Category: Newsroom

ICT Division is hosting Youth Startup Summit 2025 which is being organized by Startup Bangladesh Ltd. to inspire and empower young entrepreneurs across Bangladesh. Scheduled to be held all throughout the month of February 2025, the Summit will take place in five segments throughout all divisions. 

The event will consist of three core components, Youth Innovation Challenge, sessions to Spread knowledge and awareness and Exhibition for startups to showcase their innovations and recruit talents. 

The Youth Startup Summit 2025 has launched Youth Innovation Challenge 2025, discussion sessions and exhibition at Chittagong Independent University, Chittagong on February 22, 2025 to inspire and engage young innovators. The competition is designed to encourage young innovators and entrepreneurs to develop creative and impactful solutions to address some of Bangladesh’s most pressing challenges allowing students to present their ideas, prototypes, or MVPs (Minimum Viable Products), focusing on key areas such as financial inclusion, urban mobility, healthcare access, energy solutions, education, climate change, and food security. The primary goal is to foster entrepreneurship, enhance problem-solving skills, and encourage social and environmental impact through sustainable business models. 

After receiving a good number of applications, 8 selected teams – LoopBag, Ezygo, Groccii, RoadBook BD, Khelboo, UniApp, BIT and Todvob pitched their impactful solutions to the panel of judges The judge panel was represented by key professionals from relevant sectors. 

The event featured a master class on Startup Fundamentals: Mastering the Essentials of Building and Scaling a Business by Mirza Salman Hossain Beg, Founder, EnduringX, Co-founder & ex COO, 10 Minute School. The event presented a panel discussion on From Idea to Scale: The Startup Journey which was conducted by the moderator,  Arafatul Islam Akib,Founder,Startup Chattogram. And the panelists were A.K.M Fahim Mashroor, Co-Founder and CEO, Bdjobs.com Ltd., Nabila Nowrin, Co-founder & CEO, Moar Space Ltd.,  Fahad Ifaz, Co-founder and CEO, iFarmer and  Anayet Rashid, Founder & CEO, TruckLagbe.

The competition ended with the winner announcement at the prize giving ceremony where Chief Guest  Shish Haider Chowdhury, NDC, Secretary, ICT Division and  Guest of Honor, Dr. Syed Manzur Quader, Dean, CIU Business School, Chittagong Independent University announced winners. 

Secretary of ICT Division Shish Haider Chowdhury said, Youth Startup Summit has already been held in Rajshahi, Sylhet, Khulna and lastly in Chittagong today. The final round of the summit will be held on February 28 at BICC in Dhaka.We encourage our youth to embrace the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation rather than seeking traditional employment. I request the young minds to explore the vast opportunities that the digital age offers. 

The winning team UniApp got the prize money of 3,00,000 BDT for presenting their idea about Simplifying University Application System in Bangladesh

Team Ezygo received 2,00,000 BDT for being first runner-up, presenting the solution. Ezygo impressed the judges by their solution that demonstrated a strong understanding about future green delivery services. The team RoadBook BD received 1,00,000 BDT for being the second runner-up who presented a solution for safer, hassle free, fast and affordable transport for women.  

By recognizing the best solutions, the competition aims to promote a culture of innovation and empower young minds to contribute meaningfully to Bangladesh’s development.

The event highlighted interactive seminars focused on startups & entrepreneurs, pitching competition among local, university student startups, showcasing & recruitment in the exhibition zone as opportunities for students. The event also inspired spreading knowledge, strengthening connectivity, showcasing homegrown innovations and fostering opportunities. It is a groundbreaking event for students, fresh graduates, aspiring founders and entrepreneurs. Through engaging seminars, competitions, and networking opportunities, the summit was designed to educate, empower, and connect young talent with the tools and resources needed to launch a successful venture.

The summit offered exceptional networking opportunities to the attendees. They had the chance to engage with industry experts and successful entrepreneurs fostering collaboration and mentorship that can guide the young enthusiasts. 

