The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division has launched an event titled "Bangabandhu Innovation Grant 2020 (BIG)", marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak today inaugurated the 'BIG' event as the chief guest following a press conference at the BCC auditorium of ICT Tower in the city's Agargaon area, maintaining social distancing and health guidelines, said a press release.

Speaking on the occasion, Zunaid Ahmed Palak said that Bangabandhu, with his foresight, had thought ahead of time and taken different big initiatives to solve problems.

Noting that work was started on the "Bangabandhu Innovation Grant" to commemorate the Mujib Barsho, he said, "Bangabandhu's lifestyle, struggling life and political philosophy are inspiring and exemplary models for us and the next generation."

If the youth can be encouraged and inspired while being imbued with Bangabandhu's lifestyle and political philosophy, they will never be defeated in the struggle for life, the state minister said.

"That is why we are organising this competition to inspire our entrepreneurs and innovators," Palak added.

According to the press release, to build a startup ecosystem in the country by encouraging new entrepreneurial startups through "BIG" and establishing the event as a flagship programme at the international level, three events will be organised in 2020-21, namely university and stakeholder activation campaigns, TV reality shows and an international road show.

There is a plan to include different countries, including USA, Cambodia, India, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, China, Hong Kong, Japan and Italy, in the "International road show".

The best 36 startups selected from these events will be given a grant of Taka 10 lakh each and nominated for the "BIG" final round.

Later, from this final round, the final results of the grand event of the 'Mujib Borsho' will be selected through a selection panel consisting of experienced judges from home and abroad.

One of the best startups will be given a special honor as a prize of "Bangabandhu Innovation Grant 2020 (BIG)" and a grant of USD 100,000.

Initially, the interested ICT-based startups will be able to register at www.big.gov.bd on the website of "Bangabandhu Innovation Grant 2020" from today (November 25).

Any IT-based entrepreneur can submit their ideas in this competition by December 25, 2020 at the national level and by January 25, 2021 at the international level.

This initiative is being organized by the ICT Division along with the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DoICT), BCC, Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority, Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA), a2i and Startup Bangladesh Limited, who have been added as an event partner.

As private partners, there are different trades associations including BASIS, BACCO, BCS, ECAB, ISPAB and BIJF.