Startup Bangladesh limited under ICT division has started providing financial assistance of Tk 100 crore to 50 enterprises this year through the project ‘Shotoborshe Shoto Asha’ (Hundred hopes in centenary) to establish technology-based innovative enterprises. Through this financing, Startup Bangladesh officially started its activities as a venture investment company.
State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak inaugurated the event on Wednesday in the conference room of ICT Tower by providing capital assistance of Tk 15 crore to seven start-ups (Chaldal.com, Pathao, Seba XYZ, Intelligence machine, Edu Hive, Dhaka Cast and Moner Bandhu).
“It’s a startup journey,” he said, I am a startup as a young minister. Startup Bangladesh is also a startup. But our startups are already challenging global organizations, he claimed.
Palak aspired that the initiative would take Bangladesh forward in the new global economy, adding that the initiative would create a national entrepreneurial platform in the country. New innovations will speed up the implementation. No potential initiative will fall down. The financial crisis of implementing the initiative will be removed. It will also create new employment. Digital Bangladesh will play an important role in the implementation of the vision through the development of technical skills.
The state minister said the funding of startup Bangladesh is different. No material capital but intellectual properties will be required here.
He also called on young entrepreneurs to create platforms like Zoom, Netflix and YouTube.
Deputy Minister for Education Muhibul Hasan Chowdhury, who was the special guest at the event, said the initiative taken at the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu, the architect of independence, would set an example by adding a different dimension to the traditional venture. He requested that those who are less likely to make a profit should also be given financial assistance.
Parthapratim Deb, Executive Director of Bangladesh Computer Council delivered his welcome speech by joining online.
Tina F. Jabin, Managing Director of Start-Up Bangladesh, expressed her optimism that the ‘Hundred Hopes in centenary’ initiative will take place as a flag-bearing initiative of Bangladesh not only in Bangladesh but in the world.
Joining virtually, Korean company Young One Corporation Chairman and CEO Kihak Sange, US Market Access President Chris Berry, Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mostafa Turan, Light Castle CEO Bijan Islam also spoke on the occasion.
NM Ziaul Alam, Senior Secretary, ICT Department, Board of Startup Bangladesh and other members were also connected online and Juena Aziz, Chief Coordinator, SDG Affairs, Prime Minister’s Office, sent a message of congratulations.
e-Cab President Shami Kaiser, BACCO General Secretary Touhid Hossain, Women and E-Commerce President Nasima Akter Nisha were present among others.
