Startup Showdown: Protesters Demand Removal of Sami Ahmed from Startup Bangladesh
The Bangladesh IT Entrepreneurs Council (BIEUC) held a protest in front of the ICT Tower in Agargaon on Sunday, demanding the removal of Sami Ahmed, Managing Director of Startup Bangladesh. The demonstration, which lasted for about an hour, saw over fifty protesters gathered with placards as part of the “ICT Tower Siege” program.
Following the protest, a memorandum outlining five specific reasons for Ahmed’s removal was submitted to Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser. The memorandum alleged that Sami Ahmed distributed Tk 800 million to 15 startups based on personal interests and political bias, resulting in little to no success in most cases. It also claimed that competitive and qualified startups like Ten Minute School were denied funding. The document referenced a similar protest that took place on March 19, 2025, in front of the National Press Club.
During Sunday’s program, entrepreneurs raised various allegations of corruption and exclusion against Sami Ahmed and expressed frustration over being deprived of fair opportunities. They issued a 24-hour ultimatum, calling for the immediate removal of what they termed the “IT sector’s pirate,” Sami Ahmed, and demanded legal action against all corrupt individuals and advisors involved.
Protesters claimed that “those who served the fascist regime” should no longer remain in power, stating, “Keeping the accomplices of the fascist queen in office is a betrayal to the blood of the martyrs.”
Talha Ibn Alauddin, Convener of BIEUC, presided over the program and warned that if Sami Ahmed is not removed within 24 hours and held accountable, IT entrepreneurs would return to the streets. He further accused ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy and State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak of masterminding corruption and looting in the ICT sector, describing Sami Ahmed as a key collaborator.
Khabeerul Jahan Sajid, Member Secretary of BIEUC, gave the welcome speech. The event was anchored by Co-Convener Abdullah Bin Safir. Other speakers included prominent IT entrepreneurs Mehedi Hasan, Md. Moniruzzaman, senior IT entrepreneur Ahsan Habib, Fauzia Nigar Sultana, and BIEUC Co-Convener Imrul Kayes Parag.
Speakers highlighted that the IT sector contributes billions in remittances each year through entrepreneurs, yet they expressed shame that those opposed to the spirit of August 5th continue to hold power.
Protesters carried placards bearing slogans such as: “My brother is in the grave, why is Sami still in the chair?” “Investment of Tk 1 million, Tk 300,000 commission—Palak-Sami syndicate, enemies of the IT sector,” and “Palak and Sami, brothers in arms—we want to see them together.”
