The Youth Entrepreneurship Expo 2025 took place on April 9 as part of the ongoing Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka. The event spotlighted 30 youth-led ventures from across the country, offering a platform for entrepreneurs to present their innovations and business models to investors and industry observers.

Each participating business was provided with a dedicated stall and the opportunity to make an open pitch to the summit's audience. The pitching sessions allowed founders to describe their products and ideas directly to investors, with a focus on impact, scalability, and innovation.

While talking about the business pitching session, Sharfuddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Head of Communications at Grameenphone said, "As a panel observer in a pitch session of the Health and Environment category, my observations are that all the teams who presented carried a passionate, problem-solving mindset. They had significant social impact considerations, so I could see clearly that there is an empathy and social contribution aspect in their thinking."

Mentioning that many of them need more exposure and networking to get their ideas to attract investments and scaling up their operations, Sharfuddin said, "Many of them have aspirations to go global with their solutions which is a clear signal of their 'thinking big' attitude."

Business pitching session. Image: Md. Zahidur Rabbi.

Ishraq Uddin Chowdhury, Founder and CEO at Soundvision said, "Our product is a smart glass for blind people which gives them assistance. Our innovation is currently in the prototype stage and we were looking for investments to take it to the product stage."

Prototype by Soundvision. Image: Md. Zahidur Rabbi.

When asked about whether there was any investment received in the event, Ishraq said, "Initially, we were looking for a BDT 10 lakh investment and we have already secured BDT 5 to 6 lakh investment assurance from two investors."

Mentioning that his company works for sustainability and turns cooking oil residue into renewable energy, Tanvin Chowdhury, Director and CEO at Biotech Energy said, "We already have products and now we are looking for investors to scale up our operations."

Product showcase by Biotech Energy. Image: Md. Zahidur Rabbi.

Describing his company as the 'Google' of agriculture, Mashrur H. Shurid, President and CEO at iPage Global said, "We are using our devices to collect real time soil, water, and weather data and help farmers or related people to make real time data driven decisions."

"Of course we are looking for investors but investment is not the main purpose of the summit. We are connecting with investors and changing their dilemma about whether or not Bangladesh can make innovative products. We are making them believe that Bangladeshi innovators can create and develop globally scalable solutions," Mashrur added.

Product showcase by iPage Global. Image: Md. Zahidur Rabbi.

The business pitching session was followed by a storytelling session where Sadia Haque, CEO and Co-founder at ShareTrip; Anayet Rashid CEO at Truck Lagbe; Fahad Ifaz, CEO and Co-founder at iFarmer; Ludovico Massari, Co-founder and Managing Director at Greensect were present.

The 30 businesses present in the youth expo were categorised in 4 descriptions. The 'IT & Infrastructure' category had Dubotech, Smart Build, Artificial Intelligence Bangladesh, AyyKori, Technowren, and Project Second Home.

The 'Craft & Culture' category had Sunamganj Nakshi Palli, Rangamati Ethnic Craft, Doriya, Gani Creation, ArmadeA, and Esscre.

The 'Agriculture & Food Security' category had Patuakhali Fish Processing, Dr. Chashi, Kurigram Quinoa Farm, iPage Global, Smart Agriculture Drone, Wegro, Greensect, Drip Irrigation BD, Krishoker School, Huckleberry Natural BD, and North Self Help Agro.

The 'Environment & Health' category had Garbageman, RoboAid, Biotech Energy limited, Sasthya Seba, P&A Motor company, and Sound Vision.