DARAZ
As South Asian ecommerce leader Daraz continues to consolidate its position , Founder and CEO Bjarke Mikkelsen discusses the strategies and ethos driving its success
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W hen it comes to opportunities in the ecommerce space , South Asia represents some of the world ’ s most fertile ground . With the barrier to entry for technology ’ s capabilities dropping lower all the time , emerging markets such as Pakistan , Bangladesh , Sri Lanka , Nepal and Myanmar - the territories where fast-growing retailer Daraz lays its cap - offer huge potential for enterprising tech leaders seeking to break new frontiers . Nevertheless , many are unaware of the untapped potential of the 500mn + population in those markets and their desire to become part of a global economy through technology .
In 2015 , Bjarke Mikkelsen , CEO at Daraz , made the bold leap from investment banking to the ecommerce space , targeting the as yet underserved South Asian region with great success . “ I decided to do something different ,” Mikkelsen explains . “ I wanted to be in the right industry , at the right time , in the right markets for the first time , to take the advantage and do something cutting edge .” He is frequently asked how he managed to make a success of the shift between such different industries ,
FEBRUARY 2020