Innovation Design and Entrepreneurship Academy (iDEA) project of Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) has run a campus activation of Bangabandhu Innovation Grant (BIG) programme at North South University (NSU).
NSU pro-vice chancellor Prof Ismail Hossain was the chief guest while iDEA project director Altaf Hossain presided over the campaign programme of SSU Startup Next on Wednesday.
NSU’s school of business and economics dean Prof Helal Ahmed, school of engineering and physical science dean Prof Javed Bari were special guests on the occasion. NSU Startup Next director Prof Shazzad Hosain made an address of welcome.
Addressing the function, NSU pro-vice chancellor Prof Ismail Hossain said the startups will contribute to the progress of prosperous Bangladesh by 2041 if the innovators get support now.
In his speech, project director and joint secretary Altaf Hossain emphasised on promotion of young innovators to penetrate local and foreign investment in the growing technology sector.
The iDEA project senior consultant Siddhartho Goswami shared about the third edition of BIG in this year.
“Three university clubs will be recognised as best while 10 clubs will participate in grand finale directly,” he said.
The BIG authority plans to select 300 innovative startups at the initial stage among the applications received. Later, a 3-day boot camp will be organised with the selected top startups. This boot camp includes day-long workshops, mentoring, pitching etc. with startups.
The top 51 startups of “BIG 2023” will be selected from the most promising startups of the boot camp, and the final round of BIG will be organized with the best 5 startups selected among them.
From this final round, a selection panel consisting of experienced judges will select the final result of this grand event. Registration will open at big.gov.bd till April 22.