BRAC Bank and BRAC University have joined hands to provide access to finance exclusively to women-led startups, a press release said Friday.
BRAC Bank and BRAC Business School of BRAC University have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) under a programme styled ‘Uddomi Ami’.
The two organizations will impart the hands-on training required to establish startup businesses. In this intensive grooming programme, aspiring women entrepreneurs will be able to hone their managerial and entrepreneurial skills and become successful in business.
Syed Abdul Momen, Deputy Managing Director & Head of SME Banking, BRAC Bank; and Dr. Mohammad Mujibul Haque, Dean, BRAC University Business School, signed the agreement at the university on June 3, 2023.
Prof Syed Mahfuzul Aziz, Acting VC, BRAC University; Mohammad Ashiqur Rahman, Director, SME & Special Programmes Department, Bangladesh Bank; Dr. Dave Dowland, Register, BRAC University; and senior officials of both organizations were present.
Women Entrepreneurs who completed the ‘Uddomi Ami’ training programme of BRAC University can get the partnership facility. After the grooming programme, the women entrepreneurs can apply for startup financing from BRAC Bank.
Through the programme, a woman entrepreneur will experience industry visits and boot camps to help nurture her skills and reach her true potential in business. It aims to stimulate women-led enterprises and build a network to gather and share knowledge. In line with UN’s 5th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), the programme aims to achieve gender equality and empower women in their entrepreneurship journey.
Syed Abdul Momen, the Deputy Managing Director and Head of SME at BRAC Bank stated, “We have consistently taken proactive steps to support aspiring women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh, which focuses on SMEs. Through collaboration with BRAC University, we strive to assist women-led startups in maintaining and growing their businesses. We encourage aspiring businesswomen to seize this opportunity and realize their entrepreneurial dreams. We have plans to expand our partnership with the university to include more women in this programme.”
