Startup CEO Panel: Perspectives from the Best

Global Entrepreneurship Week is a celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch startups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare. During one week each November, GEW inspires people everywhere through local, national and global activities designed to help them explore their potential as self-starters and innovators.

Global Entrepreneurship Week Around the World

These activities, from large-scale competitions and events to intimate networking gatherings, connect participants to potential collaborators, mentors and even investors—introducing them to new possibilities and exciting opportunities.

The Bangladeshi leg of the week-long event marathon and engagement with entrepreneurs and innovators from around the country was jointly organized by EMK Center and Startup Bangladesh with strategic partnership from LightCastle Partners from November 11-13, 2018.

LightCastle Partners hosted three panel discussions: “Startup CEO Panel: Perspectives from the Best”, “Sector Themed Talk: RMG and Accessories”, and “Incubation and Acceleration: Pushing the Bangladesh Startup/SME Ecosystem forward”.

The Startup CEO Panel: Perspectives from the Best was conducted on November 11, 2018 at Startup Bangladesh, ICT Division from 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM. The panel included Mr. Adnan Imtiaz Halim, Co-founder and CEO of Sheba.xyz, Mr. Waseem Alim, Co-founder and CEO of Chaldal.com, Ms. Maliha Quader, Founder and Managing Director of Shohoz.com, Mr. Zeeshan Kingshuk, CEO of Zero Gravity Ventures, and Mr. Mirajul Huq, CEO, Bagdoom as panelists and Mr. Samad Miraly, Co-founder, Startup Dhaka and Executive Director, Olympic Industries Ltd. as the moderator.

From Right to Left: Samad Miraly, Adnan Imtiaz Halim, Zeeshan Kingshuk, Maliha Quadir, Waseem Alim, and Mirajul Haque

The panel discussion began with the panelists explaining the motivations behind working in the specific industry/sector and some of the challenges they have faced building a startup from the ground in Bangladesh. All of the panelists agreed that due to high internet penetration, increasing use of smartphones and a tech-adaptive youth population, there is a large potential for businesses operating on the internet to grow. But in order for that to happen companies need to follow strict data protection principles and guidelines which is becoming a contentious issue in current times.

The panel discussion was participated by young professionals and startup entrepreneurs as well as aspiring entrepreneurs who are still students. The event provided the participants with the opportunity to network with the high profile panelists and as ask them questions. The panelists encouraged the participants to continue pursuing their dreams of entrepreneurship for the development of Bangladesh.