An initial report of “Innovation Design and Entrepreneurship Academy (iDEA)” project of Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC), under the ICT Division, was presented on Sunday through a webinar.
The report, titled “Findings of Baseline Survey on Startups in Bangladesh”, was presented by the partner of the survey “Innovative Research & Consultancy (IRC) Limited".
The project started with the aim of conducting a baseline survey of startups in the country since March 2020.
Senior Secretary of ICT Division Mr. N M Zeaul Alam PAA was present as the chief guest at the webinar.
The Executive Director of Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) Parthapratim Deb and Technology Specialist retired professor Dr. M. Kaykobad, Department of CSE, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) were the special guest of the programme.
The online programme was presided over by Project Director (Additional Secretary) of the iDEA Project Syed Mojibul Huq.
About 17 sectors have been included in this survey like- Health, Food Processing, Medicine, Medical Treatment, Transport, Tourism, Legal, RMG Sector, Education, Infrastructure, E-Commerce/ Marketplace, Financial Services, Agriculture, Media & Entertainment, Digital Services, E-Governance, etc.
The survey followed quantitative and qualitative modules, which included telephone interviews, online interviews as well as direct interviews.
The research paper connected a total of 1,196 startups in Bangladesh from 17 sectors.
As parts of the survey, 553 startups quantitative strategies, 5 startups in-depth interviews, 25 startups key-informant interviews and 5 focus group discussions have already been organised with various startup founders, co-founders including youth.
With this survey, it will be easy for the startups of Bangladesh to identify what is important for them, whether they need to change, refine, or amend the legal issues in some areas, said the speakers.
Effective steps will be taken to integrate special recommendations and challenges from startups, including identifying where startups can make a special impact in certain areas of society, which will play an effective role in creating a special and well-organised ecosystem for startups.
Additional Secretary (Planning and Development Wing) Md Mamun-Al-Rashid, Additional Secretary (ICT Wing) Md. Rashadul Islam from ICT Division, President of BGMEA Dr. Rubana Huq, President of BASIS Syed Almas Kabir, President of e-CAB Shomi Kaiser, President of BACCO Wahidur Rahman Sharif, Founder and CEO of Technohaven Company Limited Habibullah N Karim, Bangladesh Intellectual Property Forum's Founder Barrister ABM Hamidul Mishbah, Professor of the Department of CSE of KUET Dr M. M. A. Hashem, Technology Expert Engr. Rahman Rakib and many other professionals attended at the webinar.
Besides, professors from different University, ICT experts, high officials from ICT Division and heads of different associations & trade body including BGMEA, BASIS, BACCO, ECAB were present at the programme and gave important views and suggestions on the preliminary report of the survey.
The final report will be released soon at the end of all survey activities, the iDEA project authority shared.
