The “Innovation Design and Entrepreneurship Academy (iDEA) project” of Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) under the ICT Division startedwith the aim of conducting a baseline survey of startups in the countrysince March 2020.

At the end of the preliminary work of this baseline survey, an initial report was presented through a webinar titled “Findings of Baseline Survey on Startups in Bangladesh” on Sunday 28 June 2020by the partner of this survey “Innovative Research & Consultancy (IRC) Limited“.

Hon’ble Senior Secretary of ICT Division Mr. N M Zeaul Alam PAAwas present as the chief guest at this webinar. The executive director of Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) Mr. 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 program. The online program was presided over by the 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. This research paper connected with a total of 1196startups in Bangladesh from 17 sectors. As part 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 organized 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.

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-organized 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 HamidulMishbah, Professor of the Department of CSE of KUET Dr M. M. A. Hashem, Technology Expert Engr. Rahman Rakib and many otherprofessionals attended at the webinar.

Besides, Professors from different University, ICT experts, high officials from ICT Division and heads of different associations & tradebody including BGMEA, BASIS, BACCO, ECAB were present at the program 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 projectauthority shared.