Bangladesh Bank Set to Launch Tk 900cr Fund for Startups

Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Ahsan H Mansur announced today that the central bank is preparing to establish a dedicated startup fund worth between Tk 800 crore and Tk 900 crore, aimed at accelerating the growth of the country’s burgeoning startup ecosystem.

“This fund will be channelled through commercial banks to ensure smooth disbursement to promising startups,” Mansur said, speaking at a panel discussion during the inaugural session of Bangladesh Startup Connect 2025, held at Hotel Intercontinental, Dhaka.

The flagship event, a key part of the broader Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025, is being hosted under the inspiring theme: "Empowering Innovation, Connecting Opportunities." Jointly organised by Startup Bangladesh Limited, the ICT Division, and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), the summit highlights the transformative role of startups in shaping Bangladesh’s economic future and integrating into global investment networks.

The event commenced with an inaugural ceremony and a keynote speech by Tanveer Ali, Chairman of Constellation Asset Management Company Ltd. and Independent Director of Startup Bangladesh Limited. His address underscored the significance of nurturing innovation and fostering global investment connections.

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

In his remarks, Governor Mansur expressed optimism about the future of Bangladeshi startups, citing bKash as a homegrown success story.
“I want to see at least 10 unicorns like bKash emerge from Bangladesh in the coming years,” he said, envisioning a dynamic startup landscape driving the economy forward.

Adding to this, Shish Haider Chowdhury revealed that the government is actively preparing a 'Fund of Funds' by pooling investments from various sources. This initiative, he noted, is designed to provide crucial backing for early and growth-stage startups, helping them scale operations, enter international markets, and sustain long-term growth.

"Startup Connect 2025 stands as a testament to Bangladesh's commitment to becoming a global innovation hub," Chowdhury emphasised. "This platform unites the brightest minds and boldest ideas—from youth-led startups in rural districts to global venture capitalists looking for the next big opportunity."

Throughout the day, the event will feature startup pitches, high-level policy roundtables, and sector-focused sessions spanning FinTech, SaaS, Logistics, Health Tech, AgriTech, EdTech, and AI. Broader themes such as gender-lens investing, public-private partnerships, and impact-driven entrepreneurship will also be explored, reflecting the depth and ambition of Bangladesh's startup ecosystem.