Entrepreneurship is not just about starting a business; it is about developing a mindset of creativity, leadership, and courage to take initiative. In Bangladesh, this idea is being brought to life through a groundbreaking initiative that aims to introduce entrepreneurship at the school level, helping students develop essential skills in investment thinking, risk-taking, innovation, and teamwork from an early age.
Under the guidance of Dr. Md. Sabur Khan, Chairman of Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Bangladesh, and Dr. K. M. Hasan Ripon, Managing Director of GEN Bangladesh, this national initiative is part of the global celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2025 under the theme: “Together We Build.”
This effort is being implemented through a powerful collaboration among GEN Bangladesh, GEN Campus Dhaka, and Daffodil Schools, with the active participation of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The partnership reflects a shared belief that the foundation of entrepreneurship should be built early in life, beginning in schools where curiosity and creativity thrive most naturally.
From Awareness to Action
As part of the GEW 2025 celebration, GEN Bangladesh has launched an Entrepreneurship Awareness Campaign in schools to help young students understand the value of innovation and business thinking. The campaign will reach 50 schools across Bangladesh, involving students, teachers, and parents in activities that encourage learning by doing.
The initiative focuses on transforming the way children perceive opportunity and innovation. Through storytelling, interactive sessions, and project-based activities, students are encouraged to explore how their ideas can contribute to solving real-world challenges in their communities.
No Idea is a Bad Idea
The program’s highlight, titled “No Idea is a Bad Idea Showcasing,” encourages school students to generate creative business concepts and present them to their peers and teachers. The goal is to help them understand that every idea, no matter how small or simple, has the potential to grow if nurtured with passion and persistence.
Students are guided to think critically, collaborate with classmates, and articulate their ideas with confidence. The activity instills not only creativity but also a sense of self-belief that is crucial in any entrepreneurial journey.
The Pop-Up Market Experience
To take the learning further, GEN Bangladesh has also introduced the concept of a Pop-Up Market inside school campuses. In these student-led mini-markets, children design, produce, and sell their own products or services to their teachers, friends, and parents.
The experience teaches them essential life skills such as communication, negotiation, budgeting, and teamwork. It also helps them understand the concept of value creation and the satisfaction that comes from building something on their own.
Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder, Honorable Adviser, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, said:
“Entrepreneurship education should not be limited to universities. It must begin at the primary level so that our children grow up thinking creatively, learning how to solve problems, and building the courage to take risks. I encourage this model to be replicated not only across Bangladesh but also globally, because preparing children for the future starts today.”
Dr. Md. Sabur Khan, Chairman of GEN Bangladesh, believes that empowering school students through entrepreneurial education can change the country’s future.
“If we can teach our children to think independently, take responsibility, and solve problems with creativity, we will create a generation that can lead Bangladesh into a new era of innovation and economic growth,” he said.
Together We Build the Future
The involvement of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education adds significant national importance to this initiative. Their support ensures that entrepreneurship is recognized as a vital part of future education policy and youth development strategy.
As Dr. K. M. Hasan Ripon explains, “When children learn to take initiative, communicate with others, and manage small ventures at an early age, they begin to think like leaders. This mindset will serve them throughout life, whether they become entrepreneurs or professionals. The School-Level Entrepreneurship Awareness Campaign, No Idea is a Bad Idea Showcasing, and Pop-Up Market together form a powerful learning journey that blends creativity with practical experience."
Through these initiatives, GEN Bangladesh, GEN Campus Dhaka, and Daffodil Schools are planting the seeds of entrepreneurship among children who will one day lead industries, create jobs, and build sustainable communities.
By starting entrepreneurship education in schools, Bangladesh is proving that innovation has no age limit. When students are encouraged to believe in their ideas, they not only dream bigger but also learn the true meaning of this year’s GEW theme: “Together We Build.”