Registration open for Bangabandhu Innovation Grant 2020

The government has inaugurated the “Bangabandhu Innovation Grant 2020” program to mark the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Registration for the program commenced following the inauguration.

State Minister for ICT Affairs Zunaid Ahmed Palak inaugurated the program as its chief guest on Wednesday morning at the ICT building auditorium.

Both local and international startups may take part in the program, which will grant Tk1,000,000 each to 100 startups, said Palak.

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Interested startups can register for the program at www.big.gov.bd starting November 25. However, local startups can begin to apply for grants from December 25, and international startups from January 25, 2021. 

The ICT division will arrange a TV reality show with 65 of the best startup ideas. The show will comprise 13 episodes, with 26 of the best startups making it to the final round. The winner will receive a grant worth $100,000, said the minister.

International road shows will also be arranged to promote the event.

Zunaid Ahmed Palak said: "We are trying to make the program an annual event, connecting different governments, companies and universities. We have already secured a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with several countries,” he said.

"The grants will encourage the youth to become entrepreneurs, which in turn will create new jobs for others,” added Palak