Startup Bangladesh Limited

Startup Bangladesh Limited is the flagship venture capital fund of ICT Division. Under the visionary guidance of Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Startup Bangladesh - the first and only venture capital fund sponsored by the government of the People’s republic of Bangladesh started its journey in March 2020 with an allocated capital of BDT 500 crores. This effort will enable the nation to innovate faster, create new jobs, develop technical skills, and realize the vision of Smart Bangladesh.

Under the steadfast leadership of the Architect of Smart Bangladesh and ICT Advisor to the Honorable Prime Minister Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the startup ecosystem is forging ahead like a roaring Royal Bengal Tiger. With strong stewardship and support from Honorable State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP, the ecosystem sustained and expanded even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Fund will provide investment in the form of equity, convertible debt, and/or grants in pre-seed, seed, and growth-stage startups. It would invest through co-investments, as a fund-of-funds and asset manager and provide other in-kind support to startups and stakeholders.

The Fund will support technology-based innovations to create new employment opportunities, promote under-represented tech groups, foster entrepreneurship culture, and Bring transformational changes to the lives of millions.

Startup Bangladesh Limited's Board of Directors comprises distinguished senior government officials - Md. Shamsul Arefin, Secretary, ICT Division as the Chairperson. He is joined by honorable Board members Md. Moinul Kabir, Secretary, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division; Ranajit Kumar, Executive Director, Bangladesh Computer Council

Bangladesh is one of the youngest countries in the world, with more than half of its population being under 25. Startups have complemented GoB efforts in building the Smart infrastructure in transportation, logistics, essential goods and services, payments, food & agriculture, entertainment, health, and education.

As part of the ICT Division's innovative steps to address existing gaps and constraints towards implementing the ambitious global framework of the SDGs, it is taking numerous initiatives to develop the technology infrastructure of the country to create universal and affordable access to digital devices and the Internet in an effort to develop the digital literacy of the people. Startups can play a critical role in addressing the market needs and this will serve as the basis to have far-reaching consequences in developing and upgrading the education and health systems and making them accessible to all. The crucial and essential solutions provided by startups can play a significant role in the Nation’s achieving SDG Goal 2030 and beyond.

Riding on solid fundamentals the startup ecosystem is coming of age – where 1.2 million jobs have been created, more than 500,000 micro-entrepreneurs have been supported and USD 940 million+ of foreign direct investments have been invested in Startups over the last 13 years. Startups have played a pivotal role in driving innovation, propelling the journey towards Smart Bangladesh, and are now significantly shaping the realization of the Smart Bangladesh Vision 2041.

The Country is celebrating Mujib Borsho - the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman & its 50th anniversary of Independence in 2021. Bangladesh, symbolized by a red sun among a green meadow started in 1971, has journeyed a long path as we enter our 50th year. We do believe that as a country we are entering the “high seas” with a rising sun lighting its Smart transformation.