BB to launch Tk 900cr startup fund to ignite innovation: Governor

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur announced on Monday that the central bank will launch a dedicated fund of Tk 800–900 crore to support startups across the country to bolster Bangladesh’s innovation ecosystem.

Speaking at the inaugural session of Bangladesh Startup Connect 2025 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dhaka, Governor Mansur said the fund would be routed through commercial banks to ensure wide accessibility for early- and growth-stage ventures.

“We are committed to nurturing the next generation of Bangladeshi unicorns,” Mansur said, pointing to bKash’s success as a benchmark and expressing hope to see at least ten similar success stories emerge in the near future.

The announcement came during a panel discussion at the startup-focused segment of the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025, themed “Empowering Innovation, Connecting Opportunities.”

The session featured key stakeholders including Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for the ICT Division; BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun; and ICT Division Secretary and Startup Bangladesh Ltd Chairman Shish Haider Chowdhury. It was moderated by Sadia Haque, CEO of ShareTrip.

Chowdhury highlighted ongoing government efforts to establish a 'Fund of Funds' to mobilise both public and private investments into the startup ecosystem.

“This initiative will play a crucial role in helping startups scale operations, explore international markets, and build sustainable business models,” he said.

The day-long summit includes startup pitches, policy roundtables, and deep dives into sectors like FinTech, SaaS, Logistics, HealthTech, AgriTech, EdTech, and AI.

One of the highlights of the event is the Youth Innovation Challenge 2025, where 15 promising youth-led ventures are pitching their ideas directly to investors and top decision-makers, further amplifying Bangladesh's growing reputation as a regional innovation hub.

Startup Connect 2025 is being jointly organised by Startup Bangladesh Ltd, the ICT Division, and BIDA—reflecting a strong public-private partnership aimed at transforming the country into a thriving startup destination.