How We Started Kobul - A Bangladeshi Matrimony Matchmaking Platform

Published on February 14, 2024

Do you have a million-dollar startup idea but feel completely stuck? You see a clear problem to solve, but the path forward is a fog of uncertainty. Maybe you can't code, you're afraid your idea will be stolen, or you simply don't know where to begin. That feeling of paralysis is real, and it keeps countless brilliant ideas from ever seeing the light of day.

As the founder of Kobul.com, I know this feeling intimately because I faced it. My journey wasn't a straight line from a classroom to a venture-funded success. It was a messy, winding path filled with boring jobs, failed ideas, and a powerful pivot that changed everything.

This post isn't a theoretical textbook. It's my unfiltered story and a practical guide on how to start a startup in Bangladesh, especially if you're starting from scratch without a technical background.

The Spark: Why a Boring Job Was My Best Motivator

It all began with a simple, personal goal: I wanted to get married. But to do that, I needed a stable income. Fresh out of university, I landed a job as an accountant at a tech startup in December 2021.

While I was a star performer at my job, a deep sense of boredom quickly crept in. The accounting work was predictable and lacked challenge. Driven by an insatiable curiosity, I started taking on more responsibilities: HR, administration, even developing the company website.

But more work didn't equal more fulfillment. It just led to a huge workload with zero adventure.

Surrounded by the vibrant energy of the startup world, I saw founders tackling massive challenges every single day. Their passion was infectious, and it ignited a fire in me. I realized I didn't want to just balance the books for someone else's dream; I wanted to build my own.

My First Big Idea (And Why It Failed)

Then I was living in a bachelor shared flat (a "mess") with so many problems, finding a seat in a better mess was a nightmare. There was no time to search, and the process was inefficient, such as calling hundreds of to-let numbers.

This led to my first startup idea: bichana.com, an Airbnb-style marketplace exclusively for bachelor accommodations in Bangladesh.

I bought the domain and tried to build a website with WordPress as I have WordPress site designing skills from my 16.

The Non-Technical Founder's Dilemma

My "million-dollar idea" was facing a classic set of roadblocks that stop most aspiring founders:

The Tech Barrier: I quickly realized that WordPress plugins couldn't handle the unique challenges facing the Bangladeshi market. I needed a custom-coded application for the features and flexibility a real startup requires.
The Resource Gap: I couldn't code. Hiring a developer was too expensive, and I wasn't mature enough to offer a stranger equity in my "holy idea."
The Fear Factor: I was so protective of my idea that I didn't apply for grants or seek funding, terrified that someone would steal it. This is a common but paralyzing misconception—ideas are worthless without execution.

I was completely stuck. My brilliant solution was going nowhere.

The Turning Point: Trading Fear for a New Skillset

This failure was a gift. It forced me to confront my biggest obstacle: myself. My fear and lack of technical skills were the real bottlenecks. So, I decided to change the equation. I decided to learn the language of computers.

I enrolled in a certification course offered by Meta on Coursera, and it became my obsession. I finished every module ahead of schedule, eagerly waiting for the next one to drop. I earned the certification on March 25, 2023. With a foundational knowledge in my brain, a burning desire in my heart, and ChatGPT at my fingertips,

I was no longer just a man with an idea. I was now a builder.

Founder's Insight: The most valuable investment you can make is in your own skills. Don't let a lack of knowledge be the reason your dream dies.

Finding a Billion-Dollar Problem in an Unexpected Place

While I was deep in code, my family was busy with another kind of search: finding a bride for me. Over six months, they managed to arrange meetings with just two potential matches.

It struck me with absolute clarity: searching for a life partner was infinitely harder than searching for a bed in a hostel.

I've always believed that the harder the problem you solve, the greater the reward. In that moment, I left my "unique" million-dollar idea and started chasing a billion-dollar dream. The matchmaking and matrimony space in Bangladesh wasn't new. But despite some players being in the market for a decade, no single platform had become the go-to solution.

The market wasn't untapped, but it was wide open for the right solution. It was an opportunity to build something truly meaningful.

From Idea to Action: The Beginning of Kobul

This realization was the true beginning. All the previous steps—the boring job, the failed startup, the late nights learning to code—were just preparation for this moment. This is how Kobul was born.

My journey is just starting, and I plan to share every crucial step, every decision, and every lesson learned along the way—both the wins and the wasted time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to learn to code to start a tech startup in Bangladesh? Not necessarily, but you must have a way to build your product. My story shows one path: learning yourself. The other primary paths are finding a technical co-founder you trust or securing funding to hire a development team. The key is to solve the "how to build" problem early.

How do you find a good startup idea? The best ideas often come from solving problems you personally experience. I didn't do market research to find my ideas; I lived them. Pay attention to your daily frustrations and the inefficiencies you see around you. That's where the most valuable opportunities are hidden.

Is it better to have a unique idea or enter an existing market? While a unique idea sounds appealing, it can be harder to educate the market. I pivoted from a "unique" idea (bichana.com) to a just growing market. An existing market proves there is customer demand. Your opportunity is to enter that market with a better solution, a better user experience, or a better business model.

Your Journey Starts Now

Starting a startup in Bangladesh is a marathon, not a sprint. It's a journey of recognizing problems, acquiring skills, and having the courage to pivot when a better opportunity appears. My path from accountant to founder wasn't planned, but it was driven by a desire to solve real challenges.

Don't let fear hold you back. Your idea is just the starting line. The real adventure begins when you take that first, concrete step to bring it to life.

What is the biggest challenge holding you back from starting your journey? Share your story in the comments below!

About the Author

Mahmud H. Shakir is a tech entrepreneur and academic researcher. As the CEO of kobul.com and an experienced software engineer, he has expertise in building and scaling technology startups. His practical expertise is backed by academic inquiry as a doctoral candidate at Inti International University, Malaysia. Connect with him on LinkedIn.