Top 10 innovators to receive Tk 100,000

The three-day Bangladesh Innovation Fair 2026 has begun at Novo Theatre in Bijoy Sarani, Dhaka, with a clear roadmap to build a trillion-dollar economy through technological research, commercialization of scientific ideas and a national innovation ecosystem. The fair focuses on strengthening the path from research to innovation and from innovation to market, supporting Bangladesh’s transition toward a knowledge-driven economy.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended the inaugural session as the chief guest on Saturday, September 12. Science and Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Dr. M Moinul Islam, and Prime Minister’s Adviser on the relevant matters Rehan Asif Asad attended the event as special guests. The session was chaired by Dr. A S M Saifullah, President of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Scientists Association (BAESA).

Science and Technology Secretary Anwar Hossain said the top 10 innovators selected at the fair would receive Tk 100,000 each as seed funding, while every participating innovator would receive Tk 10,000 as a financial incentive.

He said science creates knowledge, technology builds capability and innovation generates economic prosperity. He called for a stronger pathway from research to innovation and commercialization to ensure sustainable social transformation.

Dr. Muhammad Anisuzzaman Talukder, the first Bangladeshi UNESCO Chair and Professor at BUET, presented the keynote paper titled “Sustainable Innovation Ecosystem and Trillion-Dollar Economy.” UNESCO identifies him as the UNESCO Chair on Industry Integration in Higher Education Systems at BUET, while BUET also lists him as the Chairholder of the programme.

In his paper, Dr. Talukder highlighted Bangladesh’s historical achievements in knowledge and innovation, including the intellectual legacy of Somapura Mahavihara, muslin and the modern discovery of the genetic secrets of jute. However, he said Bangladesh remains behind in contemporary patents and research.

He cited South Korea as an example, saying the country files around 200,000 patents annually and ranks fourth in the global innovation index. Bangladesh, in contrast, files only 87 patents, placing the country 106th globally, according to figures presented in his paper.

Dr. Talukder said there is no alternative to a knowledge economy in the “Bangladesh 3.0” era that began in 2025. To achieve the government’s target of a trillion-dollar economy by 2034, Bangladesh needs to raise annual GDP growth to 8 percent and foreign direct investment to 2.5 percent, he said.

He stressed that Bangladesh should not rely only on startups or students. Instead, industries in high-value segments such as pharmaceuticals, electronics and semiconductors should be directly involved in the innovation process.

He also emphasized structural economic transformation through technology transfer and stronger links among research, industry and markets. The presentation also highlighted the activities of Sadaf Saaz Siddiqui, founder of pharmaceutical-sector startup EskeGen Ltd.

According to the fair’s organizing committee under the Ministry of Science and Technology, a total of 671 innovation projects were submitted for the event. Following screening and evaluation, 50 projects were selected for exhibition.

Earlier, organizers said the September 12–14 fair at Novo Theatre aims to bring innovators, researchers, universities, industries, investors and policymakers onto a common platform and connect innovation with practical applications and markets.

The broader initiative is built around the “Innovate to Market” concept—moving innovations beyond laboratories and prototypes by connecting them with industry, investment and markets to create useful products and services for people.
//DBTech/SSC/SME/FEC//