100 social businesses launched

Yunus Centre Social Business Design Lab, a platform promoting projects based on Prof Muhammad Yunus's idea, yesterday crossed a milestone of producing more than 100 projects.    
The disclosure came at the 14th Yunus Centre Social Business Design Lab at the Grameen Bank auditorium in Dhaka, Yunus Centre said in a statement.
The Nobel laureate provided a summary of the projects presented at the lab so far. Of the 113 projects, 97 were approved for implementation, 36 are operational and 54 received investments, getting prepared to start the business soon.
Investors have already put in over Tk 1.25 crore
in these social business projects.
At the lab, 14 new social business plans were presented, including 12 new entrepreneurs' projects and businesses launched by young entrepreneurs who are the children of Grameen Bank families.

In addition, a social business of Red Worm Vermicompost to produce organic fertiliser from earth worms by Sazzad Hossain and another project—Tripty Handicrafts—by Luke Swanson, were also presented.
All of the 14 projects received a go-ahead, which will be finalised for investment and implementation as next step, according to the statement.
Agreements were also signed for the launch of seven social businesses.
Grameen Kalyan signed two agreements: one with Habib Dairy and another with Jahangir Engineering Workshop, the Yunus Centre also said.
Grameen Trust signed four deals with Adhare Alo Enterprise, Faruk Information and Community Centre, Jalal's Homemade Bag and Khaja Tiles and Sanitary.
The next design lab will take place on May 3.