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Japan Bangladesh IT Associate (JBITA)is organizing the Bangladeshi IT Engineer Summit in Tokyo-2023 to with an objective to create meaningful networking among Japanese IT companies Leaders, entrepreneurs and Bangladeshi IT Professionals in Japan and Japanese IT company interested to work with Bangladeshi/Bangladesh and explore your Opportunities for further collaboration between the two nations. This initiative is supported By, Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo, JETRO, BASIS

Program Details:

・Program Name： Bangladeshi IT Engineer Summit in Tokyo-2023
・Program Date: 12th December (Tuesday) 17:00 to 20:00
・Organized by: Japan Bangladesh IT Associate (JBITA), Supported By, Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo, JETRO,BASIS
・Place: 9F Kudan Southside Square, 1-5-5 Kudan-Minami, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo https://maps.app.goo.gl/hPvKevXV6d6CS6vz8
・Participants : Bangladeshi IT Professionals in Japan and Japanese IT company interested to work with Bangladeshi/Bangladesh
・Fee: Free
・Bilingual support : Yes (By Pocketalk)
Program Details:
◆Remark from Guests/Panel discussion: (Part One 17:00 to 18:00)
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・Opening remarks
Mr. Anjan Das, CEO Kaicom Group, (President, JBITA)
・Remarks form Guest,
Mr. Yuji Ando, Chief Representative, JETRO Dhaka (Language: Japanese)
Mr. Russel T. Ahamed, President, BASIS (Language: English, Recorded/Online)
Mr. Sami Ahmed MD& CEO Startup Bangladesh Limited
H.E. Mr. Shahabuddin Ahmed. Honorable Ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan.( Language: English)
Mr. Zunaid Ahmed Palak, MP, Honorable State Minister, ICT Division, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.( Language: English)
・Panel discussion :
What would be the challenges and possible collaboration between Japan and Bangladesh IT industry?
Moderated by Mr. Nakasone, CEO, Sun Co. Ltd. (Vice President, JBITA) (Language: Japanese)
Participants:Bangladeshi IT engineers
・Closing remarks
Mr. Rejwanur Kabir, COO, Destiny Inc (Corporate Member , JBITA) (Language: Japanese)
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◆Free Discussion/Dinner Meeting　(Part Two 18:00 to 20:00)

Further details: Facebook Event Page

We are thrilled to announce that Startup Bangladesh Limited (SBL) has entered into a strategic partnership with Smart Bangladesh Accelerator (SBA), a program under the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority. This partnership is poised to revolutionize the startup landscape in Bangladesh and propel innovation to new heights!
As SBA’s Exclusive Strategic Partner, SBL is dedicated to nurturing the growth and success of startups across the nation. Together, we are committed to fostering innovation, cultivating entrepreneurship, and building a thriving ecosystem for startups in Bangladesh.

Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting journey!

Startup Bangladesh Limited, the country’s first venture capital fund by the government and Visa, signed a Memorandum of Understanding recently, said a press release.

The MoU signed to develop an effective and innovative financial inclusion and digital eco-system in Bangladesh.

Startup Bangladesh Limited managing director Sami Ahmed, Visa country manager of Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan Soumya Basu and senior officials from the respective organizations attended the program.

It is expected that this endeavor would provide an important platform for the startup ecosystem of Bangladesh and contribute to the Government’s Smart Bangladesh initiative.

Under this MoU both parties will collaborate with each other in bringing Visa’s Fintech Fast Track Program to Bangladesh and engaging growth stage fintechs, and the Visa Ready certification program to enable fintechs and start-ups to launch innovative payment solutions in the market.

It will also provide technical assistance and access to different workshops by Visa subject matter experts, access to Visa Development Platform APIs and the Visa Developer Sandbox that allows fintechs and start-ups to experiment and create new payment solutions.

This program with Visa will further explore partnerships and collaboration opportunities for mutually beneficial fintech and start-up initiatives and events in Bangladesh.

Startup Bangladesh and Visa will further strengthen cooperation through knowledge partnership including research and knowledge sharing in the areas of common interest.

Startup Bangladesh is the flagship venture capital company of ICT Division.

