DT e-Paper, Saturday, October 15, 2016

Biz Info
19
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2016
DT
| event |
Seedstars World to find the best startup in Bangladesh
Seedstars World, the global
seed-stage startup competition
for emerging markets and
fast-growing startup scenes, is
returning to Dhaka on October
19, 2016. In line with its mission
to place the spotlight on
entrepreneurs from emerging
markets, Seedstars World is
travelling to more than 65
countries this year to identify the
best seed-stage entrepreneurs and
provide them with an opportunity
to win up to USD 1 million and
network with investors and
mentors from around the world.
Seedstars Dhaka is being organized
in conjunction to the Digital
World 2016 by BetterStories and
ICT Division. Further support is
provided by Digital Bangladesh
Initiative, Digital World 2016, ICT
Division, Bangladesh Computer
Council, International Trade
Centre, Bangladesh Hi-Tech
Park Authority, White-board, BD
Venture, LICT, CBI Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, EMK Center etc.
In addition Seedstars World has
partnered with TRECC to bring the
“Transforming Education Prize”
which will award the best startup
in the education space from
around the world with a prize of
over USD 50,000.
A lively ‘Meet the Press’ session
was held to inform the press and
media about this year’s Seedstars
World 2016 competition at the
Janata Tower Software Technology
Park. Zunaid Ahmed Palak, State
Minister of ICT Division presided
over the event as the Chief Guest
of the press conference. Shyam
Sunder Sikder, Secretary of ICT
division attended the event as a
Special 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 of Seedstars
World; Minhaz Anwar, Managing
Director BetterStories and Shahriar
Rahman, Program Lead, Seedstars
World.
Up to 8 of the best seed
stage startups in Bangladesh
will be invited to pitch for the
opportunity to compete at the
Seedstars Summit, that annually
takes place in Switzerland. The
winning startup from Seedstars
Dhaka will also participate and
gain from the Regional Summit,
due to take place in Bangkok in
early December.
The companies selected to
pitch at the Seedstars Dhaka
event need to be less than 2 years
old, have raised less than USD
500,000 in funding and have
built a minimum viable product,
ideally with existing traction. The
Seedstars World team is searching
for one additional criterion - the
startup’s regional and global
scalability. With a strong network
of international partners such as
Inmarsat, INADEM, Standard Bank
and Deloitte, Seedstars World is
looking for smart startups that
solve regional issues and develop
profitable products for the global
market, to support their regional
businesses and growth.
Participants can register for
the competition here: http://bit.
do/sswdhaka and find details
about the main event here: http://
www.seedstarsworld.com/event/
seedstars-dhaka-2016/ •
| meals | | appointment |
World food at Lake Terrace
Shahid Uddin Akbar selected as
new APTN Chair
Because food, like a loving
touch or a soothing voice, has
the ability to comfort and heal,
Lake Terrace brings you flavours
from all around the world.
This October, let your World
Tour begin at Lake Terrace by
indulging in their eclectic meals.
The all-inclusive Eclectic Carte
(BDT 1,300) includes:
Entrée: Grilled Squid (6 pcs)
Main: Lebanese Chicken with
sides of capsicum fried rice and
zesty baby garlic potatoes
Dessert: Sizzling Brownie
Refreshment: Lemon Shock
For reservations, call
+8801618377223
For further details, Visit
https:www.facebook.com/
laketerrace •
The executive committee of
Asia Pacific Telecentre Network
(APTN) voted Shahid Uddin
Akbar as the new chairman
for the next three years, and
Bangladesh Institute of ICT in
Development (BIID) will be the
host organisation for this regional
network. APTN is a regional
network of ICT4D practitioners
and organisations comprising
membership of eight countries,
namely Bangladesh, Cambodia,
Fiji, India, Pakistan, Philippines,
Srilanka and Thailand. APTN
was initiated by UNESCAP and
Telecentre.org Foundation to
promote ICT4D, focusing on
telecentres in Asia Pacific region.
Shahid Uddin Akbar is the chief
executive officer of BIID and
past national president, JCI
Bangladesh, and is also serving
many different organisations in
various capacities. APTN will
foster collaborative initiatives
among member countries and
beyond for knowledge sharing,
expert support and expanding
networks as priority activities. •