Adviser directs cancellation of allocations for irregular startups

Alongside cancelling allocations for irregular startups, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Principal Adviser in charge of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, has issued directives to ensure that new and eligible startups have access to co-working spaces.

He gave the directives as part of a new initiative under the Innovation and Entrepreneur Development Academy (IDEA) Project, managed by the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) under the Information and Communication Technology Division, aimed at promoting innovative ventures and the growth of young entrepreneurs in Bangladesh.

A press release from the ministry highlighted that the adviser emphasised proper, transparent and effective use of government resources.

According to the release, after implementing the new co-working space policy, the IDEA Project’s operations have become more dynamic. Allocations for new startups have been made in six special committee meetings to date. Out of a total of 51 desks, 33 have been allocated, while the application process for the remaining 18 desks is ongoing. Unused desks will be allocated promptly after verification.

The modern co-working space, located in Agargaon, Dhaka, provides a creative and innovative environment for entrepreneurs. Startups are offered six months of free office space, high-speed internet, meeting and conference rooms, monitoring and corporate networking facilities, and special access to the IDEA Lab.

The entire application and allocation process is fully online. Interested entrepreneurs must apply via the IDEA Project’s official website idea.gov.bd. Applicants are required to submit copies of their trade licence/BIN, TIN certificate, founder’s NID/passport, and any relevant agreement if grants are awarded.

Only technology-based innovative startups are eligible to apply for this co-working space. The IDEA Project authorities believe this initiative will open new horizons for the innovative thinking, collaboration, and technology-driven business development of the country’s young entrepreneurs.