The Global South's largest convening on impact entrepreneurship and sustainable development, the Sankalp Summit, is hosting its first edition in Bangladesh on the March 19 at the Sheraton Dhaka.
The Sankalp Dhaka Summit 2023 presented by Intellecap and Aavishkaar Group will positively engage more than 40 global and regional speakers and over 200 pioneering change-makers from the development ecosystem and impact community, reads a press release.
The speakers will discuss, define and drive forward the critical levers of entrepreneurial success across over 12 interactive sessions, reads a press release.
This year's summit, themed around “Catalysing Bangladesh's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem” will focus on supporting the growth of entrepreneurs in the region and driving critical discussions around focus areas like green RMG manufacturing, climate resilient agriculture, renewable energy, waste-free cities, health & nutrition and gender and livelihoods.
The summit will feature speeches by key government dignitaries, insights from global leaders, learning sessions through master classes, incisive panel discussions, fireside chats and an entrepreneur-investor LIVE deal room, all aimed at celebrating entrepreneurship, forging collaborative partnerships, and imagining the future beyond the goals themselves.
Managing Director of Intellecap Jayesh Bhatia said: “Sankalp Dhaka will discuss three key elements of building a vibrant enterprise ecosystem-Capital, Technology and Capacities. Drawing inspiration from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's call to global investors to join the Smart Bangladesh 2041 journey, Intellicap will bring together its global expertise to work with stakeholders to spur the entrepreneurial spirit to make measurable contributions towards driving a sustainable economic and inclusive agenda for Bangladesh.”
Managing Director of Startup Bangladesh Sami Ahmed said: "Startup Bangladesh's primary goal is to help create an inclusive innovation ecosystem where investors, startups, government and academia can work together with a particular focus on sustainable innovation and the circular economy.”
“We are actively seeking out startups that are working to create a circular economy, where resources are used in a more sustainable and efficient manner and contribute to the Smart Bangladesh Vision,” he added.
Through initiatives such as the Sankalp Dhaka Summit 2023, the program is looking to connect with global investors who can provide financial and strategic support to homegrown startups. This will enable these startups to scale up and grow, contributing to the development of the overall startup ecosystem in the country, Ahmed further said.
Circular Apparel Innovation Factory (CAIF), an Intellecap initiative, will host their largest convening of stakeholders from across the textiles and apparel value chain at the Summit.
Director of CAIF Venkat Kotamaraju said: “With CAIF's expansion into Bangladesh in 2022, we are now delighted to host the 4th CAIF Conclave in Bangladesh at #SankalpDhaka2023. RMG in Bangladesh already plays a pivotal role in Bangladesh's economy and will continue to lead the way in Bangladesh's Smart Vision 2041.”
“Along with the leading voices from across the RMG value chain, we aim to inform and shape a cohesive pathway to accelerate the green transition and to mainstream circular economy which will further elevate RMG Bangladesh's position in the global value chain. To do this, we will leverage our tried and tested ecosystem approach by mobilizing capital, knowledge, networks and technology – to benefit both the planet and the people,” he added.
The summit will witness key partners like United Commercial Bank (Bangladesh), Startup Bangladesh, Bangladesh Angels Network, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Doen Foundation, UNDP, Unicef, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd (ABFRL) and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), coming together to help achieve the SDGs, with each of them lending specific perspective and insight.
UCB PLC (Bangladesh), one of the key sponsors of the Summit, will look at supporting the entrepreneurial spirit, enabling innovation to drive financial inclusion and empowering gender-diverse and inclusive, small and micro businesses.
Managing Director and CEO of UCB Investment (a fully owned subsidiary of UCB PLC and a Merchant Bank) Tanzim Alamgir said: “Building the economy is at the heart of our impactful work in Bangladesh. Entrepreneurship and Innovation will deliver transformative impact and the Sankalp Dhaka Summit is a great opportunity to meet promising impact enterprises and showcase adaptable, sustainable solutions to stimulate conversations, collaborations, innovation and investments. I hope that partnerships made at the Summit lead to the development of real, inclusive and transformative impact.”
Another key part of the summit is the Sankalp Dhaka Awards which aims to recognize and reward high impact enterprises in Bangladesh.
Seven finalists from key impact sectors will pitch their enterprises and to a jury panel comprising of eminent business leaders and three will get the opportunity to highlight their journey of impact at the Summit as they win the prestigious awards for their outstanding ideas.
