Dhaka, January 29, 2026 | Bangladesh’s vision for building a resilient, future-ready ICT startup ecosystem took center stage today at the Digital Device & Innovation Expo 2026, with a high-level seminar titled “Building a Sustainable ICT Startup Ecosystem: Opportunities and Challenges” held at Windy Town, Bangladesh–China Friendship International Conference Center (BCFCC).
The session was organized under the leadership of the ICT Division and brought together policymakers, founders, investors, and ecosystem enablers to reflect on the next phase of Bangladesh’s digital and entrepreneurial journey.
The seminar featured a keynote presentation by Nurul Hai, Managing Director & CEO of Startup Bangladesh, who highlighted both the progress made and the structural priorities required to sustain momentum in the coming years.
A Turning Point for Startup Financing and Ecosystem Maturity
In his keynote, Nurul Hai noted that while global and local startup funding moderated in the post-COVID period, 2025 marked a strategic recovery phase, setting the stage for accelerated growth in 2026–27. He emphasized that future investments will be driven not only by capital availability but by stronger governance, investment readiness, and repeatable startup pipelines.
“The strength of a sustainable ecosystem lies not in one successful year or one unicorn story,” he said, “but in our ability to consistently convert ideas into scalable, investment-ready startups through strong teams, credible market access, and predictable exit pathways.”
A major highlight of the presentation was the role of the Fund of Funds initiative, described as a potential game-changer that can empower local investors, crowd in private capital, and strengthen confidence across the ecosystem.
Why ICT Startups Matter for Bangladesh
The discussion underscored that ICT startups are no longer niche ventures but a national productivity engine, particularly for a country with over 187 million mobile subscribers and nearly 130 million internet users. From fintech and logistics to aggrotech, health tech, EdTech, and AI-enabled services, ICT startups are increasingly positioned to drive inclusive growth, job creation, and digital public service delivery.
Nurul Hai highlighted opportunity areas where Bangladeshi startups are well placed to compete, including embedded finance, mobility and logistics, enterprise SaaS, climate and energy tech, and cross-border digital trade.
Leadership, Dialogue, and Ecosystem Voices
The session was presided over by Shish Haider Chowdhury, ndc, Secretary of the ICT Division and Chairman of Startup Bangladesh, reaffirming the government’s commitment to policy support, infrastructure development, and long-term ecosystem building.
The panel discussion featured leading voices from Bangladesh’s startup landscape, including:
- Fahim Mashroor, Managing Director, Bdjobs.com
- Sadia Haque, Co-Founder & CEO, ShareTrip
- Shahir Chowdhury, CEO, Shikho
- Bijon Islam, CEO, Light Castle Partners
- Fahim Ahmed, CEO, Pathao Bangladesh
- Waseem Alim, CEO, Chaldal
Panelists shared practical insights on scaling challenges, access to capital, talent development, governance readiness, and the importance of building trust between founders and investors.
Looking Ahead: A Stronger, Smarter Innovation Future
Bangladesh’s ICT startup ecosystem is entering a new phase of growth-one defined by expansion with discipline. The years ahead are expected to see a broader base of startups, increased investor participation, and renewed momentum in 2026-27. While investments are likely to be more cautious, stricter due diligence and stronger governance will help elevate the overall quality, credibility, and resilience of the ecosystem.
The ICT Division (ICTD) remains deeply committed to this journey. Through forward-looking startup policies, the Fund of Funds initiative, Startup Hub, and continued infrastructure, mentoring, and investment support-implemented under the stewardship of Startup Bangladesh; the focus is on unlocking capital, strengthening investor confidence, and building a repeatable pipeline of investment-ready startups.
Together, these efforts are shaping an ecosystem that is sustainable, innovation-led, and globally competitive, positioning Bangladesh for a brighter digital future.