The competition had some criteria to be met by the participants to be eligible for application. Each team consisted of 3 young aspiring members who were students. Besides, the solution addressed one of the critical challenges outlined in the Case Bundle i.e. financial inclusion, urban mobility, healthcare access, energy solutions, education, climate change, or food security. The participating teams also had to ensure that the ideas submitted must be original, and not a direct copy of existing solutions. 

The CUET Career Club & Chittagong Independent University joined the event as campus partner and Startup Chattogram joined as Community Partner. Knowledge partner at the event was Lightcastle Partners.

For more information, please visit http://www.yss.startupbangladesh.vc.

ICT Division is hosting Youth Startup Summit 2025 which is being organized by Startup Bangladesh Ltd. to inspire and empower young entrepreneurs across Bangladesh. Scheduled to be held all throughout the month of February 2025, the Summit will take place in five segments throughout all divisions. 

The event will consist of three core components, Youth Innovation Challenge, sessions to Spread knowledge and awareness and Exhibition for startups to showcase their innovations and recruit talents. 

The Youth Startup Summit 2025 has launched Youth Innovation Challenge 2025, discussion sessions and exhibition at Khulna University premises on February 17, 2025 to inspire and engage young innovators. The competition is designed to encourage young innovators and entrepreneurs to develop creative and impactful solutions to address some of Bangladesh’s most pressing challenges allowing students to present their ideas, prototypes, or MVPs (Minimum Viable Products), focusing on key areas such as financial inclusion, urban mobility, healthcare access, energy solutions, education, climate change, and food security. The primary goal is to foster entrepreneurship, enhance problem-solving skills, and encourage social and environmental impact through sustainable business models. 

The event was commended by Sami Ahmed, Managing Director of Startup Bangladesh. The event presented panel discussion on From Idea to Scale: The Startup Journey which was conducted by moderator Kazi Ridwan Ahmed, Co-founder, Skoot, and the panelists were Qazi Bouland, Co-founder & CEO, Agroshift; Adnan Imtiaz Halim, CEO & Co-founder, Sheba Platform Ltd; Zia Ashraf, Co-founder & COO, Chaldal and Erad Kawsar – Executive Director, BUILD Bangladesh

Out of a vast pool of applications, 8 teams were selected to pitch their startup concepts to the panel of judges. The teams are AQUASENSE BD, Thirst Relief, Eco Sentinels, Agro Assistant, Swatez, Impact X, Agro Care and iStudy. The judge panel was represented by key professionals from relevant sectors. 

The competition ended with the winner announcement at the prize giving ceremony where Professor Dr. Anwarul Haque Joarder, Pro- Vice Chancellor, Northern University of Business and Technology, Khulna announced the winners. 

The winning team Eco Sentinels gets the prize money of 3,00,000 BDT for pitching a solution to the case Addressing Climate Challenges and Building Resilience in Bangladesh. They presented their idea about transforming salinity-affected areas into vibrant agricultural and ecological hubs.

Team AQUASENSE BD receives 2,00,000 BDT for being first runner-up, presenting the solution of the case Food Security in Bangladesh- Ensuring Affordable Nutrition for All. AQUASENSE BD impressed the judges by their solution that demonstrated a strong understanding of the challenges of Bangladesh’s food system and offered a practical and scalable approach by Transforming Fisheries with IoT, Data, and Expert Support.

The team Thirst Relief receives 1,00,000 BDT for being the second runner-up who presented a solution for the case Addressing Climate Challenges and Building Resilience in Bangladesh.  They demonstrated their product Thirst Relief Rain – in a box making access to renewable energy, improved health and making life of women easier.

By recognizing the best solutions, the competition aims to promote a culture of innovation and empower young minds to contribute meaningfully to Bangladesh’s development.

The event highlighted pitching competition among local, university student startups, showcasing & recruitment in the exhibition zone as opportunities for students. The event also inspired spreading knowledge, strengthening connectivity, showcasing homegrown innovations and fostering opportunities. It is a groundbreaking event for students, fresh graduates, aspiring founders and entrepreneurs. Through engaging seminars, competitions, and networking opportunities, the summit was designed to educate, empower, and connect young talent with the tools and resources needed to launch a successful venture.

