Startup accelerators by definition help and support early-stage growth-oriented companies through various resources. Usually these resources include education, mentorship, and financing. Startups enter accelerators for a fixed-period of time.
In the journey of an entrepreneur at an accelerator programme, there is an enormous difference between the first night of the accelerator and how they pitch at investor day. These programmes provide an experience that many of the entrepreneurs refer to as 'life-changing'. However, very few startup accelerators are found in Bangladesh. Spark* Bangladesh is one of the accelerators that supports the entrepreneurs to achieve their goals and grow from early stage.
Spark* Bangladesh is running its fifth Social Entrepreneurship Accelerator Programme in partnership with Build Bangladesh and YGAP, Australia in Dhaka in April 2018. It is a prodigious chance for passionate entrepreneurs in Bangladesh. They can build up businesses and organisations to bring the hope of light in lives of people of Bangladesh.
Spark* Bangladesh primarily aims to improve the lives of people living in poverty by accelerating start-up social enterprises and supporting them as they grow their businesses and make greater positive changes in their communities. Spark* operates in four countries-- Kenya, Australia, South Africa, and Bangladesh. They have supported 356 entrepreneurs who have significantly changed over 4,72,637 lives to date.
The Spark* Bangladesh Accelerator is going to bring together eight to ten emerging social entrepreneurs for five intensive days of entrepreneurship training from April 15 to 20, 2018, led by world-class facilitators. They have a powerful and practical curriculum, aimed at unlocking the potential of each start-up venture, covering strategy, impact, innovation and more. Entrepreneurs will learn how to refine their business models, and ultimately become better equipped to improve the lives of people living in Bangladesh through their ventures. Beyond the Accelerator, the entrepreneurs are provided six months of ongoing support from Spark*, to help prove their models and scale their venture.
To name a few, Spark* Bangladesh is supporting startups like 'Blood Friend' - a mobile app that connects blood donors and patients; 'Daktar Bari' - clinics that provide healthcare services to the disadvantaged people; Biofil Bangladesh - environment friendly toilets for the rural and local community; Leaping Boundaries- soft and hard skills training centre for madrassa girls of Bangladesh.
Most of the entrepreneurs lose their hope to grow their businesses because of financial limitations. Spark* Bangladesh is providing solutions on both financial and non-financial needs. In sum, Spark* Bangladesh is providing opportunities for impact startups hoping to rapidly grow their ventures. Emerging social entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply online at http://www.sparkinternational.org/spark-bangladesh/. Applications close on March 10, 2018.
The writer is a final year student of BBA programme at Bangladesh University of Professionals. He can be reached at arabid418@gmail.com