PM to unveil startup platform at DU

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to inaugurate a special programme titled “Youth, Startup, and Promising Bangladesh” at Dhaka University (DU) today, aiming to bring the innovative ideas, creativity and entrepreneurial potential of young people into the mainstream of national development.

The programme will be held at 9:30am at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of DU, organised by the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division in collaboration with the university.

Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Fakir Mahbub Anam and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Rehan Asif Asad will attend the event as special guests.

DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A B M Obaidul Islam will deliver the vote of thanks, while ICT Division Acting Secretary Md Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan will present the introductory speech. Professor Dr Md Morshed Hasan Khan of DU’s Department of Marketing, also a member of the event management committee, will deliver the welcome address.

The inaugural session will feature a documentary presentation on Bangladesh’s startup ecosystem, followed by an experience-sharing session titled “Golpo Noy Shotyi” (True Stories, Not Fables) featuring successful startup founders.

Students will also take part in an open discussion with the Prime Minister on startup-related issues, while grant cheques will be distributed among selected startups during the programme.

A key highlight of the event will be the launch of the National Startup and Entrepreneurship Platform, a digital hub designed to provide entrepreneurs with access to government support services, training, mentoring, investment opportunities, application procedures and information about partner organisations.

The platform aims to simplify access to entrepreneurship support, improve coordination among stakeholders and strengthen the country’s startup ecosystem.

The ICT Division is currently implementing several programmes to transform innovative ideas into successful ventures, create technology-based employment opportunities, encourage research and promote a knowledge-based economy.

The initiatives cover the entire entrepreneurial journey – from idea generation and skills development to mentoring, funding, investment connections and business expansion.

Developing youth and women entrepreneurs has been identified as a national priority, with the government’s Election Manifesto 2026 placing special emphasis on startup development to accelerate economic growth, job creation and technological transformation.

As part of this initiative, a Tk500 crore Startup Fund has already been established to finance and support promising innovative ventures.

The event will remain open to participants from 1:00pm after the completion of the inaugural ceremony.