The Bangabandhu Innovation Grant 2023 was launched by the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Academy Establishment Project (iDEA) of Bangladesh Computer Council under the Department of Information and Communication Technology, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on Thursday, (6 April 2023) at the Modern Language Institute Auditorium of the Dhaka University, the (BIG) 2023 Dhaka University Activation Campaign was organized.
Dhaka University Entrepreneurship Development Club (DUEDC) organized this event which was chaired by the iDEA Project Project Director and Joint Secretary Md. Altaf Hossain. Dhaka University Marketing Department Associate Professor Dr. Rafiuddin Ahmed was present as a special guest. Siddharth Goswami, Chief Coordinator of BIG 2023 and Senior Consultant of iDEA Project, offered a presentation on BIG 2023 in the said campaign.
The iDEA Project Project Director and Joint Secretary Md. Altaf Hossain highlighted the various activities of the iDEA Project. He said that Bangladesh is moving towards the goal of becoming Smart Bangladesh by 2041 and iDEA project is playing an important role in that journey. He said that iDEA is running a campaign to support entrepreneurs across Bangladesh. He also said that iDEA project is supporting not only grant but also mentoring, training, networking etc. Finally, he thanked everyone for participating in the BIG 2023 activation campaign.
While speaking as the special guest, Professor Dr. Rafiuddin Ahmed inspired the youth to take up new initiatives. He said that most startups fail due to lack of proper management of startups. He said that the journey of entrepreneurs in Bangladesh has started in the last few years which has not been seen in the last 50 years. He also said that the youth of Bangladesh are currently creating new innovations through the use of technology which is a matter of great pride.
Sohag Chandra Das, Associate Coordinator of BIG 2023 and iDEA Project Communications Consultant, Abul Kalam Ehsanul Azad, iDEA Project Consultant and Technology Associate Coordinator of BIG 2023, IT Service and Support Consultant Md. Mominul Islam and various officials of government and private organizations were present on the occasion.
This largest initiative for entrepreneurs and startups in the country is being organized by the iDEA project since 2019 to facilitate the journey of young generation, innovators, entrepreneurs or startups. In continuation of this, after the successful organization of 2021, BIG is being organized for the third time in 2023. Those interested in this competition can apply online (www.big.gov.bd) with their ICT based initiatives by 22 April 2023.
The top 51 startups will be selected after a three-day bootcamp by selecting potential applications. Later, at the final stage, the best startup will be given a grant of taka 1 crore according to the experienced judges. Each of the remaining 50 startups will be given a grant of taka 10 lakh. Also, BIG 2023 offers various opportunities including investment, special honor certificate, mentoring for startups. BIG is a unique initiative for young, innovative university students and people from all walks of life with the motto “DARE TO STAND BIG.”
The spontaneous participation of more than two hundred students from different schools, colleges and universities in addition to Dhaka University in this activation campaign held at Dhaka University premises is undoubtedly an expression of the enthusiasm of the young generation around BIG 2023.