What started as a modest venture during the pandemic has now transformed into a remarkable success story. Head Gear, a Bangladeshi cap brand, has not only established a solid foothold in the local market but is now gearing up to expand internationally. Founded by brothers Imran Hossain and Iftikhar Ahmed, and later joined by Ikramul Haque, the brand has grown from selling caps online to producing and marketing original designs that are making waves both at home and abroad.
The idea behind Head Gear was born in 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Imran, inspired by the lack of a notable Bangladeshi cap brand in a market dominated by imitations and stocklot products, decided to create something unique. With just BDT 12,000, he purchased a batch of caps from Dhaka’s Siddique Bazaar, and along with his brother Iftikhar, they designed a logo and officially launched Head Gear on August 12, 2021. Their vision wasn’t merely to sell caps but to build a brand that emphasized quality, customer satisfaction, and originality.
Within two weeks of launching, Head Gear sold caps worth BDT 52,000, signaling a bright future for the venture. However, challenges soon followed. After a year of rapid growth, the brand’s Facebook page was unexpectedly deactivated due to AI algorithms targeting counterfeit product sellers. This setback threatened to derail their progress. Seeking guidance and support, the brothers approached Ikramul Haque, a supply chain expert working for a renowned eco-friendly garment factory. Impressed by the brand’s potential and their entrepreneurial spirit, Ikramul joined as an Executive Chairman and co-founder, steering Head Gear toward a more sustainable and scalable business model.
By this time, Head Gear had transitioned from selling stocklot products to designing and manufacturing their own caps. With a focus on superior materials and innovative designs, they quickly established themselves as a premium cap brand in Bangladesh. Today, the company offers over 500 unique designs and maintains a strong workforce of 17 employees, many of whom are university students working part-time.
The brand’s success story caught international attention when the team participated in the prestigious GITEX Global exhibition in Dubai last month. This event, which featured over 9,000 startups from 92 countries, provided Head Gear with significant exposure and networking opportunities. The team received an overwhelmingly positive response, particularly from investors and businesses in the Middle East. Ikramul noted, “We see immense potential in the Middle East and Indian markets, where the demand for quality fashion accessories is high, and competition in the cap segment is relatively low.”
Currently, the founders are in talks with investors in India and are strategizing to enter this massive market. “In India, there are only a couple of notable cap brands despite its vast population,” said Ikramul. “We believe there’s a significant opportunity to establish ourselves there.”
In addition to their international ambitions, Head Gear remains focused on dominating the local market. With an average monthly sale of 7,000–7,500 caps online, the founders aim to double this number by next year. They are also committed to maintaining quality, which they believe sets them apart from competitors. “Our customers are satisfied because we prioritize superior materials and trendy designs. That’s the secret to our success,” Ikramul explained.
CEO Imran Hossain shared their long-term vision:
Every year, over 13 million people from Bangladesh travel domestically and internationally. If we can sell at least one cap to each of them annually, we’ll have achieved something extraordinary. Our ultimate goal is to make Head Gear a globally recognized brand.
With their dedication, resilience, and innovative approach, Head Gear is not just selling caps; they are redefining what it means to build a local brand with global aspirations. Their journey inspires many young entrepreneurs, showcasing the power of turning a small idea into a big success.