To inspire the youth of the country to take on creative initiatives and support them in transforming their innovative ideas into reality, the “Innovation Design and Entrepreneurship Academy (iDEA) Project,” under the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) of the ICT Division of Bangladesh, is organizing the “National Youth Summit Startup Grant Program.” As part of the “Festival of Youth 2025,” themed “Let’s Change the Nation, Let’s Change the World,” this event is set to be one of the largest platforms for young innovators and startups in Bangladesh.
The iDEA Project aims to elevate the power of youth to new heights through innovative initiatives with this exceptional event. By bringing together young entrepreneurs, startups, innovators and students, this initiative seeks to further strengthen the country’s startup ecosystem.
Through the National Youth Summit Startup Grant Program, young entrepreneurs & startups will have the opportunity to receive grants of up to BDT 10 lakh for their innovative ideas. Applications for participation will open on February 5, 2025 and will continue until February 15, 2025. In this regard, University Activation Campaigns will be organized at public and private universities across the country, including Dhaka. Through this campaign, there are plans to directly inform young students, innovators, and entrepreneurs about the National Youth Summit Startup Grant Program. Additionally, the campaign will also raise awareness among young entrepreneurs about the application process and other activities related to the program.
Innovators and startups from different industries category, including healthcare, agriculture, education, climate, the garment industry, logistics, fintech, IT, e-commerce, etc., will be eligible to apply. Applications will be evaluated by the sector expert and experienced judges, followed by a pitching round. The names of the grant recipients will be announced at the “National Youth Summit 2025.” Applicants may find more details on the iDEA Project’s official website (www.idea.gov.bd).
Notably, aside from the Startup Grant Program, another major attraction of the summit will be the “iDEA Portfolio Startup Exhibition,” where young entrepreneurs will showcase their innovative products and services. To inspire the next generation to embark on innovative ventures, success stories of startups that received grants from the iDEA Project will also be presented at the event. Additionally, a special seminar titled “iDEA Project’s Impact to Build Bangladesh Startup Eco-System” is also planned as part of the summit.
This initiative is a national effort to unite the youth, students, innovators, and entrepreneurs of Bangladesh. Through this event, the power and creativity of Bangladeshi youth will be showcased to the world. The organizers believe this initiative will play a vital role in highlighting the potential of the youth on an international scale.