The iDEA project of Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) under the ICT Division has been working since 2016 to provide grants and other benefits to startups for increasing their promotion, skills and knowledge.
At the same time, the iDEA Project conducts different activities in collaboration with organisations from home and abroad. Such activities play an important role in building a startup ecosystem in Bangladesh, according to a statement issued on Wednesday.
In order to develop entrepreneurial culture, the iDEA Project is regularly initiating different programs for startups, including many technical and up-to-date training, mentoring, campaigns, awards programs, seminars, workshops and research.
In view of this, the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) and the ICT Division's iDEA Project signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the capital on Wednesday.
The MoU was signed by the Project Director (Joint Secretary) of the iDEA Project Md. Abdur Rakib and UGC Secretary (Additional In-charge) Dr Ferdous Zaman in the presence of the Senior Secretary of ICT Division N M Zeaul Alam PAA and UGC Chairman Professor Dr Kazi Shahidullah,
The Executive Director (Additional Secretary) of BCC Dr Md Abdul Mannan, PAA; UGC Member Professor Dr Md. Sazzad Hossain; Public Relations and Right to Information Division Director Dr A K M Shamsul Arefin; iDEA Project's Senior Consultant R H M Alaol Kabir, Legal Consultant Adneen Zereen, Communication Consultant Shohag Chandra Das and other officials of iDEA Project and UGC were present at the time of MOU signing.
According to the MoU, UGC and the iDEA Project will create innovation hubs for the development of entrepreneurs and startups in universities across the country.
Industry, academia and iDEA project will work together for the benefit of entrepreneurs where emerging and promising startups or entrepreneurs will collaborate in a variety of ways, including training, grooming, and funding.
In addition, concerned academics, researchers, experienced and skilled individuals in the field of industry and business will be involved as resource persons in this activity. As a result, entrepreneurs will be able to acquire new technology and business knowledge that will enable them to successfully advance their innovations or startups.
In addition, UGC's "Mujib 100 ideas" contest will be held every year from where mentoring and grooming will be provided to the top 100 initiatives through the Innovation Hub. As a result, these startups will be able to reach their seed and growth stage by increasing their knowledge and skills.
At the same time, the top 10 startups of the "Mujib 100 Idea" contest will be given a grant of Tk 1.0 million based on the evaluation by the selection committee of the iDEA project.
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