Leadership
Expert Team

Murtuza Zulkar Nain Noman (Joint Secretary)
Email: murtuza.zn.noman@gmail.com
After taking an interesting journey in KSA as Economic Counsellor & Economic Minister which started amidst Covid 19 and later stepped into the fast changing socio-economic & geo-political scenario of Bangladesh, KSA and the whole world, i am back to my beloved country in January 2025. During my stay in KSA slightly more than 04 years, walking thorough the exciting world of the economic diplomacy i could bag quite a few remarkable success. It was also a spiritual journey for me.
Now, i am working as a bureaucrat, policy maker and manager at the Information and Communication Technology Division of the Government with the special focuses on Innovation Design & Entrepreneurship Development along with Reform Management & Policy Research.
On the crossroad between Human Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence, i am far more excited and enjoying the journey.

Shohag Chandra Das
Mr. Shohag Chandra Das is a highly accomplished management professional and communication expert known for his significant contributions to the development of the corporate industry in Bangladesh.
Mr. Das has about 15 years of working experience and His expertise spans different domains, including Communication, Corporate & Regulatory Affairs, Government & Corporate Relations, Media Relations, PR Management, Publication, Marketing, Branding, Program & Projects management, Customer Service, working with the startup community, and leading students-based communities.
Currently, Mr. Das serves as the National Consultant for Communication and plays a leading role in communication at the iDEA project of Bangladesh Computer Council in the ICT Division under the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh since 2019.
His academic background includes a Bachelor's degree in Business Studies (BBS) from the National University of Bangladesh, which he completed in 2011. He further pursued a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Human Resource Management at BiMS College in 2013 which is certified by the Association of Business Practitioners (ABP), UK. Later, Mr. Das completed his Master's in Management (MBS) from the National University in Bangladesh. To enhance his understanding of organizational law and operational development, he completed LL.B. from National Law College, Dhaka.
Mr. Das initiated his professional journey in the Telecom sector at Robi Axiata Ltd. Later, he gained valuable experience working with different organizations in different sectors, including a group of companies, trade bodies, and government entities; like- Grameen Phone, Hameem Group, BASIS etc. Notably, he served as the Lead of Corporate Affairs at one of Bangladesh's largest ridesharing and technology companies, "Pathao Ltd."
Throughout his career, Mr. Das has been instrumental in spearheading numerous initiatives and projects that have left a significant impact on Bangladesh's innovation and entrepreneurship landscape. He has been actively involved in projects like Startup Compass, Innovation Expo 2022, Digital World 2020, Startup World Cup, National Hackathon on Frontier Technologies (NHFT), ideaTHON, Smart Women Entrepreneurs Grant Giving Ceremony 2022, and Student to Startup (Chapter-2).
One of his most prestigious accomplishments includes serving as the lead of communication and PR for the ICPC International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) World Finals held in Dhaka in 2022, a remarkable achievement that showcased his dedication and expertise.
In addition to his leadership roles in these initiatives, Mr. Das is a skilled content writer proficient in both Bangla and English, adept at crafting news content for print, electronic media, and official purposes, effectively spreading the initiatives and achievements of the projects he has been associated with across the country.
Aside from his corporate roles, Shohag Chandra Das was actively engaged with students through the leadership of the BASIS Students Forum. He was involved in several renowned projects such as IT JOB Fair 2017 & 2018, Digital World 2016 & 2017, Connecting Startups Bangladesh, BASIS SoftExpo 2017 & 2018, BASIS National ICT Awards 2017 & 2018, ICT Oscar- APICTA Awards 2017, Career Camp, and more as in the leading role.
One of his most notable achievements was leading the NASA Space Apps Challenge 2016 & 2017 from Bangladesh, which was an innovative project of The National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA).
Throughout 15 years of professional experience, Mr. Das takes immense pride in his journey, marked by his unwavering commitment to innovation, technological advancement, and community leadership. His contributions have not only reshaped the corporate landscape in Bangladesh but also made a profound impact on the lives of entrepreneurs and startups, paving the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for the country.
Facebook Account | Linkedin Account | X (Twitter) Account
Email: shohag.das@idea.gov.bd
Background
The Innovation Design and Entrepreneurship Academy (iDEA) Project, initiated by the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC), is a pioneering effort under the ICT Division of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh that promotes innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. Since its launch, the project has focused on building a strong startup ecosystem and supporting the youth to turn their innovative ideas into successful ventures. With the goal of making Bangladesh a knowledge and IT-based economy, the iDEA Project keeps empowering the next generation of thinkers, innovators and startups.
Started in 2016, the iDEA Project aims to build a culture of innovation by helping startups, innovators, SMEs, and entrepreneurs to grow. It plays an important role in engaging the youth with ICT-based innovation and giving them the tools to solve real-life problems. Through grants, mentorship, and skill-building programme, the project creates new opportunities for young entrepreneurs, enabling them to actively contribute to the nation's digital progress.
The iDEA Project provides a variety of valuable services to help startups, innovators, and SME entrepreneurs to grow and succeed. It offers pre-seed grants of up to BDT 10 lakh to startups and BDT 50 thousand for SMEs. Entrepreneurs also get free access to the co-working spaces and the iDEA Lab for testing and developing their products. The project also arranges mentorship, training sessions, and skill development programme to strengthen the business ideas of startups and entrepreneurs. It also connects startups to national and international events, expos, and boot camps, offering effective networking opportunities. iDEA collaborates with investors, academic institutions, and private organizations to create a strong support platform. These services support translating new ideas into sustainable businesses across Bangladesh’s growing startup ecosystem.
The iDEA Project has played a pivotal role in transforming Bangladesh’s startup ecosystem. Since its inception, it has selected over 400 startups for funding, with more than 90 currently in the growth stage. These startups belong to 17 categories and benefit from regular mentoring, training, and development support. So far, iDEA-supported startups have created about 7,000 direct and over 100,000 indirect jobs, significantly contributing to employment and innovation. Additionally, they have drawn in over BDT 3,000 crore in foreign investments, increasing Bangladesh's visibility in the startup world on a worldwide scale. Furthermore, till April 2025, grants of BDT 11,64,50,000 have been provided to 2,329 SME entrepreneurs, each of whom received BDT 50,000. As of April 2025, 357 individuals and 134 startups had benefited from the project's co-working facility, which features dedicated workstations for active users. These initiatives are helping early-stage businesses overcome challenges and grow sustainably. Notably, Startup Bangladesh Limited, the country’s first and only government-backed flagship venture capital emerged from the iDEA Project and continues to support the wider startup ecosystem.
To sum up, the iDEA Project is influencing Bangladesh's innovation and startup ecosystem. It is not just a project but a venture that brings ideas to life and drives digital transformation. iDEA project is serving to strengthen Bangladesh's economy by assisting entrepreneurs, startups and talented individuals.
Project Objectives
- To create an innovation ecosystem and an entrepreneur-friendly environment in Bangladesh;
- To preserve intellectual resources;
- To promote a technology-driven platform for innovation and entrepreneurship;
- To enhance the capacity of young innovators;
- To identify innovative ideas and provide an institutional framework for their development;
- To develop innovative ICT products and services in the interest of the public and the nation;
- To support the commercialization and branding of innovative products.
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