Startups to get tech innovation support from eGeneration and Microsoft

Homegrown promising startups in Bangladesh will get tech innovation support from eGeneration and Microsoft for scaling up their platforms and become the next unicorns.

This was announced at a roundtable titled "Building Best in Class and Scalable Startup Platforms" on Monday evening at The Westin Dhaka.

eGeneration and Microsoft jointly organised the event and presented the cases for tech innovation opportunities for these startups with technology support. This includes opportunities like Microsoft for Startups– a program under which startups can get funding, cloud credits etc and ISV Recruitment– a program under which startups can have technical assessment, consultation on app modernization and cloud migration supports.

The roundtable also led the discussion to embrace strategies that help Bangladeshi startups and businesses to integrate industry 4.0 technologies like machine learning, artificial intelligence, big data in latestproductivity tools, andcloud specificsolutionsthat give unparalleled scalability options for their business platforms.

Shameem Ahsan, MD of eGeneration, chaired the discussion session and Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, deputy minister of Education, was present as chief guest in the roundtable along with special guest Brigadier General Md Nasim Parvez, ndc, afwc, psc, director general of Systems and Services Division, BTRC.

Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury stated the importance of startups and Microsoft for setting up this dialogue. He said, "We need our local businesses to thrive and grow rapidly to bring equality in the Bangladesh's digital divide."

"Government has all the intentions to give this sector the needed policy support to streamline processes for the startups" he added.

Shameem Ahsan emphasised that, startups and SMEs have the potential to be the backbone of a developed Bangladesh by bringing foreign investment, employment generation, and export income.

"eGeneration in partnership with Microsoft is working diligently to bring the era of intelligent cloud and digital solutions that enable all these companies, including both public and private local organizations. We have been working closely with the Government, Microsoft and other partners to transform Bangladesh into an innovative high-tech nation," he said.

Brigadier General Md Nasim Parvez mentioned various guidelines that are in place to support the businesses.

He added, "Businesses can make use of available opportunities and create local products to keep the revenues in the country. BTRC, as a regulatory body, is working to bring technologies like IoT and making it easy for you to adapt business models with modern technologies using the telecommunication network."

Lathika Pai, country head India of Venture Capital and Private Equity Partnerships at Microsoft, underscored the trend in Bangladeshi businesses, which got support from Microsoft already.

"Microsoft is working with eGeneration to help these startups to scale up with various programs and technologies to build their businesses." she said.

Hussain M Elius, CEO of Pathao, suggested to develop the policies to better support the startups. "It is the worldwide trend for businesses to use advanced technologies and bringing innovation for local markets. We need to accelerate the innovation in local businesses with proper policies to stand out globally.'' he said.

Rahel Ahmed, CEO of Nagad, articulated how technology has been part of modern businesses, especially a growing fintech company like Nagad.

He said, "Technology has brought automation in our business processes and created space for tech companies to thrive. Businesses need to conceptualize and really have a plan for a strong business proposition to get investments from the venture capitals and financial sector."

SM Ashraful Islam, executive vice chairman of eGeneration; Md Abdullah Al Mamoon, DMD and COO of UCBL; Mashroor Hossain, head of Channel Sales of Microsoft; Jannatul Fardous Popy, partner technology specialist of Microsoft; Emran Abdullah, director, Operations and Sales, eGeneration; Shah Paran, CEO, Handy Mama; Kishwar Hashemee, CEO, Kludio; Sylvana Quader Sinha, CEO, Praava Health; Kashfia Mahmud, CEO, Shadhin; were present at the event.

Zeeshan Kingshuk Huq, co-founder of Sindabad.com; Mohammad Oli Ahad, founder of Intelligent Machines Limited;  Habibul Mustafa Arman, co-founder and CEO of KhaasFood.com;  Asikul Alam Khan, CEO of PriyoShop.com;  Morin Talukder, CEO of Pickaboo; Sanjida Farhana, CEO and founder of poshapets.com; Nahita Nishmin, COO of Cookups; HM Tarikul Kamrul, COO of Evaly; Mustafizur Rahman Sazid, chief operating officer of Butterfly Group; Wahid Sadat Chowdhury, head of IT and ERP, Energypac; joined the round table among many others.