Bangladesh Business Innovation Award 2019 has recognized 19 best innovations in a grand award gala at Le Méridien Dhaka on Saturday evening.
In order for innovation to take centre stage in Bangladesh – Bangladesh Innovation Conclave (BIC) put together the 2nd Bangladesh Business Innovation Award powered by Mastercard and organized by Bangladesh Brand Forum.
The award was designed to recognize the vibrant community of innovators – from startups to established companies – and its breakthrough creations and ideas. In celebrating successful innovations from startups and veterans alike, the award program aimed to build Bangladesh’s economy by acknowledging the creative mind, fueling innovation within it, according to a statement.
This year, Bangladesh Business Innovation Award 2019 got around 250 entries and the awards were given under eleven categories. Awards were given in two ranks – Winner & Honorable Mention. To select the winners, the entries were evaluated by rigorous jury sessions where renowned innovation experts of the country were present. Pioneering innovations – whether products, services or processes – were judged on their novelty, market need, economic impact and disruption of the status quo.
The opening speech in the award gala was given by Syed Mohammad Kamal, Country Manager, Mastercard. He said, ‘We believe in collaboration that will lead to a better ecosystem. Let's build a digital system where all payments are happening digitally and cash is taken out of the equation.’
Shariful Islam, Founder, Bangladesh Innovation Conclave, also spoke on the occasion. He stressed, ‘The next 10 years will be the building blocks that shape the next 100 years of our country. The world we live is going through extreme transformation and disruption. In order to survive, we need to bring in innovation at the core.’
The main categories of the award were designed for sectorial innovation which took place in the financial sector, healthcare, start-up, agriculture sector, SDG inclusion, process, product development, social, public service and technology.