Sonia Bashir Kabir

Sonia Bashir Kabir is an impact investor focusing on tech startups in emerging markets of South Asia. Sonia began her career as a Tech Corporate Professional and her journey led her to become a Tech Entrepreneur, an Angel Investor and a Tech Philanthropist. Sonia is currently the Founder of SBK Tech Ventures and SBK Foundation - her “Not for profit” entity which believes in empowering rural communities with Technology. “Tech Hubs” is an initiative of SBK Foundation. Sonia has served as the Managing Director for Microsoft Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan and Laos, Country Director of Dell Bangladesh, Director Business Development for South East Asia, New Emerging Markets in Microsoft and Chief Operating Officer for Aamra Technologies Ltd. Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed Sonia in 2015 to the Governing Council of the Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries (LDC) for a 3-year term. She was elected as Vice Chairman of UN Technology Bank in 2017. Current UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres renewed Sonia’s appointment as Governing Council member and Sonia has been reappointed as Vice Chair of the UN Tech Bank for the 2019-2022 term. Sonia is also a Board member in UNESCO’s Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development. Sonia is the first woman to win the ICT Business Person of the Year Award from the Daily Star ICT Awards in 2019 - biggest tech award platform in Bangladesh. Sonia was recognized by UN Global compact in 2017 as a SDG pioneer. 10 people globally got this recognition. She was recognized for integrating seven Global Goals into her business practices and strategies: no poverty; quality education; gender equality; decent work and economic growth; industry, innovation and infrastructure; reduced inequalities; creating partnerships to meet the Goals. Sonia was the first woman to win the ICT Business Person of the Year Award from Daily Star in 2019[7] and she was one of the 10 recipients of Microsoft Founder's Award in 2016 given by Bill Gates. Sonia was one of the 10 recipients of Microsoft‘s Prestigious Founder's Award in 2016 given by Bill Gates. Sonia actively supports youth in technology and women empowerment with youth-led initiatives all over Bangladesh.