The summit offered exceptional networking opportunities to the attendees. They had the chance to engage with industry experts and successful entrepreneurs fostering collaboration and mentorship that can guide the young enthusiasts. 

The competition had some criteria to be met by the participants to be eligible for application. Each team consisted of 3 young aspiring members who were students. Besides, the solution addressed one of the critical challenges outlined in the Case Bundle i.e. financial inclusion, urban mobility, healthcare access, energy solutions, education, climate change, or food security. The participating teams also had to ensure that the ideas submitted must be original, and not a direct copy of existing solutions. 

The Khulna University Innovation Club, Northern University of Business and Technology Khulna, KUET Career Club was the campus partner and Startup Khulna and Startup Khulna were the Community Partner at the event.  Knowledge partner at the event was Lightcastle Partners.

For more information, please visit http://www.yss.startupbangladesh.gov.bd

ICT Division is hosting Youth Startup Summit 2025 which is being organized by Startup Bangladesh Ltd. to inspire and empower young entrepreneurs across Bangladesh. Scheduled to be held all throughout the month of February 2025, the Summit will take place in five segments throughout all divisions. 

The event will consist of three core components, Youth Innovation Challenge, sessions to Spread knowledge and awareness and Exhibition for startups to showcase their innovations and recruit talents. 

The Youth Startup Summit 2025 has launched Youth Innovation Challenge 2025, discussion sessions and exhibition at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology University premises, Shahjalal on February 13, 2025 to inspire and engage young innovators. The competition is designed to encourage young innovators and entrepreneurs to develop creative and impactful solutions to address some of Bangladesh’s most pressing challenges allowing students to present their ideas, prototypes, or MVPs (Minimum Viable Products), focusing on key areas such as financial inclusion, urban mobility, healthcare access, energy solutions, education, climate change, and food security. The primary goal is to foster entrepreneurship, enhance problem-solving skills, and encourage social and environmental impact through sustainable business models. 

The event was commended by Sami Ahmed, Managing Director of Startup Bangladesh. Quamrun Naher Siddiqua, Additional Secretary (Administration Wing), ICT Division inaugurated the event. The event featured master class on Startup Fundamentals: Mastering the Essentials of Building and Scaling a Business by Mirza Salman Hossain Beg, Founder, EnduringX, Cofounder & ex COO, 10 Minute School and fire side chat on The Startup Journey: An Inspiring Story of Building a Business from the Ground Up by A.K.M Fahim Mashroor, Co-Founder and CEO; Bdjobs Ltd. and Md Shahjahan Jewel, Founder & CEO, AuthLab. The event presented two panel discussions on From Idea to Scale: The Startup Journey which was conducted by moderator Sami Ahmed, MD, Startup Bangladesh and Panelist, Shahir Chowdhury, Founder and CEO, Shikho; Md. Mubir Mahmud Chowdhury, Founder and MD, Sokrio Technologies Limited; Ershadur Rahman Talukder, Co-founder, Inverse AI, Syed Rezwanul Haque, Co-founder & MD, TechNext, Farhat Shafi Chowdhury, Chief Operating Officer, Staff Asia Ltd. The other panel discussion was on From Pitch to Investment: Navigating the Funding Landscape; which was conducted by moderator Md. Altamis Nabil, Head of Advisory Board, Startup Sylhet, Co-Founder & CEO, Youth Upskill Network – YUNet

and the panelists were A. K. M Fahim Mashroor, Co-Founder and CEO, Bdjobs Ltd. Nazim Farhan Choudhury, Managing Director, Adcomm Ltd. Mirza Salman Hossain Beg, Founder, EnduringX, Co-founder & ex COO, 10 Minute School  and Shahir Chowdhury, Founder and CEO, Shikho. 

