The highly successful conclusion of Powerpreneur 3.0: National Startup Analysis Competition, a flagship initiative by the Dhaka University Entrepreneurship Development Club (DUEDC), took place at the Dhaka University premises.
DUEDC, driven by its core vision of familiarizing inquisitive learners with essential soft skills in entrepreneurship, is dedicated to nurturing future entrepreneurs. The club aims to instill crucial skills and knowledge, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset vital for achieving participants' goals, as stated in a press release.
After two successful intra-university iterations, Powerpreneur 3.0, for the first time, expanded to the national stage, welcoming participants from colleges and universities across Bangladesh. Specialized in enhancing analytical and communication skills, Powerpreneur 3.0 aimed to groom participants for professional growth.
A total of 174 teams from across Bangladesh enrolled in Powerpreneur 3.0, ready to face challenges and unfold a significant chapter in their development. The competition commenced with three online sessions featuring Dr. Rafiuddin Ahmed, Professor in the Department of Marketing at the University of Dhaka, Mahtab Abdullah Monjur, Director of Mahtab's Care, and Naymul Hasan, a professional UI/UX designer and mentor at Shikhbe Shobai. These sessions equipped participants with key tools and knowledge for the competition.
Following the First Round conclusion on 30 December, only 20 teams advanced to the next round. After providing additional analyses in video format and an online pitch deck on the Zoom platform, only eight teams proceeded to the final round.
The Grand Finale commenced with a note from Dr. Rafiuddin Ahmed, the honorable Chief Patron and Moderator of DUEDC. Dr. Ahmed, a leading figure since DUEDC's formation, emphasized the importance of building an entrepreneurial mentality from a young age and shared insights on how to achieve it.
Post the pitching session, the judges - Dr. Rafiuddin Ahmed, Ariful Alam (Senior Manager, Brand and Digital, Nagad Ltd), and M Sohel Rana (Program Lead, GP Accelerator, Grameenphone) - provided closing notes, appreciating the hard work and skills of the finalists.
Team 'Shinobi' emerged as the winner, receiving a prize of Tk5,000. 'Honey Nuts' secured the first runner-up position with Tk3,000, and 'Party Planning Committee' stood as the second runner-up, receiving Tk2,000. DUEDC President Md Ferdous Rahman Razon announced that the winners would be invited to Nagad and receive gifts and goodies.
Abdullah, a student of Jagannath University, and Mehnaz Tamanna Oyeshi, a student of the Islamic University of Technology, were honored as the best campus ambassadors of Powerpreneur 3.0.
Powerpreneur 3.0 had valuable support from event partners, including Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC), Dan Cake and Crunch, The Business Standard, Shikhbe Shobai, Dhaka Post, The Excellence of Dhaka University, Jontro Bazar, and Grameen Danone - Shakti+.
The competition proved to be an exceptional platform for participants at all levels, challenging them to showcase their analytical and entrepreneurial skills. It provided practical learning experiences, expanded networks, and opened doors to new opportunities, aligning with DUEDC's mission to inspire young minds and guide them towards successful entrepreneurship through impactful events like Powerpreneur 3.0.