GEN Bangladesh, the national affiliate of the Global Entrepreneurship Network, supports Bangladesh's entrepreneurship ecosystem by working across the country to inspire, support and empower entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs. GEN Bangladesh brings together Youth, Entrepreneurs, Business leaders, Investors, Educators and researchers of the entrepreneurship ecosystem to make Bangladesh the largest destination for entrepreneurs in the world.
GEN began operating in Bangladesh in November 2010 when it initiated Global Entrepreneurship Week. Since its inception, the campaign has grown into a nationwide movement. Key milestones include:
- Initial Launch (2010): The first campaign was introduced to inspire local youth and connect them with the global entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- Expansion (2017): Daffodil International University (DIU) took a leading role, organizing large-scale programs such as "Meet the Press" to bring wider media attention to the movement.
- Digital Shift (2020): Due to global circumstances, the campaign was launched through a virtual ceremony with a focus on "Education, Ecosystem, Inclusion, and Policy".
- Nationwide Reach (2023): The 16th annual campaign reached a massive scale, featuring over 200 events across 30 districts in all 8 divisions of Bangladesh.
- Current Scale (2025): The most recent campaign in November 2025, themed "Together We Build," included over 50,000 visitors at its grand finale and integrated entrepreneurship into 50 schools nationwide.
With the growth of GEW, Dr. Md. Sabur Khan and a team of Bangladesh's entrepreneurship ecosystem leaders established GEN Bangladesh in 2022 in order to spearhead year round efforts to foster innovation, empower entrepreneurs, and strengthen Bangladesh’s integration into the global entrepreneurial ecosystem through strategic collaborations and impactful initiatives. GEN Bangladesh is led by national board chaired by Dr. Khan that includes Bangladesh's talented business and chamber leaders and an executive staff headed by K M Hasan Ripon, the managing director.
GEN Bangladesh aims to connect Bangladeshi entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship support organizations and ecosystem enablers. Its key activities and programs include:
1. Global Connectivity & Competitions
- Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW): Organizes a large-scale national campaign involving workshops, rallies, and networking events for thousands of participants.
- Startup Huddle Dhaka: A monthly event where entrepreneurs present their businesses and receive community feedback to solve challenges.
- Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC): Hosts national rounds to send top startups to compete globally in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
2. Educational Initiatives
- School-Level Entrepreneurship: Introduced entrepreneurship programs to children in 50 schools across Bangladesh to foster early creative thinking and leadership.
- GEN Campus & SparkLab: Provides dedicated physical and digital spaces for incubation, mentorship, and training for new founders and freelancers.
3. Specialized Support Programs
- Women Entrepreneurship Networking: Flagship events like the "Women Entrepreneurship Networking Session" and "Best Woman Entrepreneur Awards" specifically empower and recognize female innovators.
- Funding & Market Access: Facilitates connections between local startups and international investors, helping them scale into global markets.
- AI for Entrepreneurs: Promotes the use of AI through "Superpreneur" movements to modernize traditional business models.
GEN Bangladesh engages with Global Entrepreneurship Research Network by providing data and learning about new, evidence-based initiatives that support founders and advance the growth of entrepreneurship ecosystems.
