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 Khulna University premises on February 17, 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.
The event was commended by Sami Ahmed, Managing Director of Startup Bangladesh. The event presented panel discussion on From Idea to Scale: The Startup Journey which was conducted by moderator Kazi Ridwan Ahmed, Co-founder, Skoot, and the panelists were Qazi Bouland, Co-founder & CEO, Agroshift; Adnan Imtiaz Halim, CEO & Co-founder, Sheba Platform Ltd; Zia Ashraf, Co-founder & COO, Chaldal and Erad Kawsar – Executive Director, BUILD Bangladesh
Out of a vast pool of applications, 8 teams were selected to pitch their startup concepts to the panel of judges. The teams are AQUASENSE BD, Thirst Relief, Eco Sentinels, Agro Assistant, Swatez, Impact X, Agro Care and iStudy. The judge panel was represented by key professionals from relevant sectors.
The competition ended with the winner announcement at the prize giving ceremony where Professor Dr. Anwarul Haque Joarder, Pro- Vice Chancellor, Northern University of Business and Technology, Khulna announced the winners.
The winning team Eco Sentinels gets the prize money of 3,00,000 BDT for pitching a solution to the case Addressing Climate Challenges and Building Resilience in Bangladesh. They presented their idea about transforming salinity-affected areas into vibrant agricultural and ecological hubs.
Team AQUASENSE BD receives 2,00,000 BDT for being first runner-up, presenting the solution of the case Food Security in Bangladesh- Ensuring Affordable Nutrition for All. AQUASENSE BD impressed the judges by their solution that demonstrated a strong understanding of the challenges of Bangladesh’s food system and offered a practical and scalable approach by Transforming Fisheries with IoT, Data, and Expert Support.
The team Thirst Relief receives 1,00,000 BDT for being the second runner-up who presented a solution for the case Addressing Climate Challenges and Building Resilience in Bangladesh. They demonstrated their product Thirst Relief Rain – in a box making access to renewable energy, improved health and making life of women easier.
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 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 Khulna University Innovation Club, Northern University of Business and Technology Khulna, KUET Career Club was the campus partner and Startup Khulna and Startup Khulna were the Community Partner at the event. Knowledge partner at the event was Lightcastle Partners.
For more information, please visit http://www.yss.startupbangladesh.gov.bd