Orange Corners Bangladesh enters new phase till 2028

Orange Corners Bangladesh, a global initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, has officially announced the launch of its next phase, extending the programme from 2026 to 2028.

The announcement was made at a high-level event organised by YY Ventures at Grameen Telecom Bhaban in Dhaka. The event also marked the graduation of Cohort 5 and the induction of Cohort 6 of the programme.

Implemented by YY Ventures, the upcoming three-year phase will deepen support for young entrepreneurs across Bangladesh, with a stronger focus on ecosystem engagement, expanded incubation and acceleration support, and clearer pathways to investment for youth-led businesses. The extension reinforces Orange Corners Bangladesh's commitment to building sustainable enterprises that contribute to job creation and long-term economic growth.

Since its launch in 2023, Orange Corners Bangladesh has supported more than 70 early-stage enterprises across sectors including the circular economy, agriculture, water, ICT, education and health. With a strong emphasis on youth leadership, women entrepreneurs and founders from outside Dhaka, the programme has played a significant role in expanding access to entrepreneurship support nationwide.

The event brought together Dutch and Bangladeshi private sector leaders, investors, public sector representatives, mentors, partners and entrepreneurs to reflect on the programme's progress and future direction, while strengthening connections between the private sector and youth-led enterprises supported through Orange Corners Bangladesh.

Opening the event, Joris van Bommel, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bangladesh, said, "The Netherlands is proud to invest in young entrepreneurs building businesses with both economic and social impact. Orange Corners remains a flagship example of how supporting young changemakers contributes to Bangladesh's long-term development."

Representing the government, Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority, highlighted the importance of public–private collaboration in advancing entrepreneurship and economic development.

"We need young entrepreneurs outside the established system to identify real problems in the local marketplace so that the government and the country can address them effectively," he said. Addressing the entrepreneurs, he added, "Some of the problems that government advisers are struggling to solve may already have solutions among you, the young changemakers."

The event celebrated the graduation of Cohort 5 while welcoming Cohort 6, creating opportunities for knowledge sharing and early engagement across the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

As Orange Corners Bangladesh enters its next three-year phase, the programme will continue strengthening the country's entrepreneurial ecosystem by supporting youth-led businesses with the tools, networks and capital needed to scale sustainably.