LAUNCHPAD BY UIHP@UIU: Startup Innovation Cohort Starts for All Universities

United International University, proudly launched its signature innovation cohort program ‘LAUNCHPAD BY UIHP@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).

Supported by the backing of WORLD BANK, LAUNCHPAD BY UIHP@UIU, in its first round, invites students, faculties, 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 https://uihp.org within 15 October 2024.

Shortlisted teams will then have a customized hybrid mentorship session of nearly 16 weeks, nearly 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 consists of pitching in front of a jury board to win pre-seed funding and institutional support for the commercialization of prospective ventures, scheduled in early 2025.

The competition is open to all universities in Bangladesh and was launched through a webinar and briefing session recently 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 as well as Professor Khondaker A. Mamun, PhD. - Director, Institute of Research, Innovation, Incubation & Commercialisation (IRIIC), UIU and Mr. Md Latiful Khabir - National Program Coordinator, UIHP, BHTPA.

LAUNCHPAD BY UIHP@UIU is designed to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across universities in Bangladesh and Empower students and researchers to become entrepreneurs and innovators, contributing to the economic development of Bangladesh. More about the program can be found on the website: https://uihp.org/university-circular/3, and the program's FB page is the University Innovation Hub Program- UIU Cohort.

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