Staff Correspondent:

Bangladesh Bank is planning to set up a dedicated fund of nearly Tk900 crore to provide capital support to startup companies, Governor Ahsan H Mansur announced on Monday (April 7 ) at the  Bangladesh Investment Summit.

“The central bank is planning to create a special fund of nearly Tk900 crore, which will exclusively provide capital to startup companies,” he said during the “Startup Connect” session of the ongoing Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 at the Hotel InterContinental Dhaka.

He added that an official circular regarding the initiative will be issued soon.

Speaking at the the four-day Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 at the Hotel InterContinental Dhaka, he said Bangladesh Bank would grow this fund from private commercial banks and they will be equity holders.

The money will be used only for equity investment in promising startup businesses, he said at the session titled “Bangladesh Startup Connect,” held at the city hotel.

Bangladesh Bank will also contribute nearly Tk500 crore as co-financer, with the money used for equity investment and lending also, he added.

“This is the starting point for the startup businesses, we want to grow this fund along with the growth of the startup sector,” he said.

While the formal inauguration of the summit is scheduled for 9 April, the event officially commenced with the launch of Bangladesh Startup Connect 2025, a flagship segment showcasing the nation’s vibrant startup ecosystem.

The Startup Expo, also being held at the same venue, has brought together global investors, visionary startup founders, and ecosystem enablers to explore opportunities within Bangladesh’s rapidly growing digital economy.

The session, titled “Empowering Innovation, Connecting Opportunity”, featured participation from both domestic and international innovators.

In the keynote address, Canada-based Bangladeshi entrepreneur Tanvir Ali highlighted the potential of the country’s youth population and the rising demand for innovative ventures.

“Bangladesh is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, yet investment in startups still lags behind peer nations,” he noted.

A virtual message from LinkedIn’s co-founder was also shared during the session, which included the presence of the Bida chairman, Bangladesh Bank governor, and key figures from the ICT sector.