Out of a vast pool of applications, 8 teams were selected to pitch their startup concepts to the panel of judges. The teams are InclusiCare, Pritilata, AutoMAMA, Game Changer, SignTalk, Synerbotics ,Electric and Daricomma. The judge panel was represented by key professionals from relevant sectors. 

The competition ended with the winner announcement at the prize giving ceremony where Professor Dr. A. M. Sarwaruddin Chowdhury, Vice Chancellor, (SUST) and Professor Dr. Md. Shajedul Karim, Pro Vice Chancellor, (SUST)  announced the winners. 

The winning team Sign Talk gets the prize money of 3,00,000 BDT. Team Inclusicare receives 2,00,000 BDT for being first runner-up and team Daricomma receives 1,00,000 BDT for being the second runner-up.  

By recognizing the best solutions, the competition aims to promote a culture of innovation and empower young minds to contribute meaningfully to Bangladesh’s development.

The event highlighted interactive seminars focused on startups & entrepreneurs, pitching competition among local, university student startups, showcasing & recruitment in the exhibition zone as opportunities for students. The event also inspired spreading knowledge, strengthening connectivity, showcasing homegrown innovations and fostering opportunities. It is a groundbreaking event for students, fresh graduates, aspiring founders and entrepreneurs. Through engaging seminars, competitions, and networking opportunities, the summit was designed to educate, empower, and connect young talent with the tools and resources needed to launch a successful venture.

The summit offered exceptional networking opportunities to the attendees. They had the chance to engage with industry experts and successful entrepreneurs fostering collaboration and mentorship that can guide the young enthusiasts. 

The competition had some criteria to be met by the participants to be eligible for application. Each team consisted of 3 young aspiring members who were students. Besides, the solution addressed one of the critical challenges outlined in the Case Bundle i.e. financial inclusion, urban mobility, healthcare access, energy solutions, education, climate change, or food security. The participating teams also had to ensure that the ideas submitted must be original, and not a direct copy of existing solutions. 

The SUST Career Club was the campus partner and Startup Sylhet was the Community Partner at the event.  Knowledge partner at the event was Lightcastle Partners.

For more information, please visit https://yss.startupbangladesh.gov.bd

 

 

ICT Division is hosting Youth Startup Summit 2025 which is being organized by Startup Bangladesh Ltd. to inspire and empower young entrepreneurs across Bangladesh. Scheduled to be held all throughout the month of February 2025, the Summit will take place in five segments throughout all divisions.

The event will consist of three core components, Youth Innovation Challenge, sessions to Spread knowledge and awareness and Exhibition for startups to showcase their innovations and recruit talents.

The Youth Startup Summit 2025 has launched Youth Innovation Challenge 2025, discussion sessions and exhibition at Rajshahi University premises, Rajshahi on February 6, 2025 to inspire and engage young innovators. The competition is designed to encourage young innovators and entrepreneurs to develop creative and impactful solutions to address some of Bangladesh’s most pressing challenges allowing students to present their ideas, prototypes, or MVPs (Minimum Viable Products), focusing on key areas such as financial inclusion, urban mobility, healthcare access, energy solutions, education, climate change, and food security. The primary goal is to foster entrepreneurship, enhance problem-solving skills, and encourage social and environmental impact through sustainable business models.

The event was kicked off by Sami Ahmed, Managing Director of Startup Bangladesh. Dr. Saleh Hasan Naqib, Vice-Chancellor, University of Rajshahi inaugurated the event. The event featured master class on Startup Fundamentals: Mastering the Essentials of Building and Scaling a Business by Shubho Al-Farooq, CEO of Zantrik and fire side chat on The Startup Journey: An Inspiring Story of Building a Business from the Ground Up by Mahir Ashef, General Secretary of Startup Rajshahi & Co-founder/COO of Youth Upskill Network (YUNet) and Waseem Alim, CEO of Chaldal. The event presented two panel discussions on From Idea to Scale: How Ecosystem Enablers Can Accelerate Your Startup which was conducted by Dewan Adnan, Investment Manager, Startup Bangladesh, Bijon Islam, CEO, Lightcastle Partners, Nayem Hossain Saikat, Managing Director, Dubotech, Md Ahsan Habib, CEO, Area71 Venture Limited and Rafidul Islam, Vice president, Startup Rajshahi. And the other one on From Pitch to Investment: Navigating the Funding Landscape which was conducted by Shubho Al-Farooq, CEO, Zantrik, Startup Bangladesh Limited, Waseem Alim, CEO, Chaldal, Sadia Haque, CEO, ShareTrip, Bijon Islam, CEO, Lightcastle Partners, Shubho Al-Farooq, CEO, Zantrik.

