NSU Startups Next (NSUSN), the flagship startup incubation platform of North South University organised a Fireside Chat with Bickey Russell, Head of Asia-Pacific, Global Alliances and Channels at Stripe. The session, held at the NSUSN Office, offered invaluable insights to early-stage entrepreneurs and cohort companies on startup growth, market entry, and strategic partnerships.

Bickey Russell is a seasoned expert in global operations and startup development. With over 13 years at Google including as Director of Global Operations for the Next Billion Users Initiative—and now at Stripe, he supports startup and SME growth across the Asia-Pacific region. He is known for his role in launching initiatives such as Google’s Kormo and for his deep understanding of emerging market dynamics.

During the session, Mr Russell shared practical advice on overcoming early-stage challenges, validating products, forging partnerships, and building an entrepreneurial mindset that can weather adversity and scale sustainably.

“To connect with the market, you need to do the groundwork manually,” said Bickey Russell. “As a startup, you need to be willing to do that to grow your business.”

Samuel Mursalin, Director (In-Charge) of NSUSN, said, “We are immensely grateful to Mr Bickey Russell for generously sharing his insights. His guidance will undoubtedly help our cohort companies better navigate the startup landscape and refine their business strategies.”

The event is part of NSUSN’s ongoing efforts to connect Bangladeshi startup founders with global leaders, thereby enhancing the ecosystem’s visibility and supporting the growth of innovative ventures across the region.