Bangladesh ICT and Innovation Awards 2026
The government will fund the 20 best innovations showcased at this year’s Bangladesh ICT & Innovation Awards to help turn promising ideas into practical solutions, Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam said.
He made the announcement as the Bangladesh ICT & Innovation Network (BIIN) honoured 44 projects at an awards ceremony at the BRAC University Auditorium under the theme “Recognition for Innovation, Inspiration for Transformation” on Saturday.
The awards recognised nine Champions, 10 Winners and 25 Merit projects. The 44 projects were selected from 355 submissions from across the country, with 118 advancing to the final round following initial screening.
Anam, who handed over the Champion awards as chief guest, said many innovative ideas showcased at the annual event fail to move beyond the concept stage.
“We have been organising this innovation fair for several years, and each time young people present us with innovative ideas. However, most of them remain only ideas and are never implemented,” he said.
The minister said he had discussed the issue with the finance minister, who agreed to provide funding for the 20 best innovations.
“This time, the government hopes to bring these ideas to life,” he said.
State Minister for Planning Zonayed Saki said stronger cooperation between the government and private sector was essential to provide young innovators with the resources, funding and equipment they need.
He linked efforts to promote innovation with the government’s target of building a $1 trillion economy by 2034.
Science and Technology Secretary Md Anwar Hossain said a lack of funding should not prevent promising projects from moving forward.
“Science becomes meaningful only when it leaves the laboratory and reaches people’s lives,” he said, while urging innovators to protect their intellectual property.
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Chairman Major General Md Emdad Ul Bari (retd) urged young people to identify practical problems and develop technology-based solutions.
BIIN Chairman Syed Almas Kabir said Bangladesh ranked 105th among 139 countries in innovation, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
He called for greater investment in research and development and proposed tax incentives to encourage corporate and university R&D.
A 40-member jury evaluated the finalists through a digital judging portal based on uniqueness, public value, commercial potential and technological quality.
The jury included government officials, bankers, corporate executives, academics, chamber representatives, startup experts and technology journalists.
