NSUSN moderated NEID 2025 dialogue held

North South University Startups Next (NSUSN) played a key role in the National Education and Innovation Dialogue 2025, organised by the Bangladesh Brand Forum at North South University.

The event aimed to reshape Bangladesh's education and innovation ecosystem by addressing pressing issues like youth unemployment, income inequality, and the underperformance of the ICT sector.

NSUSN led the second panel discussion, "Unlocking Bangladesh's Startup Ecosystem: Challenges and Opportunities," moderated by Samuel Mursalin, Director in Charge of NSUSN. The session featured prominent NSUSN mentors, including Sadia Haque (Founder and CEO of ShareTrip), Sylvana Quader Sinha (Founder and CEO of Praava Health), Bijon Islam (Co-founder and CEO of LightCastle Partners), and Md. Shazzad Hosain, PhD (Professor and dean of SEPS at NSU).

The discussion identified key barriers for startups, such as limited access to finance, high interest rates, and a lack of mentorship. Panelists emphasised the need for venture capital networks, government-backed funding, and structured incubators to foster innovation and entrepreneurial growth. 

Securing investment is one of the most challenging and crucial stages of establishing a startup. Sadia Haque, Founder and CEO of ShareTrip, advises that securing the right type of funding is essential.

"Taking loans as an early-stage startup is an additional burden for a youngster because the criteria and conditions for loans are very detrimental for the sustainability of the business, " as Sadia Haque suggested. 

Sylvana Quader Sinha, Founder and CEO of Praava Health, believes that changes in regulations and policy can reshape the startup ecosystem.

"We need stricter regulations in healthcare than less to protect the consumers. We have only eight international standard pharmaceutical laboratories to facilitate 160 million people," Sylvana told The Business Standard.

The session concluded with recommendations for a startup-friendly regulatory framework, global market access, and stronger industry-academia collaboration.

NSUSN remains committed to empowering young entrepreneurs and driving impactful change in Bangladesh's startup ecosystem.