Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today inaugurated the National Startup and Entrepreneurship Platform, a unified digital platform aimed at supporting startups and entrepreneurs by bringing government services, training, mentoring, investment opportunities and partner organisations under a single umbrella.
The platform was launched at a special programme titled “Youth, Startup and Promising Bangladesh” held at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of the University of Dhaka. Organised by the ICT Division in collaboration with the University of Dhaka, the event was held under the slogan, “Let’s build the nation through startups, Bangladesh first.”
Designed as a national digital gateway for entrepreneurs, the platform seeks to integrate the innovative ideas, creativity and entrepreneurial potential of Bangladesh’s youth into the country’s mainstream development process.
The programme began with the screening of a documentary highlighting the evolution of Bangladesh’s startup ecosystem. It also featured an experience-sharing session titled “Golpo Noy Shotyi” (True Stories, Not Fables), where successful startup founders shared their entrepreneurial journeys and the challenges they overcame in building their ventures.
Later, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman participated in an open discussion with university students on startups and entrepreneurship. During the event, he distributed grant cheques among six selected entrepreneurs in recognition of their innovative business ideas and contributions. The Prime Minister was also presented with a commemorative crest.
Speakers at the programme described the National Startup and Entrepreneurship Platform as a comprehensive digital launchpad that will enable entrepreneurs to access government support programmes, application services, training, mentoring, investment opportunities and essential business services through a single integrated portal.
They emphasized that fostering a new generation of entrepreneurs by harnessing the innovative potential of youth and women has become a national priority. In line with this vision, the government’s Election Manifesto 2026 places special emphasis on startup development to accelerate economic growth, generate employment and drive technological transformation.
As part of this commitment, the government has already established a Tk 500 crore Startup Fund to finance promising innovative ventures and strengthen Bangladesh’s growing startup ecosystem.
Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam and the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Rehan Asif Asad attended the programme as special guests.
Acting Secretary of the ICT Division Md Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan delivered the introductory remarks, while Professor Dr Md Morshed Hasan Khan of the University of Dhaka’s Marketing Department welcomed the guests. Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam delivered the vote of thanks
