Academic incubators can be game changers for bangladesh’s innovation economy

s Bangladesh propels itself towards a digitally driven economy, academic institutions are increasingly playing a pivotal role in nurturing a new generation of entrepreneurs. This ambition came into focus during a key session titled "Academic Incubators – Nurturing Changemakers", held at the Social Business Academia Dialogue and 3ZERO Club Convention 2025, organised by the Yunus Centre at North South University (NSU).

Moderated by Samuel Mursalin, Director (In-Charge) of NSU Startups Next, the session brought together leaders from academia, the government, and the startup sector to explore how university-led incubators can catalyse innovation, employment, and inclusive economic growth across the country.

Opening the session, Mr Mursalin stated that academic incubators should be viewed as launchpads for purpose-driven ventures. "When institutions effectively connect knowledge with execution, they unlock scalable solutions to real-world challenges," he said.

Dr Sakib Bin Amin, Associate Professor of Economics at NSU, outlined the macroeconomic benefits of incubation, noting that incubators help reduce brain drain, enhance competitiveness, and create pathways for young innovators to access mentorship, capital, and global markets.

From a policy perspective, Monjur Mohammad Shahriar, Project Director of the DEIED Project at the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority, shared the government's initiatives to foster academic innovation. He noted that BHTPA is working with 22 universities to establish innovation hubs and run structured soft skills training programmes. Among the success stories he highlighted were student-led projects like military drones from BRAC University, compact power banks developed at the University of Chittagong, and sustainable food startups led by rural youth.

Private sector voice Zia Ashraf, Co-Founder and COO of Chaldal, underlined the need for stronger connections between academia and industry. Reflecting on the role of artificial intelligence in scaling businesses, he noted that real-world data is key to AI effectiveness, positioning academia as a vital source of knowledge.

Dr Rafiuddin Ahmed, Professor at the University of Dhaka and founder of InnoKids, stressed the importance of early entrepreneurial development. He urged stakeholders to equip students with practical skills for freelancing, content creation, and social entrepreneurship by the age of 18.

Zeenat T. Islam, Relations Manager at the Yunus Centre, echoed these sentiments, highlighting that Bangladesh's universities are increasingly producing globally informed yet locally grounded solutions. She emphasised that collaboration between academia and industry must be further institutionalised.

Dr Shazzad Hosain, Dean of SEPS at NSU, noted that real innovation begins when students are exposed to real-world problems, and that incubators provide a space where theoretical learning can be applied in practice. Sajid Amit, Associate Professor at ULAB, added that to maintain momentum, these efforts must be embedded in a consistent national innovation framework.

The session concluded with remarks from Prof Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of NSU, who called for deeper collaboration among universities, industry, and government. Citing examples from neighbouring countries where global tech firms like Meta and Apple are engaging with academic institutions, he encouraged Bangladesh to pursue similar goals. "Let us build a campus and a country that solves problems, not just consumes solutions," he said.

NSU Startups Next, the university's flagship incubation programme, has supported more than 600 early-stage entrepreneurs and facilitated over USD 2.1 million in funding. Through its structured programmes, it continues to advance inclusive, scalable innovation driven by academic excellence.

"Bangladesh has the ideas, the energy, and the talent," said Mr Mursalin in closing. "Now, our mission is to keep building the bridges that turn this potential into progress."