A press conference was held at the Bangladesh Computer Council Auditorium, ICT Tower, Agargaon, Dhaka, where the Honorable State Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, Mr. Zunaid Ahmed Palak, graced the event as the Chief Guest where Startup Bangladesh unveiled the plan for ‘Bangladesh Startup Summit 2024’ scheduled for July 27 and 28.
This year’s summit, themed ‘Smart Bangladesh: Endless Possibilities,’ aims to elevate Bangladesh’s startup ecosystem among Asia’s rapidly growing potential markets. Organized for the second time, the summit is set to bring together key players in the startup industry.
Shamsul Arefin, Secretary of the ICT Division and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Startup Bangladesh Limited, graced the event as the special guest and Sami Ahmed, Managing Director of Startup Bangladesh Limited was present as the Chair of the event. Additionally, from the organizers’ side— Sabbir Rahman Tanim, Managing Director of event partner Windmill Advertising Limited; Morshed Alam, Managing Director; and Tusnuva Ahmed Tina, Managing Partner of communication partner Asiatic Mindshare Limited, along with other key officials, attended the event.
From the powered by Sponsor SBK Tech Ventures— Sonia Bashir Kabir, Founder & Managing Partner and Munjarin Mahbub Abony, CEO of Excelerate Her; from the premium sponsors’— Namir Ahmad Nuri, CEO & Co-Founder and Ahsanul Haque Adnan, Business Operation Lead of Ami Probashi Limited; and Syed Abdullah Jayed, Chief Executive Officer and Syed Abdullah Galib, Chief Strategy Officer of NEXT Ventures were also present in the event.
The event began with a welcome note from Sami Ahmed, followed by Sabbir Rahman Tanim from Windmill sharing detailed insights on the planning and design aspects of the upcoming summit. Information was also shared about the significant VCs and investor organizations from the global startup ecosystem attending the event. Morshed Alam from Mindshare spoke on the importance of reaching potential local and international communities about the ‘Bangladesh Startup Summit 2024’ and explained how Mindshare plans to inform and engage all interested parties before, during, and after the event.
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural Bangladesh Startup Summit, this year’s event has garnered an exceptional response from the international community. The number of global participants has doubled, with over 100 international attendees. The summit will host 55+ venture capital and investment organizations, alongside numerous angel investors, startup enthusiasts, and international startups. Esteemed figures such as Mr. Mayank, MD of Unicorn Startup Upgrad from India, Global Startups from Silicon Valley, leading Bangladeshi founders, will be among the key contributors. More than 100 renowned speakers from around the world, the summit promises 30+ engaging sessions, making it a pivotal event for the regional startup ecosystem.
The summit will feature an array of sessions covering crucial topics such as AI and Technology, Startup Education, The Art of Fundraising, Fintech, EdTech, Climate Vulnerability, Impact Investment, Logistics, Mobility & E-commerce, RMG Showcasing, and Food and Agritech. Attendees can look forward to day-long showcases, training sessions, policy discussions, and networking opportunities. The event will kick off with an opening session on the Bangladesh Startup Outlook, followed by an in-depth exploration of AI’s future with ‘Leveraging AI in Bangladesh: Today and the Next 5 Years.’ Additional discussions will cover ‘The Art of Fundraising’ and Future of learning.’ Industry-specific talks will delve into electric vehicles, agri-tech, health tech innovations, and fintech. Startups will have the chance to acquire new skills to build AI-enabled tech products and effectively navigate the startup ecosystem. Selected startups will also have the opportunity to pitch directly to seasoned investors, enhancing their chances for investment and collaboration. This summit offers an exceptional opportunity for learning and growth, featuring insights from local and global startup ecosystem players. Attendees can connect with various government initiatives, receive training and mentoring, and learn how to start and grow their startups with the help of ecosystem enablers. The summit will address queries related to business operations and growth, offer special AI certification courses, and provide expert advice on IP patenting through dedicated booths. Participants will also experience the best of the Bangladesh startup ecosystem and gain awareness of the industry’s growth and its role in building a smart Bangladesh.
The organizers highlighted the benefits of the two-day summit for startup founders. Sami Ahmed, Managing Director of Startup Bangladesh Limited stated: “From the 2-day summit, attendees will have the opportunity to see the finest of Bangladesh while also learning from top startup leaders worldwide. Industry professionals will provide startup founders with strategic insights into market trends, business strategies, and prospects for scaling. By meeting with important stakeholders, entrepreneurs can improve their networking skills, learn about effective funding techniques, and be inspired by creative ideas and practical tools. Furthermore, local startup founders will have the unique opportunity to meet with a number of international venture capitalists, exploring both domestic and foreign funding opportunities for their businesses. They will learn how to turn their ideas into commercial solutions with the help of ecosystem players that are open to all prospective entrepreneurs. This program is Startup Bangladesh’s flagship effort, highlighting the growth stories and endless possibilities of the Bangladesh startup ecosystem.”
Honorable State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak praised the initiative, stating: “‘The Bangladesh Startup Summit 2024’ showcases our vibrant ecosystem’s potential on the global stage. By bringing together innovators, investors, and policymakers, we are positioning Bangladesh as a rising leader in the startup world. This summit will not only accelerate the growth and promotion of our startup ecosystem but also ignite the entrepreneurial spirit of a new generation. The summit will attract foreign investment, facilitate knowledge sharing, and foster growth for startup founders. It will showcase Bangladeshi excellence to the global community and serve as a flagship program for promoting Bangladesh’s startup ecosystem both domestically and internationally. Together, we are moving Bangladesh closer to the forefront of the global startup landscape.”
To make the ‘Bangladesh Startup Summit 2024’ a success— Signature Sponsor Swiss Embassy, Communication Partner Mindshare, Event Partner Windmill, Ecosystem Enabler Partner Youth Co:Lab, Hospitality Partner Intercontinental, Knowledge Partner LightCastle and Registration Partner Shohoz are working together in a seamless manner.
To register and secure your seat or to learn more about the ‘Bangladesh Startup Summit 2024’ please visit, https://www.startupsummit.gov.bd/ and stay connected through Startup Bangladesh Limited’s social media channels for regular updates.