After receiving a good number of applications, 8 selected teams – SystemSage Solutions, Healthlink, ACE, Anondopath, ECO PEDAL, AlgaeN, GuideNao, SkinCare AI pitched their impactful solutions to the panel of judges The judge panel was represented by key professionals from relevant sectors.
The competition ended with winner announcement at the prize giving ceremony where, Professor Mohammad Main Uddin, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration), University of Rajshahi, Professor Md. Farid Uddin Khan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic), University of Rajshahi announced winners.

The winning team Anondopath gets the prize money of BDT 3,00,000. SystemSage Solutions team receives BDT 2,00,000 for being first runner-up and team SkinCare AI receives BDT 1,00,000 for being the second runner-up.

By recognizing the best solutions, the competition aims to promote a culture of innovation and empower young minds to contribute meaningfully to Bangladesh’s development.

The event highlighted interactive seminars focused on startups & entrepreneurs, pitching competition among local, university student startups, showcasing & recruitment in the exhibition zone as opportunities for students. The event also inspired spreading knowledge, strengthening connectivity, showcasing homegrown innovations and fostering opportunities. It is a groundbreaking event for students, fresh graduates, aspiring founders and entrepreneurs. Through engaging seminars, competitions, and networking opportunities, the summit was designed to educate, empower, and connect young talent with the tools and resources needed to launch a successful venture.

The summit offered exceptional networking opportunities to the attendees. They had the chance to engage with industry experts and successful entrepreneurs fostering collaboration and mentorship that can guide the young enthusiasts.

The competition had some criteria to be met by the participants to be eligible for application. Each team consisted of 3 young aspiring members who were students. Besides, the solution addressed one of the critical challenges outlined in the Case Bundle i.e. financial inclusion, urban mobility, healthcare access, energy solutions, education, climate change, or food security. The participating teams also had to ensure that the ideas submitted must be original, and not a direct copy of existing solutions.

The Rajshahi University Career Club (RUCC) joined the event as campus partner and Startup Rajshahi joined as Community Partner. Knowledge partner at the event was Lightcastle Partners.
For more information, please visit http://www.yss.startupbangladesh.vc/

Dhaka, Bangladesh – January 2025 – Startup Bangladesh Ltd., the government-backed venture capital company, has been working diligently towards the development of startup ecosystem. Over the past six months, the company has invested a total of BDT 11.10 Crore and disbursed BDT 9.025 Crore across a diverse range of innovative startups. With a strong focus on digital innovation, tech solutions, and entrepreneurial spirit, Startup Bangladesh Ltd. continues to play a crucial role in shaping the future of Bangladesh’s startup scene.

Over the past six months, from September 2024 to January 2025, Startup Bangladesh Ltd. has made investments and follow-on funding into nine promising startups, further strengthening the local ecosystem. These investments span various industries keeping social and environmental impact in focus, from digital services and edtech to travel tech, robotics, and distribution management. Ten Minute School Ltd.: A pioneering EdTech platform, Sheba Platform Ltd.: A leading digital services platform and ShareTrip: Revolutionizing the travel tech space received follow on investments in the past 6 months.

Startup Bangladesh Ltd. made new investments in early stage startups including impact investments; ParentsCare Ltd.: Providing healthcare services for elderly parents, Dubotech Digital Ltd.: A growing underwater robotics company, Sokrio Technologies Ltd.: A distribution management system for retail brands in Bangladesh, English Champ Ltd., an EdTech platform focused on English language learning for children, Area71 Venture Ltd.: An authorized Amazon SPN partner offering courses on Amazon FBA and Booktionary Ltd.; an online book selling platform.

