Not only providing grants but also for the benefit of startups to increase their promotion, skills and knowledge, the iDEA project of Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) under the ICT Division has been working since 2016.
In the meantime, iDEA Project is conducting different activities in collaboration with organizations from home and abroad which is playing an important role in building a startup ecosystem in Bangladesh. In order to develop entrepreneurial culture, the iDEA Project is regularly initiating different programs for startups, including many technical and up-to-date training, mentoring, campaigns, awards programs, seminars, workshops and research.
In light of this, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) on Wednesday in the conference room of the iDEA Project of the ICT Division at ICT Tower in the capital.
In the presence of the Senior Secretary of ICT Division N M Zeaul Alam PAA and UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Kazi Shahidullah, the MoU was signed by the Project Director (Joint Secretary) of the iDEA Project Md. Abdur Rakib and UGC Secretary (Additional In-charge) Dr. Ferdous Zaman.
The Executive Director (Additional Secretary) of BCC Dr. Md Abdul Mannan, PAA; UGC Member Professor Dr. Md. Sazzad Hossain; Public Relations and Right to Information Division Director Dr. A K M Shamsul Arefin; iDEA Project's Senior Consultant R H M Alaol Kabir, Legal Consultant Adneen Zereen, Communication Consultant Shohag Chandra Das and other officials of iDEA Project and UGC were present at the time of MOU signing.
According to the MoU, UGC and the iDEA Project will create innovation hubs for the development of entrepreneurs and startups in universities across the country. Industry, Academia and iDEA project will work together for the benefit of entrepreneurs where emerging and promising startups or entrepreneurs will collaborate in a variety of ways, including training, grooming, and funding. In addition, concerned academics, researchers, experienced and skilled individuals in the field of industry and business will be involved as resource persons in this activity. As a result, entrepreneurs will be able to acquire new technology and business knowledge that will enable them to successfully advance their innovations or startups.
In addition, UGC's "Mujib 100 ideas" contest will be held every year from where mentoring and grooming will be provided to the top 100 initiatives through the Innovation Hub. As a result, these startups will be able to reach their seed and growth stage by increasing their knowledge and skills. At the same time, the top 10 startups of the "Mujib 100 Idea" contest will be given a grant of BDT 10 Lac based on the evaluation by the selection committee of the iDEA project.
As a result of these activities, an effective startup ecosystem will be formed in the country which will play a significant role in creating a better business environment in the country in the future, said Senior Secretary of the ICT Division N M Zeaul Alam PAA.