Under the visionary guidance of prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Startup Bangladesh is the first and only venture capital fund sponsored by the government of Bangladesh started its journey in March 2020 with an allocated capital of Tk 500 crore.

In this effort to enable the nation to innovate faster, Startup Bangladesh has decided to partner with Visa, a world leader in digital payments and innovation present across more than 200 countries and territories in the world, to build a world class startup ecosystem in Bangladesh.

In the mission to build a ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041, startups will be crucial in identifying and developing solutions that meet the market’s needs. Fintech companies will be particularly instrumental in achieving the government’s objective of a cashless society. By combining the expertise of both organizations, I believe that the partnership between Startup Bangladesh and Visa will make a remarkable impact in building a digital economy,’ said Zunaid Ahmed Palak, on the occasion.

‘Our country’s transformation will continue with the help of a strong startup ecosystem and we may eventually realize our shared vision of a Smart Bangladesh. Startup Bangladesh is devotedly working to develop a venture capital ecosystem in the nation by giving early-stage and growth-stage entrepreneurs mentorship. We align with Visa, who likewise wants to give this development all the support it needs to continue’, said Sami Ahmed

Soumya Basu said, ‘We are delighted to partner with Startup Bangladesh and bring the best of Visa programs, initiatives and expertise to the startups and fintechs in Bangladesh. We remain committed to enhancing the payments ecosystem and working with our partners to strengthen and build the potential of fintechs in the country.’

Source: https://www.newagebd.net

The government made a partnership with the Institute Business Administration of Dhaka University to provide training to the startups to develop them as sustainable startup entrepreneurs.

As part of it, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the World Bank financed Enhancing Digital Government and Economy Project of Bangladesh Computer Council and Startup Bangladesh Limited on Sunday at the conference room of BCC to provide training to 500 startup founders through IBA, said a press release.

Startup Bangladesh managing director Sami Ahmed and project director of EDGE Muhammed Mehedi Hassan put initials on the MoU on behalf of their respective sides.— BSS

Source: https://www.newagebd.net/

The meeting was chaired by Mr. N M Zeaul Alam PAA, Senior Secretary, ICT Division & Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. Mr. Md. Moinul Kabir, Secretary, Legislative Division; Mr. Md. Shamsul Arefin, Secretary, Coordination & Reforms, Cabinet Division; Mr. Ranajit Kumar, Executive Director, Bangladesh Computer Council; Mr. Md. Saidur Rahman, Additional Secretary, Finance Division and Mr. Sami Ahmed, Managing Director, Startup Bangladesh Limited were present in the meeting as member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Amal Krishna Mandal, Additional Secretary, Financial Institution Division and Mr. Md. A. Razzaque Sarker, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration were present in the meeting as Shareholder of the Company. Company’s Head of Portfolio Investment Mr. Hasan A. Arif, Company Secretary Mr. ABM Monirul Islam and Financial Controller Ms. Mohsena Khanom FCCA were also present in the meeting. All resolutions were adopted by majority votes from the Board of the Directors and the Shareholders.

On October 25th, Startup Bangladesh Limited, the country’s first USD 65 million flagship venture capital fund by the Government of Bangladesh, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with LightCastle Partners, a leading management consultancy firm in Bangladesh – to promote the budding startup ecosystem and attract investments in the Bangladesh startup ecosystem.

“A thriving startup ecosystem in Bangladesh will ensure that our nation continues its digital transformation journey so that we can eventually achieve our collective dream of a Smart Bangladesh. Startup Bangladesh is working relentlessly to flourish a venture capital ecosystem in the country by providing necessary support to early-stage and growth-stage startups. This is where we align with LightCastle Partners, which also aims to provide all the necessary support to enable this trend going forward.”, shared Mr. Sami Ahmed, Managing Director of Startup Bangladesh Limited.

With consistent and stable economic growth and favorable demographic dividend, Bangladesh is essentially the ‘seeding fertile ground for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)’. Bangladesh entering the 21st century on the back of the manufacturing and servicing industry, economic progression (soon to be a middle-income country and 30th largest economy), record foreign exchange reserve, transfer of commercial leaderships (intergenerational), nascent innovation/startup ecosystem, and an alternative investment rule; makes us an ideal country to test, invent and attract FDI.

