Photo: Courtesy
Grameenphone's startup innovation platform GP Accelerator’s ‘Jelay Jelay Smart Uddyokta’ Bootcamp was held in Dinajpur on Saturday (4 May) with the aim of fostering the potential development of young entrepreneurs. Primarily targeting university students and aspiring young entrepreneurs, the bootcamp has been organised to enhance the skills of interested youth in undertaking new entrepreneurial ventures, providing assistance, networking, and guidance in the areas of upskilling, networking, and funding.
Around 250 entrepreneurs took part in the bootcamp. This regional bootcamp is being organized at 20 places across the country. The programme was held at a hotel in the town attended by Salahuddin Ahmed, Deputy Director, Local Government as the Chief Guest while Md. Mosfekur Rahman, Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic & Estate) Dinajpur, Reza Humayun Farooq Chowdhury, President, Chamber of Commerce and Industries Dinajpur, Khandaker Md. Rawanakul Islam, Deputy Director, Directorate of Youth Development, Dinajpur, Sheikh Mahatabul Haque, Assistant Professor and Supervisor Higher Secondary Branch, Dinajpur Government College Dinajpur, and Vishal Kumar Gupta, Community builder, GP Accelerator-Dinajpur Region, were present as special guests. Noted personalities and participants including local community organizers, startup founders, GP Accelerator (GPA) members, experts and trainers from related industries also took part. Muhammad Sohel Rana, Program Lead of GP Accelerator of Grameenphone, conducted the programme.
The programme was divided into two parts. The first part of the day focused on a workshop on design thinking, covering what design thinking is, its steps, product testing, how to conduct market research, financial modeling, and how to create a pitch deck for investment. Detailed training was provided on the topics. The final phase of the bootcamp, the second part, an Idea Pitching Competition was organised where local entrepreneurs presented various ideas. Among them, solving local problems was given the utmost importance.
Farhana Islam, Head of Environment, Social and Governance at Grameenphone, said "Grameenphone is committed to building inclusive, smart, and knowledge-based economies. Therefore, regional bootcamps by GP Accelerator are being organized to foster the startup ecosystem in the country and empower young entrepreneurs."
She further said that youth are the driving force of the country's future. To build a Smart Bangladesh by 2041, there is no alternative to their intellectual development and skills enhancement. Through this program, youth can acquire necessary education and present their innovative ideas to everyone. We believe that this initiative will contribute to the realization of the vision of Smart Bangladesh along with acquiring necessary skills."
Since its inception in 2015, GP Accelerator has made significant contributions to the startup landscape in the country. Through 50 startups, it has created employment opportunities for five lakh people. GP Accelerator also plays a significant role in the economic development of the country simultaneously. At the programme, the winning team was awarded a prize of Tk one lakh. Startup Bangladesh Ltd. is a Strategic Partner to GP Accelerator.
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