BYLC and Netherlands launch Chattogram ideation challenge

Bangladesh Youth Leadership Centre (BYLC) hosted an Inception Ceremony on Monday to officially launch the Chattogram Ideation Challenge (CIC), an initiative supported by the Kingdom of the Netherlands designed to equip young entrepreneurs with the skills, mentorship, and funding needed to turn their ideas into successful businesses.

The event was presided over by BYLC's Executive Director, Tahsinah Ahmed, who welcomed distinguished guests, including His Excellency Jurriaan Middelhoff, the Dutch Ambassador for Youth, Education, and Work; Thijs Woudstra, Chargé d'Affaires at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; and Erik Parigger, Programme Coordinator of Orange Corners at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). It brought together industry leaders, university representatives, and aspiring entrepreneurs to strengthen Chattogram's entrepreneurial ecosystem, reflecting the growing momentum for a vibrant startup culture in the region.

Speakers at the ceremony stressed the importance of youth-driven innovation in fostering a sustainable and thriving private sector in Chattogram.

In her welcome speech, Tahsinah Ahmed, Executive Director of BYLC, said, "We are proud to launch our first-ever Entrepreneurship Program in Chattogram, a city that's not just an industrial powerhouse but a rising epicentre of young visionaries, ambition, and future business leaders."

"Youth participation in programme's like the Chattogram Ideation Challenge is crucial for securing follow-up funding and driving sustainable innovation, while the private sector can play a consequential role in empowering young entrepreneurs who are the key to generating the 2.3 million jobs Bangladesh needs." said His Excellency Jurriaan Middelhoff, the Dutch Ambassador for Youth, Education, and Work.

A detailed overview of the Chattogram Ideation Challenge (CIC) was presented at the event. The Chattogram Ideation Challenge (CIC) will provide participants with hands-on training, mentorship from industry experts, and a structured process to refine and develop their business ideas. Young entrepreneurs will compete through a rigorous selection process from where 20 teams will be selected for a 2-day Bootcamp in April 2025. In the boot camp, participants will be trained in design thinking, project management, financial planning, team leadership, and product-market fit. After the boot camp, teams will pitch their businesses to a jury that will choose the best three business ideas. These three teams will each receive a grant of BDT 100,000 and enter an 8-week incubation to develop Minimum Viable Products (MVPs). In the final pitch round, the top team will get an additional grant of BDT 400,000 to scale their venture.

With the launch of the Chattogram Ideation Challenge, BYLC reaffirms its commitment to creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs, driving economic growth, and strengthening Chattogram's startup ecosystem.