Grameenphone’s flagship startup innovation platform, GP Accelerator, has introduces its “Jelay Jelay Smart Uddyokta” Regional Design Bootcamp, aiming to harness the potential of young ideapreneurs.
The official announcement took place at a Dhaka hotel on September 30, where a diverse assembly of community builders, startup founders, GP Accelerator alumni, mentors, industry experts, esteemed figures, and stakeholders came together to support and enable startup innovation from exceptional ideas, as stated in a press release.
Startup Bangladesh Ltd has joined hands with GP Accelerator as a Strategic Partner to reinforce and drive this regional initiative forward.
The event was graced by Zunaid Ahmed Palak, State Minister of ICT Division, as the Chief Guest. Also in attendance were Sami Ahmed, Managing Director and CEO of Startup Bangladesh Ltd., Yasir Azman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Grameenphone, and high-ranking officials from both organizations.
The “Jelay Jelay Smart Uddyokta” initiative is geared towards nurturing entrepreneurship to address regional challenges and create local innovative solutions. The program will engage 30 community builders and conduct pitch sessions at 20 different locations, with the goal of identifying and rewarding the top 20 ideapreneurs. This initiative primarily targets university students and potential entrepreneurs passionate about innovation through startups, offering them valuable skills, mentorship, networking opportunities, and funding support. This aligns with Bangladesh’s ambition to become a Smart Nation, leveraging its youthful demographic potential.
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Speaking at the event, Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP, Hon’ble State Minister of ICT Division, expressed his delight, saying, “I am thrilled to witness the launch of ‘Jelay Jelay Smart Uddyokta’ from GP Accelerator, a remarkable initiative aimed at nurturing the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of our youth. In our journey toward a Smart Bangladesh, the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators will play a pivotal role, and programs like these are essential to harness their potential. I applaud Grameenphone for its commitment to supporting startups, providing training, and mentorship to thousands of ‘ideapreneurs’. This initiative, in partnership with Startup Bangladesh, aligns perfectly with our Smart Bangladesh 2041 vision, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our startup ecosystem.”
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Yasir Azman, CEO of Grameenphone, stated, “Grameenphone is dedicated to empowering society and fostering a smart knowledge-based economy that is inclusive. Our GP Accelerator program embodies this commitment. The introduction of Regional Design Bootcamps marks a new phase in our mission to promote entrepreneurship and innovation throughout the country. We are confident that the innovative ideas of young entrepreneurs can spur significant regional growth, which is the essence of this initiative. The bootcamps will not only provide thousands of innovative entrepreneurs with the necessary skills but also boost the network of startup communities that will collectively contribute to building a ‘Smart Bangladesh.'”
Since its establishment in 2015, GP Accelerator has made a substantial impact on the country’s startup industry. It has generated 500,000 jobs through 50 startups, increased the value of numerous promising startups by up to tenfold, and achieved a cross-valuation of USD 5 million. These achievements demonstrate the program’s substantial contribution to the economic growth of the country.