Mr. Bijon Islam, Co-Founder and CEO of LightCastle Partners expressed “We are avid believers and supporters of the Bangladesh growth story, and our ambition is to catalyze more investments into the startup ecosystem to help the startups disrupt innovations, create meaningful impact and deliver the economic drive. We envision this partnership with Startup Bangladesh Limited will enable us to promote our ecosystem more accurately and powerfully to global investors and stakeholders.“

Under this partnership, Startup Bangladesh Limited and LightCastle Partners will jointly identify engagement opportunities and collaborate together to highlight the local startup ecosystem through Knowledge Products, Startup Dealbooks, Investor Roadshows, Showcasing Events, and Promotional Activities.

Apart from the partnership, LightCastle Partners is also the buy-side investment advisor of Startup Bangladesh Limited. Till now, Startup Bangladesh Limited has disbursed over USD 4 million to over 15 notable startups in the country, with the ambition to disburse BDT 100 crore to 50 startups by 2023.

Source: https://www.lightcastlebd.com/news/startup-bangladesh-limited-signs-mou-with-lightcastle-partners/

Dhaka, 16 March 2022: Startup Bangladesh, a flagship venture capital fund of ICT Division will give Taka 17 Crore to the country’s 8 startups under an initiative `Shotobarshe Shoto Asha’, launched earlier marking birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of independence of Bangladesh.

With this second series of investments a total of Taka 34 crore were given to 15 startups so far to scale up their products and services and improve their qualities. Startup Bangladesh will give Taka 100 crore 50 startups to create entrepreneurs and employment in the country.

The announcement to give Taka 17 crore to 8 startups came at the second investment announcement ceremony under the initiative- `Shotobarshe Shoto Asha’ organized by Startup Bangladesh at BCC auditorium, Agargaon today.

Presided over by Managing Director of Startup Bangladesh Sami Ahmed, the function was addressed among others by State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, H.E. Mustafa Osman Turan, Ambassador of Turkey to Bangladesh, Dr. Md Abdul Mannan PAA, Executive Director, Bangladesh Computer Council, Dr. Khandoker Azizul Islam,

Joint Secretary, ICT Division, Wahid Sharif President, BACCO.

The 8 companies and their startups are: 10 Minute School (edutech), Frontier Nutrition (food manufacture/nutrition), Hello Task (Consumer Service), iFarmer (agritech), Loop (logistics & supply chain management), Shuttle (transportation), Truck Lagbe (logistics & supply chain management), Zantrik (automotives).

Addressing as chief guest Zunaid Ahmed Palak said the government has been encouraging young talents to come up with quality and sustainable startups to develop a culture of innovation and startups.

“It (government) undertakes various initiatives including framing policies, formation of Startup Bangladesh venture capital fund and allocation of Taka 500 crore for it for flourishing startups,” he said adding with these initiatives a startup ecosystem has been developed in the country.

“Young Entrepreneurs & innovators are the pioneers in building the Digital Bangladesh and government has made youth Entrepreneurship agenda as one of the top priorities in its policies for future,” the ICT state minister said

He said the startups could play a vital role in addressing the market needs, which will serve as the foundation for far-reaching consequences in the GDP’s overall growth.

Dr. Md Abdul Mannan PAA, said the government’s various efforts will enable the nation to innovate faster, create new jobs, develop technical skills, and realize the goals of vision 2041. “We now want to put emphasize on building digital economy by flourishing ICT sector to help turn Bangladesh into a develop country 2041,” he said.

Mr. Sami Ahmed, Managing Director, Startup Bangladesh Limited added that Bangladesh holds the most promising opportunity for venture capital and private equity investments for Startup Industry in the region & that Startup Bangladesh Limited is committed towards fostering Entrepreneurship & build a sustainable Startup Ecosystem to position Bangladesh as the next Startup Hub of this region.

He also added that Startup Bangladesh will look forward to investing in Bangladeshi born seed to growth level Startups that has the potential to bring positive impact in the economy of Bangladesh.