Nat'l Startup, Entrepreneurship Platform to be launched at youth innovation event

DHAKA, July 12, 2026 (BSS) - Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division will launch a "National Startup and Entrepreneurship Platform" at a special programme on July 14, as part of its efforts to strengthen the country's startup ecosystem and promote innovation-driven economic growth.

The event, titled "Youth, Startups and Bangladesh of Possibilities", will be held at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University, said a press release today.

It is aimed at turning young people's innovative ideas into business ventures, creating technology-based employment, encouraging research and innovation, and supporting the development of a knowledge-based economy.

The National Startup and Entrepreneurship Platform will function as a digital launchpad, allowing entrepreneurs to access government support programmes, application procedures, training, mentoring, investment opportunities, partner organisations and other related services through a single online platform.

According to the ICT Division, the initiative is designed to improve coordination among entrepreneurship support programmes, simplify access to services and help build a stronger, more inclusive and sustainable national startup ecosystem.

The programme will also present the full journey of a startup, from idea generation and prototype development to entrepreneurial training, investment, business scale-up and opportunities to enter global markets.

It is also intended to bring together young people, students, researchers, innovators, women entrepreneurs, investors and industry stakeholders on a common platform.

The ICT Division said it has been implementing integrated programmes to support entrepreneurs throughout their business journey, including training, mentoring, grants, financing, investment linkage and business expansion.

The division said developing a new generation of entrepreneurs by harnessing the innovative potential of youth and women has become a national priority.

The Election Manifesto of the BNP government has given special importance to startup and entrepreneurship development and that a Taka 500 crore Startup Fund has already been established to support promising entrepreneurs and finance innovative initiatives.

Calling on young people to pursue innovation, the ICT Division said today's innovative idea could become the foundation of a world-class Bangladeshi enterprise in the future. It also urged entrepreneurs to use the integrated National Startup and Entrepreneurship Platform to help turn their ideas into successful ventures.