Bangladesh Startup Summit aims to build higher level startup ecosystem

//www.startupsummit.gov.bd/

The Bangladesh Startup Summit is going to be organised with an aim to take the country’s startup ecosystem to a higher level compared to the other South Asian countries.

Startup Bangladesh Limited, the flagship venture capital company of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division, will organise the two-day ‘Bangladesh Startup Summit 2024’, under the theme of 'Smart Bangladesh: Endless Possibilities'.

The summit is scheduled to be held for the second time on July 27-28 at hotel Intercontinental Dhaka which the organisers hope would be a ‘landmark event to take Bangladesh's startup ecosystem to a higher level among the fastest growing potential markets in Asia’, says a press release from the ICT Division.

“The two-day event is expected to host a good number of local and foreign startups, enterprises, venture capitalists, angel investors, regulatory bodies, think tanks and industry experts,” said State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak at a press conference organised at the Bangladesh Computer Council Auditorium at the ICT Tower in Agargaon on Sunday (July 14).

Observing that startup or entrepreneurial culture can play a big role in the economy and internal development of a country, the state minister said, “Since 2010, more than 2,500 successful startups have been created in Bangladesh, some having several billion-dollar valuations. Those startups have created about 1.5 million jobs besides contributing to the country's economy.”

The state minister said, “From Intel to Open AI, investment in startups in Silicon Valley or any other country in the world is based on intellectual valuation. But in our country, there is no such investment culture in practice. Therefore, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina established 'Startup Bangladesh Limited' venture capital company on the advice of her ICT advisor Sajeeb Wazed Joy, paving the way to benefits beyond imagination for our young generation. This model is now universally recognized as a unique one.”

He said, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has opened the horizon of infinite and immense possibilities for the young generation of Bangladesh. Under her dynamic leadership in the last 15 years, the logistics readiness, that has been created in our air, road, sea, rail and internet connectivity, can create several thousand more startups.”

Mentioning that we still have many potentials including health, agriculture, entertainment and education sectors, he further said that if the potentials can be exploited, several billion dollar unicorns can be created from Bangladesh in the next few years.

Presided over by Sami Ahmed, managing director of Startup Bangladesh Limited, the press briefing was also addressed, among others, by Secretary of ICT Division and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Startup Bangladesh Limited Md Samsul Arefin, Managing Director of Windmill Advertising Limited Sabbir Rahman Tanim, Managing Director of Asiatic Mindshare Limited Morshed Alam and Managing Partner Tasnuva Ahmed Tina, and CEO & Co-Founder of Ami Prabasi Limited Namir Ahmed Nuri.

According to the organisers, the two-day summit will host more than 55 venture capital and investment firms as well as a large number of angel investors, startup enthusiasts and international startups. The participation of dignitaries like Mayank, MD of India's Unicorn Startup Upgrade, and Global Startups of Silicon Valley, is sure to increase the attraction of prominent founders of Bangladeshi startups to be among the key participants. The promise of over 100 eminent speakers from around the world, over 30 engaging sessions will make the event a key event for the regional startup ecosystem.

The summit will have sessions covering important topics like AI & Technology, Startup Education, The Art of Fundraising, FinTech, EdTech, Climate Vulnerability, Impact Investment, Logistics, Mobility & e-Commerce, RMG Showcasing and Food & AgriTech.

There will be showcases, training sessions, policy discussions and networking opportunities for attendees throughout the day. The event will begin with an opening session on Bangladesh Startup Outlook, followed by a discussion on 'Leveraging AI in Bangladesh: Today and the Next Five Years' and the future of AI.

There will be discussions on 'The Art of Fundraising' and 'Future of Learning'. Industry-specific discussions will be held on electric vehicles, agri-tech, health technology innovation and fintech. Startups will have the opportunity to acquire new skills to effectively navigate the startup ecosystem and build AI-enabled tech products. Selected startups will have the opportunity to contact directly with experienced investors, increasing their investment and collaboration potential.

The Startup Bangladesh Limited is organizing the summit, with Signature Sponsor Swiss Embassy, Communication Partner Mindshare, Event Partner Windmill, Ecosystem Enabler Partner Youth CoLab, Hospitality Partner Intercontinental, Knowledge Partner Lightcastle and Registration Partner Sohoz.

For details on 'Bangladesh Startup Summit 2024' and to reserve your seat through registration, visit: https://www.startupsummit.gov.bd/