University Incubators: A Catalyst for Bangladesh’s Startup Ecosystem

As Bangladesh's startup ecosystem continues to expand rapidly, the role of university incubators in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship has never been more critical.

To explore sustainable models for university-driven startup support, North South University's startup incubator, NSU Startups Next (NSUSN), hosted an exclusive roundtable titled "The Role of University Incubators in Fostering Bangladesh's Startup Ecosystem." The event occurred on February 17, 2025, at North South University.

With over 1,200 active startups contributing to Bangladesh's economic progress, incubators within academic institutions serve as vital launchpads, providing aspiring entrepreneurs mentorship, funding opportunities, and industry connections. However, challenges such as financial constraints, operational inefficiencies, and limited collaboration with government and private sectors persist, hindering their long-term sustainability. This roundtable convened key stakeholders to discuss viable solutions and policy recommendations for strengthening university incubation programs nationwide.

The event brought together renowned academics, policymakers, investors, and industry experts to assess the effectiveness of university incubators and propose actionable strategies for their growth.

Distinguished panelists included Prof. Abdul Hannan Chowdhury (Vice-Chancellor, NSU), Prof. Abdur Rob Khan (Treasurer and Pro-VC In-Charge, NSU), Rahat Ahmed (Founder & Managing Partner, Anchorless Bangladesh), Waiz Rahim (Venture Partner, Sturgeon Capital), and Monjur Mohammad Shahriar (Project Director, DEIED-Project, BHTPA), alongside successful NSU alum entrepreneurs such as Anayet Rashid (Founder & CEO, Truck Lagbe) and Fahad Ifaz (Co-founder and CEO, iFarmer). Their insights were instrumental in shaping a robust framework for university incubators in Bangladesh.

As the key points were discussed,  Monjur Mohammad Shahriar (Project Director, DEIED-Project, BHTPA) remarked on the state of students in today's startup ecosystem, emphasising the importance of addressing their knowledge limitations. He added, "Many ideas seem new to students simply because they haven't encountered them before. The real challenge is bridging this knowledge gap."

During further conversations and deliberations, Rahat Ahmed (Founder and Managing Partner of Anchorless Bangladesh) stated, "A strong startup ecosystem requires balance—government support must be complemented by private sector investment to ensure long-term success. Ignoring global standards prevents Bangladeshi startups from scaling internationally. To compete on the world stage, we must embrace best practices."

Samuel Mursalin, Director (IC), NSU Startups Next, moderator, added, "University incubators are more than just startup launchpads—they are engines of economic transformation. By fostering industry collaboration and aligning policies with the needs of emerging entrepreneurs, we can ensure that these incubation centres remain sustainable and impactful."

The roundtable resulted in a strategic roadmap for self-sustaining university incubators, policy recommendations for government support, and enhanced industry-academia collaboration. By bridging gaps in funding, mentorship, and regional accessibility, the initiative aimed to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs in Bangladesh.

The roundtable allowed industry leaders, policymakers, and aspiring startup founders to contribute to a crucial national dialogue on fostering innovation through academia.