Lamea Tanjin Tanha will go on to represent Bangladesh at the 2021-22 GSEA Global Finals in USA. HE/SHE will be competing against the top student entrepreneurs from around the world in the hopes of winning over US$50,000 in cash and donated prizes.
Entrepreneurs Organization Bangladesh has organized a competition Titled “6th EO Global Student Entrepreneur Awards Bangladesh 2021-22” with Startup Bangladesh Limited working as Strategic Partner. The final day of the program entailed the Grand Finale with Finalists pitching to win with their innovative ideas & a colorful closing ceremony held on the 23rd of February in the ICT Division, Agargaon, Dhaka.
Lamea Tanjin Tanha became the proud winner of the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) National competition, a program of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization. She bested HIS/HER competitors with HIS/HER innovative TransEnd that HE/SHE runs while also attending college.
This local student entrepreneur will go on to represent Bangladesh at the 2021-22 GSEA Global Finals. HE/SHE will be competing against the top student entrepreneurs from around the world in the hopes of winning over US$50,000 in cash and donated prizes.
The Award program is designed to inspire students to start and grow entrepreneurial ventures. In order to qualify for this award contest, an individual has to be an undergraduate student and the owner of a for-profit/social enterprise structured (revenue generating) business that has operated for at least six consecutive months. Five student entrepreneurs from different universities have competed head to head in this finale against each other for this prestigious award.
Mr. Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP, Honorable State Minister for ICT Division, Government of Bangladesh graced the event as Chief Guest. N M Zeaul Alam PAA, Sr. Secretary ICT Division was present as Special guest. MD. Altaf Hossain, Project Director & Joint Secretary, iDEA & Mr. Sami Ahmed, Managing Director, Startup Bangladesh Limited was present as Guest of Honor. Mr. Mike Kazi, EO president & Sharif Zahir, GSEA Chair & Farian Yusuf, President Elect, EO Bangladesh and Vice Chairman Paragon Ceramics Ltd. also spoke at the grand Finale. The jury for the grand finale was Madiha Morshed, Managing Director, Ascent Group, Faatin Haque, Chairperson, Trade Design Solutions Ltd, Hasan A Arif- head of portfolio, Startup Bangladesh, Zareen Mahmud Hosein, Director Shasha Denims Ltd, Asif Zahir, deputy managing director Ananta group.
Speaking as the chief guest, Mr. Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP, Honorable State Minister for ICT Division, said, “Young Entrepreneurs & innovators are the pioneers in building the Digital Bangladesh and Govt has made youth Entrepreneurship agenda as one of the top priorities in its policies for future. We believe by fostering youth entrepreneurship we can ensure the growth of future generations. We believe young innovators & entrepreneurs could play a crucial role in addressing the market needs, which will serve as the foundation for far-reaching consequences in the GDP’s overall growth.”
He also shared that; the Government created a national entrepreneurship platform to support the startup ecosystem. He further added that Startup Bangladesh Ltd. could bridge the gap between the startups and their potentials with required capital financing. He also praised EO Bangladesh for running such a platform to inspire young entrepreneurs.
Mr. N M Zeaul Alam PAA, Sr. Secretary ICT Division commented that, Bangladesh has already made good progress in developing the entrepreneurship & startup ecosystem and vowed to support the ecosystem through strategic coaching and networking through initiatives by ICT Division.
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 partner with EO Bangladesh to work towards building Investor Network that can benefit the Bangladesh Startup Ecosystem
Mr. Mike Kazi, EO president while talking about the growth of ICT Industry in Bangladesh Mr. Mike Kazi said that “It is not often that an entire country is bent towards growth, from the unskilled worker to the skilled workforce to its top leaders and its rare in this world when the innovation is led by the government. Digital Bangladesh has not only been a slogan but a checklist of plans that are getting ticked one after another.” In his speech he also praised all the partners.
Sharif Zahir, GSEA Chair, We received applications from all over Bangladesh and it has been inspiring to listen to the stories and presentations of the contestants whose businesses look beyond generating profit to bring social impact within their communities
