Dhaka, Bangladesh, 23 November 2024 – As part of the Global Entrepreneurship Week 2024, GEN Bangladesh hosted the Youth Entrepreneurship Summit (YES) 2024 on its 6th day. The event, attended by over 1,000 aspiring and established entrepreneurs, was inaugurated by Professor Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy, Honorable Advisor of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
Distinguished guests gracing the occasion included Mr. Yousup Faruqu, Country Managing Director of Microsoft Bangladesh; Mr. Gunjan Dallakoti, Program Head of ILO; Mr. Showkat Hossain, CEO of Bangladesh Venture Capital Limited; Dr. Rubina Hosen, President of Bangladesh Federation of Women Entrepreneurs; Mr. Imran Fahad, Founder of Inspiring Bangladesh; and Mr. Parvez Boby, Deputy Director of Daffodil Polytechnic.
The Inauguration Session was presided over by Dr. Md. Sabur Khan, Chairman of Daffodil International University, and moderated by Mr. K M Hasan Ripon, National Host of Global Entrepreneurship Week Bangladesh.
The Summit featured various activities aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs, including innovative project showcasing, startup huddle sessions, funding pitches, and individual speeches. A total of 22 innovative projects were showcased, and 3 startup founders shared their journeys, providing inspiration and insights into entrepreneurial challenges and success stories.
Speakers emphasized the importance of strengthening Bangladesh’s entrepreneurship ecosystem by addressing common barriers such as access to funding, market entry, mentorship, incubation, and skills development.
In his remarks, the Honorable Advisor, Professor Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy, emphasized the government’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship from an early age. He stated, “We will reform the education curriculum to make it more entrepreneur-friendly from the primary level, enabling students to develop entrepreneurial mindsets early on.”
Dr. Md. Sabur Khan urged parents to encourage their children to consider entrepreneurship as a viable career path, stating, “Parents should actively support their children in career planning to become entrepreneurs.”
Mr. K M Hasan Ripon, National Host of GEW Bangladesh, highlighted the importance of skill development, particularly financial literacy, to empower young entrepreneurs. He remarked, “Focusing on skill development and financial awareness is critical for fostering a strong entrepreneurial mindset.”
The Youth Entrepreneurship Summit 2024 exemplifies Bangladesh’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial talent, fostering innovation, and empowering the next generation of job creators.
For more information, please contact:
Imran Hossain Nayem
Coordination Officer
GEN Bangladesh
Cell: +8801833 102 819