Robi's flagship digital entrepreneurship contest r-ventures 3.0 concluded on March 5 where eight start-ups were given the promise of being provided with investments of over Tk 8 crore in total.

Four digital start-ups received over Tk 2 crore investment from RedDot Digital Limited, a subsidiary IT company of Robi Axiata Ltd and sponsor of r-ventures private equity fund, Robi said in a press release.

At the same time, SBK Tech Ventures and angel investor Kaniz Almas Khan pledged to invest Tk 3.5 crore in four start-ups.

At the event, Startup Bangladesh Limited, the venture capital fund of ICT Division, also pledged making an investment of Tk 2.5 crore in the start-ups, according to the press release.

Following a thorough screening process, eleven digital start-ups took part in the Grand Finale, which took place in the capital's Sheraton Dhaka hotel.

"In the process of building a Smart Bangladesh, entrepreneurs like you [participating start-ups] will play the pivotal role. Bangladesh will lead the world in the future with your innovative ideas," ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak said at the event.

The state minister also announced making an investment of Tk 10 lakh from the ICT Division to all the top 11 teams of the competition.

Robi's Chief Commercial Officer Shihab Ahmad and RedDot Digital's CEO Hasib Mustabsir also attended the programme.