The Innovation Design and Entrepreneurship Academy (iDEA) Project of Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) under the ICT Division organized a workshop with the startups of the project at the iDEA Office at ICT Tower, Agargaon, Dhaka on Monday 18 April 2022. The workshop, titled “iDEA Portfolio Startup’s Lesson and Way Forward”, was participated by the founders of 18 emerging startups from the iDEA Project-funded startups. At the workshop, startups highlighted their achievements, business status, limitations, challenges, etc., since receiving their grants. At the same time, the iDEA Project receives important suggestions from startups on building a startup ecosystem that will play a key role in the future development of startups.
The Senior Secretary of the ICT Division Mr. N M Zeaul Alam was present as the Chief Guest at the program. The Executive Director (Grade-1) of BCC Dr. Md. Abdul Mannan, was present as the special guest. The program was chaired by the Project Director (Joint Secretary) of the iDEA Project Mr. Md. Altaf Hossain. Among others the Deputy Project Director (Deputy Secretary) Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman including the iDEA project’s Consultants and officials took part in this workshop. The ceremony was conducted by the Sr. Consultant and Operation Specialist of the iDEA project Mr. Siddhartho Goushami.
The Senior Secretary of the ICT Division Mr. N M Zeaul Alam said that startups have a role to play in building Smart Bangladesh. He said that today’s youth are our strength. He added that it would be easier to build a strong startup ecosystem in Bangladesh if the young entrepreneur could be made more efficient by increasing their capacity. Finally, he thanked the startups for participating in the program.
The Executive Director of BCC Dr. Md. Abdul Mannan said that the youth of Bangladesh are providing services not only in the country but all over the world which is a matter of real pride for us. He added that if the goal is right, it is possible to turn from a small startup into a large company. Therefore, development activities for the welfare of entrepreneurs will continue.
Speaking on the program, the Project Director of the iDEA Project Mr. Md. Altaf Hossain said that there are some special qualities in a skilled and successful entrepreneur through which he can be distinguished from others. He further said that although the entrepreneur is born with some of his own qualities, he becomes richer through education, experience, training, counseling, etc. As a result, the path to success of that startup or its entrepreneurial journey becomes easier. And with these issues in mind, the iDEA Project has undertaken different support activities including providing grants to startups as well as mentoring, training, and workshops that will continue to do so in the future.
