Sonia Bashir Kabir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sonia Bashir Kabir
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| সোনিয়া বশির কবির | |
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| Born |
Dhaka, Bangladesh
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| Education | Masters in Business Administration |
| Alma mater | California State University, Santa Clara University |
| Occupation | Tech Investor & Tech Entrepreneur |
| Title | Founder:
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| Awards | Microsoft Founder's (Bill Gates) Award 2016, SDG Pioneer Award, 2017 Anannya Top Ten Awards (2015) |
Sonia Bashir Kabir is a leading technology investor from Bangladesh. She is known for investing in new tech companies, especially in growing markets in South Asia. Sonia started her career in the tech world in Silicon Valley, USA. She then became a tech business owner, an investor who helps new companies, and a manager for big investment funds.
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Meet Sonia Bashir Kabir
Sonia Bashir Kabir is the only female technology investor in Bangladesh. She focuses on helping new tech companies, called startups, grow in countries like Bangladesh.
Her Early Life and Schooling
Sonia finished her early schooling at Greenherald International School. She then went to Viqarunnisa Noon School and College. She lived in Silicon Valley, California, for 20 years. This is where she studied and trained in technology. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, East Bay. Later, she completed her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Santa Clara University.
Besides her studies, Sonia was also a talented athlete. She played volleyball and cricket for the Abahani women's team. She also played for the Bangladesh National Volleyball team.
Her Amazing Career Journey
Sonia worked for big companies like Sun Microsystems and Oracle in Silicon Valley. She also worked for new tech startups. Her skills include planning for growth, selling products, managing money, and building strong teams.
Sonia has served on many important boards. These include the American International School Dhaka and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (Women's Wing). She also advised the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI). This group helps businesses in Bangladesh.
Helping Other Women in Tech
Sonia founded the first Women's IT Association in Bangladesh, called Bangladesh Women in IT (BWIT). She also started the first Women Tech Investors Network (WTIN). She is also the founder of The Angels Network (TAN). She helped start and now advises the TiE Dhaka Chapter. TiE is a group from Silicon Valley that helps people become entrepreneurs.
Leading Tech Companies
Sonia has held big leadership roles in the tech world. She was the Managing Director for Microsoft in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, and Laos. She was also the Country Director for Dell Bangladesh. She worked as the Director of Business Development for Microsoft in new markets. She was also the Chief Operating Officer for Aamra Technologies Ltd.
Working with the United Nations
In 2015, the former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon chose Sonia to join the Governing Council of the Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries. She was elected as Vice Chairman of the UN Technology Bank in 2017. The current UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, reappointed Sonia to this role. She served as Vice Chair of the UN Tech Bank from 2019 to 2022.
Sonia also served as a board member for UNESCO's Mahatma Gandhi Institute. This institute focuses on education for peace and sustainable development.
Awards and Recognitions
Sonia has received many important awards for her work:
- In 2019, she was the first woman to win the ICT Business Person of the Year Award from the Daily Star ICT Awards.
- In 2016, she won the Microsoft Founder's Award from Bill Gates. Only 5 people out of 100,000 Microsoft employees received this award.
- In 2017, the UN Global Compact recognized Sonia as an SDG Pioneer. Only 10 people worldwide received this honor. She was recognized for helping achieve global goals like ending poverty and promoting quality education. She also worked on gender equality and creating partnerships for these goals.
- In 2022, she was named on the "Rest of World's" 100 Global Tech's Changemakers’ list. She was the first woman from Bangladesh to be on this list.
- She is also a recipient of the Anannya Top Ten Awards in 2016.
Sonia actively supports young people in technology. She also works to empower women across Bangladesh.
