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