16 crore on the table for Seedstars World winner

Seedstars World, the global seed-stage startup competition for emerging markets and fast-growing startup scenes, is returning to Dhaka on October 19. Seedstars World is travelling to over 65 countries to find the best seed-stage entrepreneurs, and give them the opportunity to win up to USD 1 million and network with investors and mentors from around the world. Seedstars Dhaka is being organised in conjunction with Digital World 2016 by BetterStories and the ICT Division.

Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Hon'ble State Minister of ICT Division presided over the Meet the Press session on October 13 as Chief Guest. Also present were: Hosne Ara Begum, Managing Director, Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority; Faisal Kabir, Manager (Innovation & Ecosystem), White-Board; Nick Feneck, Asian Representative, Seedstars World; Minhaz Anwar, Managing Director, BetterStories; and Shahriar Rahman, Program Lead, Seedstars World.

8 of the best seed-stage startups in Bangladesh will be chosen to pitch for the chance to attend the annual Seedstars Summit in Switzerland. The winning startup from Seedstars Dhaka will also get the chance to participate at the Regional Summit in Bangkok.

While addressing the guests, State Minister Palak said, "The startups and corporations of the West are not familiar with the needs of this region. Hence, we must make sure we are  in charge of the innovation. Since our local startup system is still growing, we need more teachings from the top ecosystems. That is why we are partnering with Seedstars World. I would also like to announce that if our startups secure any funding from abroad, we will match the funding from our end."

Participants can register for the competition at: bit.do/sswdhaka. Find out more about the main event at: www.seedstarsworld.com/event/seedstars-dhaka-2016/.