Published: April 7, 2025, 06:38 PM
He said that an official circular regarding the initiative will be issued soon
Bangladesh Bank is preparing to launch a dedicated fund of nearly Tk900 crore to provide capital support to startup companies, Governor Ahsan H Mansur announced today, 7 April, at the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 held at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka. Speaking during the "Startup Connect" session, the governor said an official circular regarding this initiative will be issued soon.
He explained that the central bank plans to create the fund with contributions from private commercial banks, who will also become equity holders. The fund will be used solely for equity investment in promising startup ventures. Additionally, Bangladesh Bank will contribute nearly Tk500 crore as a co-financer. This portion of the fund will be used for both equity investment and lending to startup businesses.
“This is the starting point for startup businesses. We want to grow this fund along with the growth of the startup sector,” said Ahsan H Mansur. The move aims to bolster the digital economy and nurture innovation-driven enterprises.
Although the summit’s formal inauguration is scheduled for 9 April, it officially began with the launch of Bangladesh Startup Connect 2025, a flagship segment showcasing the country`s vibrant startup ecosystem. The Startup Expo, being held at the same venue, has brought together global investors, visionary startup founders, and ecosystem enablers to explore opportunities in Bangladesh`s rapidly expanding digital economy.
The session titled “Empowering Innovation, Connecting Opportunity” featured participation from both domestic and international innovators. In his keynote address, Canada-based Bangladeshi entrepreneur Tanvir Ali emphasised the potential of Bangladesh’s youth and the rising demand for innovative ventures. He pointed out that although Bangladesh is among the fastest-growing economies in the world, investment in startups still lags behind other comparable nations.
A virtual message from LinkedIn’s co-founder was also presented during the session, which included the participation of the chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida), the governor of Bangladesh Bank, and key stakeholders from the ICT sector.
