iDE, UNEP close nine-month green entrepreneurship programme
The Restoration Factory Bangladesh 2025 programme, implemented by iDE Bangladesh in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Bridge for Billions, held its closing ceremony on 9 December in Dhaka.
This year's cohort supported fifty early-stage green entrepreneurs from across the country, representing sectors including renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, waste and circularity, water and sanitation, nature-based solutions, sustainable forestry, green manufacturing and eco-friendly consumer products.
Over the nine-month programme, participants received structured business incubation support, expert sessions and mentorship from national and international specialists. The initiative focused on strengthening climate-smart business models, improving investment readiness and equipping entrepreneurs to scale environmentally responsible innovations.
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At the ceremony, seventeen entrepreneurs were shortlisted to pitch their solutions to an expert jury. Their proposals showcased sustainable technologies, low-carbon business models, and practical approaches to community resilience. Four entrepreneurs received US$2,000 grants under the categories of Environmental Impact, Social Impact, Innovation and Technology, and Women Entrepreneur of the Year.
The event also featured a Green Innovation Showcase, where entrepreneurs displayed products and prototypes that drew interest from investors, development partners, and private sector leaders. Senior officials from the Ministry of Planning, UNEP representatives, and leaders from Bangladesh's entrepreneurial ecosystem attended the event.
The Restoration Factory Bangladesh programme continues to support the development of green entrepreneurship, helping innovators contribute to climate resilience and a more sustainable, inclusive economy.
