#Title

From Bangladesh to

Silicon Valley
Tech startup InveStar founder Farihan F. Rahman recently became the first founder from Bangladesh to graduate from the Draper University Entrepreneurship Program – an immersive entrepreneurship programme in Silicon Valley – with a scholarship. He talks about his experience at the programme.
PHOTOS: COURTESY
Farihan and his team at InveStarare on a mission to revolutionise financial literacy and democratise micro-investing in Bangladesh by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI). The tech startup wants to empower young people to build long-term wealth and financial security by making investing knowledge accessible to everyone.
“With InveStar, we’re not just building an AI-driven investing platform; we’re creating a movement to democratise wealth-building and promote financial literacy,” Farihan shares. “We want every young person to have the tools and knowledge to take control of their financial future.”
This vision took Farihan to Draper University, a unique hub of innovation in the heart of Silicon Valley. Over five weeks, Farihan and more than a hundred founders from 37 countries underwent an immersive entrepreneurship programme led by some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, teachers, and investors. The experience included lectures from representatives of Stanford University, Tesla, and NASA, and masterclasses with Tim Draper, the billionaire venture capitalist behind companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and Robinhood.
The experience also featured an exhilarating “Demo Day” where Farihan presented InveStar to a distinguished audience from Silicon Valley, including Tim Draper himself.
“Presenting InveStar to such a high-profile audience was both nerve-wracking and incredibly rewarding,” Farihan says. “It validated our mission to make investing more inclusive and accessible with the power of AI.”
Farihan’s team, “Lanterns” shone brightly throughout the programme, earning them the title of the “Best Team.”
The participants were also taught essential survival and leadership skills, including first aid care, cooking, boat building, hiking, axe throwing, knife fighting, archery, and firearm handling.
One of the most unforgettable moments of the programme was a 3.5 km hike led by Tim Draper. Draper guided the group across Silicon Valley, ending the journey with a symbolic jump into the Draper University pool, doing so fully suited.
“Tim Draper taught us that sometimes you just have to take the leap,” Farihan says. “His energy and passion were infectious, and it was a powerful lesson in boldness and resilience.”
For Farihan, the time he spent at Draper University is not about personal achievements but about paving the way for the next generation of Bangladeshi entrepreneurs.
“I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity,” Farihan says. “But more than that, I hope my journey inspires other young people in Bangladesh to dream big and pursue their passions. There is so much potential in our country, especially among our next generation, and I am excited to see what we can achieve together.”
As InveStar continues its mission to promote financial literacy and make investing accessible to all, Farihan’s experience in Silicon Valley will serve as a powerful foundation.
“We are just getting started,” he says. “The future is bright for young innovators in Bangladesh, and I am looking forward to seeing more of us step onto the global stage and make a real difference.”