participation from new investors like Qatar Government-owned Qatar Development Bank. SILQ is set to establish a strong presence in Qatar to extend its offering to SMEs in Qatar, reads the media release.

_{Source: The Business Standard}