Startup innovation cohort starts for all universities at UIU

United International University proudly launched its signature innovation cohort program 'LAUNCHPAD BY UIHPat UIU' with the support of the University Innovation Hub Program (UIHP) - an initiative under the Digital Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystem Development Project (DEIED), led by the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority (BHTPA).

In its first round, supported by the backing of the World Bank,  launchpad by UIHP at UIU invites students, faculty, and alumni across all universities in Bangladesh to form teams of 3-5 members, with 1 mandatory female member, develop a pitch deck and prototype, and submit the innovative business plan on the submission portal within 15 October 2024. 

Shortlisted teams will then have a customised hybrid mentorship session of nearly 16 weeks, almost 80 hours of guided sessions, and the chance to share their prototype and ideas with industry owners and established start-ups in the country. After mentorship, the final round is pitching to a jury board to win pre-seed funding and institutional support for commercialising prospective ventures, scheduled in early 2025. 

The competition is open to all universities in Bangladesh and was launched recently through a webinar and briefing session amidst the presence of senior administrative personnel and respected faculties of different universities. Key speakers in the webinar were Mr Abul Fatah and Mr Baligur Rahman, Project Director, UIHP, BHTPA, and Professor Khondaker A. Mamun, PhD. - Director, Institute of Research, Innovation, Incubation & Commercialisation (IRIIC), UIU and Mr Md Latiful Khabir - National Programme Coordinator, UIHP, BHTPA.