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.