Banglalink Launches Its Report on the State of Digital Entrepreneurship in Bangladesh

The Digital Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Bangladesh White Paper has been developed by Banglalink Sustainability and Digital teams in collaboration with VEON under the Make Your Mark programme which aims at empowering youth through technology.

VEON commissioned grassroots research into the digital entrepreneurial environments in Russia, Ukraine, Algeria, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The aim was to analyze each ecosystem by a number of factors, including internet and smartphone penetration, ICT talent, regulation, customer base, education and the investment available. The research highlights the role of mobile operators in supporting a digital entrepreneurial ecosystem.

As part of the study, consultants AT Kearney interviewed VEON senior managers, as well market stakeholders, entrepreneurs, universities and business schools, investors, accelerators, ICT corporations and government representatives.

Learn How Bangladesh can build a world-class digital ecosystem by downloading the white paper here

In Bangladesh, around 200 startups are launched annually. The ecosystem benefits from a large young demographic, an urban population of 34 percent, fast-growing consumer spending, and the adoption of mobile financial services. Government initiatives like Digital Bangladesh 2021 are supported by labs and incubators for startups.

Lack of infrastructure, a relatively small market and lack of venture capital are ongoing challenges, alongside low internet penetration and appetite for technology, limited options for monetization models, and the lack of a skilled workforce. For Bangladesh to exploit its potential, stakeholders need to work together. For example, corporations could provide sales and marketing support, while the government needs to ensure timely adoption of strategy 2021.