Startup Bangladesh Ltd.’s mission is not just about financial support but about creating a holistic ecosystem where startups can scale and succeed. A key focus is the establishment of the Fund of Funds, a transformative initiative that is set to accelerate investment into the local ecosystem. In the past few months Startup Bangladesh Ltd. has been actively exploring the opportunities with a development partner to set up this Fund of Funds, which is expected to unlock substantial additional capital, driving further growth and innovation within the ecosystem. This initiative will build on existing efforts, providing startups with enhanced opportunities to scale effectively while prioritizing funding for diverse and impactful projects in sectors like fintech, edtech, healthcare, and beyond. The launch of this initiative is expected to be announced in the coming months.
By catalyzing private and public sector partnerships, Startup Bangladesh Ltd. aims to significantly increase the capital available to early-stage companies, while also providing them with a broader range of support, including mentorship, strategic guidance, and global networking opportunities. This initiative aligns with the goal of ensuring that Bangladesh’s startups are not just competing locally but are equipped to thrive on the global stage.

A unique feature of Startup Bangladesh Ltd.’s investment approach is its commitment to social impact. While financial returns are important, Startup Bangladesh Ltd. also evaluates the social and environmental impact of the startups it invests in. The goal is to ensure that each investment not only drives economic value but also creates positive change in society. Startup Bangladesh Ltd. aims to continue supporting ventures that contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and create scalable solutions to pressing issues such as education, healthcare, and financial inclusion. By integrating impact alongside financial success, Startup Bangladesh Ltd. ensures that the startup ecosystem grows in a way that is both economically prosperous and socially responsible.

“At Startup Bangladesh Ltd., our commitment extends beyond just funding; we are focused on building a thriving startup ecosystem that empowers entrepreneurs to lead the way in innovation. By strategically investing in promising startups, ensuring sustainable development of the ecosystem and advocating for enabling policies, we aim to create an environment that nurtures sustainable growth and accelerates the country’s journey toward becoming a global hub for digital innovation and entrepreneurship. The establishment of a Fund of Funds will be a game-changer for our ecosystem, further enhancing the flow of capital and resources to fuel innovation across Bangladesh.” said Shish Haider Chowdhury, NDC, Chairman, Board of Directors, Startup Bangladesh Ltd. and Secretary, ICT Division.

Sami Ahmed, Managing Director of Startup Bangladesh Ltd., shared his vision:
“Startup Bangladesh Limited is committed to empowering the nation’s youth to become tomorrow’s visionary startup leaders. While young entrepreneurs in Bangladesh possess innovative ideas, access to funding remains a significant hurdle. To address this, we are introducing a Fund of Funds to build a robust VC ecosystem.
In February, we will host the Divisional Youth Startup Summit to inspire the youth about startups, and soon, the Bangladesh Startup Summit will follow to attract international investors. These initiatives will provide startups with capital, mentorship, and global networking opportunities, enabling them to transform bold ideas into impactful solutions.
By fostering innovation in the startup sector, we aim to drive economic growth and inspire a new era of socially responsible entrepreneurship. Through these efforts, Startup Bangladesh is paving the way for a dynamic ecosystem, positioning Bangladesh as a global hub for digital innovation while empowering the youth to shape the future with transformative solutions.”

As Startup Bangladesh Ltd. continues to expand its support for high-potential startups, the focus remains on creating a sustainable and inclusive ecosystem. By continuing to invest in cutting-edge ventures and pushing forward initiatives like the Fund of Funds, Startup Bangladesh Ltd. is poised to help foster a thriving innovation landscape that will elevate Bangladesh’s position as a global leader in digital entrepreneurship.

With more investments and initiatives on the horizon, Startup Bangladesh Ltd. is excited to watch its portfolio companies scale new heights and contribute to Bangladesh’s growing prominence on the global stage.

For more information, visit https://www.startupbangladesh.vc/