TV24 Desk: ICT Division is hosting Youth Startup Summit 2025 which is being organized by Startup Bangladesh Ltd. to inspire and empower young entrepreneurs across Bangladesh. Scheduled to be held all throughout the month of February 2025, the Summit will take place in five segments throughout all divisions.
The event will consist of three core components, Youth Innovation Challenge, sessions to Spread knowledge and awareness and Exhibition for startups to showcase their innovations and recruit talents.
The Youth Startup Summit 2025 has launched Youth Innovation Challenge 2025, discussion sessions and exhibition at Chittagong Independent University, Chittagong on February 22, 2025 to inspire and engage young innovators. The competition is designed to encourage young innovators and entrepreneurs to develop creative and impactful solutions to address some of Bangladesh’s most pressing challenges allowing students to present their ideas, prototypes, or MVPs (Minimum Viable Products), focusing on key areas such as financial inclusion, urban mobility, healthcare access, energy solutions, education, climate change, and food security. The primary goal is to foster entrepreneurship, enhance problem-solving skills, and encourage social and environmental impact through sustainable business models.
After receiving a good number of applications, 8 selected teams – LoopBag, Ezygo, Groccii, RoadBook BD, Khelboo, UniApp, BIT and Todvob pitched their impactful solutions to the panel of judges The judge panel was represented by key professionals from relevant sectors.
The event featured a master class on Startup Fundamentals: Mastering the Essentials of Building and Scaling a Business by Mirza Salman Hossain Beg, Founder, EnduringX, Co-founder & ex COO, 10 Minute School. The event presented a panel discussion on From Idea to Scale: The Startup Journey which was conducted by the moderator, Arafatul Islam Akib,Founder,Startup Chattogram. And the panelists were A.K.M Fahim Mashroor, Co-Founder and CEO, Bdjobs.com Ltd., Nabila Nowrin, Co-founder & CEO, Moar Space Ltd., Fahad Ifaz, Co-founder and CEO, iFarmer and Anayet Rashid, Founder & CEO, TruckLagbe.
The competition ended with the winner announcement at the prize giving ceremony where Chief Guest Shish Haider Chowdhury, NDC, Secretary, ICT Division and Guest of Honor, Dr. Syed Manzur Quader, Dean, CIU Business School, Chittagong Independent University announced winners. Secretary of ICT Division Shish Haider Chowdhury said, Youth Startup Summit has already been held in Rajshahi, Sylhet, Khulna and lastly in Chittagong today. The final round of the summit will be held on February 28 at BICC in Dhaka.We encourage our youth to embrace the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation rather than seeking traditional employment. I request the young minds to explore the vast opportunities that the digital age offers.
The winning team UniApp got the prize money of 3,00,000 BDT for presenting their idea about Simplifying University Application System in Bangladesh
Team Ezygo received 2,00,000 BDT for being first runner-up, presenting the solution. Ezygo impressed the judges by their solution that demonstrated a strong understanding about future green delivery services. The team RoadBook BD received 1,00,000 BDT for being the second runner-up who presented a solution for safer, hassle free, fast and affordable transport for women.
By recognizing the best solutions, the competition aims to promote a culture of innovation and empower young minds to contribute meaningfully to Bangladesh’s development. The event highlighted interactive seminars focused on startups & entrepreneurs, pitching competition among local, university student startups, showcasing & recruitment in the exhibition zone as opportunities for students.
The event also inspired spreading knowledge, strengthening connectivity, showcasing homegrown innovations and fostering opportunities. It is a groundbreaking event for students, fresh graduates, aspiring founders and entrepreneurs. Through engaging seminars, competitions, and networking opportunities, the summit was designed to educate, empower, and connect young talent with the tools and resources needed to launch a successful venture. The summit offered exceptional networking opportunities to the attendees.
They had the chance to engage with industry experts and successful entrepreneurs fostering collaboration and mentorship that can guide the young enthusiasts. The competition had some criteria to be met by the participants to be eligible for application. Each team consisted of 3 young aspiring members who were students.
Besides, the solution addressed one of the critical challenges outlined in the Case Bundle i.e. financial inclusion, urban mobility, healthcare access, energy solutions, education, climate change, or food security. The participating teams also had to ensure that the ideas submitted must be original, and not a direct copy of existing solutions.
The CUET Career Club & Chittagong Independent University joined the event as campus partner and Startup Chattogram joined as Community Partner. Knowledge partner at the event was Lightcastle Partners. For more information, please visit http://www.yss.startupbangladesh.vc.
