First Campaign of Bangabandhu Innovation Grant 2023 Held
The Innovation Design and Entrepreneurship Academy (iDEA) Project of Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) under the ICT Division of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh has organised the Bangabandhu Innovation Grant 2023 Activation Campaign at University of Dhaka on Thursday at the Institute of Modern Language Auditorium of University of Dhaka.
The event was organised in association with Dhaka University Entrepreneurship Development Club (DUEDC) where iDEA Project Director and Joint Secretary Md Altaf Hossain presided over the event and Dr Rafiuddin Ahmed, Associate Professor of the Department of Marketing of the University of Dhaka was present as a special guest. Siddhartho Goshwami, Senior Consultant of iDEA project and BIG 2023 Chief Coordinator gave a presentation on BIG 2023 at the event.
The iDEA Project Director and Joint Secretary Md Altaf Hossain shared different activities of iDEA project at the program.
He remarked that iDEA project is playing a significant role in Bangladesh's journey towards being a smart Bangladesh by 2041. He said that iDEA has been conducting campaigns in Bangladesh to assist the entrepreneurs. Apart from providing grants, iDEA project provides support through mentoring, training, networking and more. He conveyed earnest gratitude to the participants of the Activation Campaign and concluded his speech.
Special guest Dr Rafiuddin Ahmed encouraged youth entrepreneurs to come up with innovative initiatives. He said that startups fail due to the lack of efficient management.
He also said that Bangladesh has seen an incredible rise in the number of entrepreneurs recently that has not been seen in the previous 50 years. He added that, Bangladesh has been innovating new ideas using technology which is commendable.
The iDEA Project Communications Consultant and Associate Coordinator of BIG 2023 Sohag Chandra Das, iDEA Project Consultant and BIG 2023 Technology Associate Coordinator Abul Kalam Ahsanul Azad, Consultant of IT Help and Support Md. Mominul Islam and others different officials of the government and private institutions were present at the event.
With the view to expediting the path of youth entrepreneurs of Bangladesh, iDEA project has been organizing the biggest initiative "BIG" for the country's entrepreneurs since 2019. Followed by the success in 2019, the BIG was organized for the second time in 2021 and, consequently, BIG is returning for the third time in 2023. The interested applicants can apply online (www.big.gov.bd ) with their ICT based initiatives within 22 April 2023.
A 3-day bootcamp will be held after selecting the promising startups after which, top 51 startups will be chosen. A selection panel consisting of experienced judges will select the best startup, and it will be awarded a grant of BDT 1 core. The rest of the 50 startups will receive a grant of BDT 10 lakh each.
Besides, there are different opportunities for startups in BIG 2023 including investment, special certificates of appreciation, and mentoring. With the theme "DARE TO STAND BIG", BIG is an unparalleled initiative for young enthusiastic university students who are invigorated by an innovative spirit, as well as for people from all walks of life.
Therefore, the enthusiastic participation of over two hundred students from different schools, colleges, and universities during the activation campaign conducted on the University of Dhaka grounds is an example of the youth's passion for BIG 2023.
