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Bangladeshi company in Startup World Cup 2020


Published : 26 Jan 2020 09:33 PM | Updated : 04 Dec 2020 01:16 PM

A Bangladeshi startup business company or entrepreneur will get opportunity to participate in the ‘Startup World Cup 2020’ competition.
The Startup World Cup 2020 is yet to announce the name of the (selected) company that would represent Bangladesh. The event will be held in Silicon Valley, USA and the winner will get prize money of $1,000,000. This is the second time a company supported by the government would take part in such international competition.

The largest startup business competition – The Startup World Cup 2020 - will be represented by more than 50 regions from all over the world, including Bangladesh. Shameem Ahsan, General Partner of Pegasus Tech Ventures and Chairman of eGeneration Group, disclosed this at a press conference held on Sunday.

To mark the beginning of the countdown of Mujib Borsho, Startup World Cup 2020 will have a daylong international conference and the regional finale, which will be organized by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ICT Division, Venture Capital & Private Equity Association of Bangladesh (VCPEAB), International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Powered by eGeneration.

Global Investors and policy makers from USA, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, India and few other countries will attend the program as speakers and guests. The investors believe that the local startup businessmen will spur growth and accelerate the startup ecosystem in the country.

Wendy Werner, Country Manager, International Finance Corporation (IFC); SM Ashraful Islam, Executive Vice Chairman, eGeneration Group; Syed Mojibul Huq, Additional Secretary ICT Division; Kazi Ziaul Hasan, Director, ICT Wing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Rubaba Dowla, President TiE Dhaka; Zia U Ahmed, Vice President, VCPEAB; Waliul Maroof Matin, Director of VCPEAB & Managing Director of Maslin Capital; Zia Ashraf, COO were present at the press conference.

The Startup World Cup 2020, Bangladesh has Singapore Venture Capital & Equity Association (SVCA) as International partner, along with many partners like Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority, Startup Bangladesh, TiE, Entrepreneur Organization (EO), American Alumni Association (AAA), Chakri Khujbo Na, Chakri Debo. The Startup World Cup 2020, Bangladesh has Knowledge Partnership with BUET; and media partnership with RTV.

Evaly (evaly.com.bd) is the platinum sponsor and Chaldal (chaldal.com) is the gold sponsor for Startup World Cup 2020, Bangladesh. Interested participants can apply through the online portal of the Startup World Cup 2020 for the Bangladesh regional at https://www.startupworldcup.io/bangladesh-regional and the deadline of the application is on 31st January.

The best startup business company of Bangladesh will be invited to pitch in local finale, which is to be held on February 8th at Radisson Blu, Dhaka and the champion startup will be provided with the opportunity to compete at the global stage of Startup World Cup 2020 held in Silicon Valley, USA.

Shammem Ahsan said, “This would be a prestigious opportunity for the Bangladesh startups to explore beyond the horizon by presenting exciting businesses on a global scale and represent Bangladesh at finale in Silicon Valley." "These startups, budding around the time of Mujib Borsho, can become the backbone of a developed Bangladesh in 2041 by contributing in achieving Government’s vision for double digit GDP Growth,” he added.

Wendy Werner, Country Manager, International Finance Corporation (IFC) said, “IFC works to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Bangladesh by supporting early-stage ventures that have the potential to make significant development impact for the country." He said, "Startup World Cup is an exciting opportunity to discover new talents in the start-up space."

We look forward to see innovative initiatives of Bangladeshi youth to use digital technology to bridge developmental gaps and create new markets, he said adding that, my best wishes to all the participants! Syed Mojibul Huq, Additional Secretary ICT Division and Project Director of IDEA said, "The government has been working continuously for developing the startup ecosystem in Bangladesh and Startup Bangladesh is giving maximum efforts to make ICT entrepreneurs."

Through this event the startups will be able to connect with the investor and that will encourage the local startups more, he said adding that, "To make the "Startup World Cup 2020" a success, Startup Bangladesh will give all the supports needed."