Scholarships and mentorship create a supportive ecosystem that empowers students to overcome obstacles and achieve their educational and career goals. That’s why CrossRoads Initiative is taking steps to assist the youth and students on this. The innovative approach of the startup, leverages peer-to-peer mentorship, connecting over 50,000 high school students annually with university students.
CrossRoads Initiative, founded in 2019, empowers Bangladeshi students from low-income backgrounds with scholarship opportunities and mentorship for education both domestically and abroad. The organization’s founders, including CEO Sadid Bin Hasan, drew inspiration from personal and community struggles with educational access, motivating them to form this transformative platform.
Scholarship opportunities are essential for alleviating the financial barriers that often prevent Bangladeshi students from low-income backgrounds from accessing higher education. Personalized mentorship provides tailored guidance and support, helping these students navigate academic challenges and make informed decisions about their futures. Together, scholarships and mentorship create a supportive ecosystem that empowers students to overcome obstacles and achieve their educational and career goals. That’s why CrossRoads Initiative is taking steps to assist the youth and students on this. The innovative approach of the startup, leverages peer-to-peer mentorship, connecting over 50,000 high school students annually with university students. This unique model, complemented by the startup’s cost-effective training programs, distinctly positions it against competitors who charge exorbitantly for similar services.
Initially, the startup ‘CrossRoads initiative’ faced challenges like funding limitations, market acceptance, and navigating complex legal and IP landscapes. However, its resilient team overcame these through strategic partnerships and leveraging technology to streamline operations and outreach.
Significant milestones include the startup’s recognition with the Diana Award in 2021 for social contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic and securing a top spot in Bangladesh's Student to Startup competition of the IDEA Project. The engagement of the startup ‘CrossRoads initiative’ with the iDEA project catalyzed its growth, allowing it to expand its services and impact further.
Currently, CrossRoads Initiative operates with a team of dedicated professionals maintaining a balanced gender ratio and has achieved remarkable organic growth on social media, reaching over 200,000 users with no advertising spend. The operations have significantly scaled, now valuated impressively, with consistent revenue growth.
Looking ahead, the ‘CrossRoads initiative’ aims to expand our mentorship programs and explore new strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. The future of this startup is focused on amplifying its impact on students’ lives, steering them towards bright educational and career paths globally.