Grameenphone Inks Partnership for GP Accelerator 3.0

Grameenphone has signed a landmark partnership deal today at its headquarter with the three pioneering startup ecosystem builders of Bangladesh to deliver GP Accelerator 3.0. The consortium of three partners: BetterStories Limited, LightCastle Partners and Upskill, will deliver a whole new program that supports the "global-first" Bangladeshi startups born through COVID.

GP Accelerator has been at the forefront of Grameenphone's innovation and digital transformation agenda. Since its inception in 2015 GP Accelerator has supported 44 startups including Sheba.XYZ, Barikoi, Doctorkoi, Dhakacast and Cramstack. The redesigned program will help startups unlock Grameenphone's most coveted assets such as distribution channels for them, push for 10X growth month on month basis for the duration of the program and raise a significant amount of growth capital to go aggressive on talent and market acquisition in the region.

On behalf of Grameenphone, Abul Kasem Mohiuddin Al-Amin, Chief Procurement Officer signed the agreement in the presence of Solaiman Alam, Chief Digital & Strategy Officer, Kazi Mahboob Hassan, Chief Business Officer, and Farhana Islam, Head of Innovation; whereas Mustafizur Rahman Khan, Founder & CEO, Upskill, signed on behalf of the consortium in the presence of the consortium representatives including Minhaz Anwar, Chief StoryTeller of BetterStories Ltd, and Ivdad Ahmed Khan Mojlish, Managing Director and Co-Founder, LightCastle Partners.

Solaiman Alam, Chief Digital & Strategy Officer, said, "We are delighted to make it possible to bring back the GP Accelerator at a time when innovators, founders, and entrepreneurs need us the most. GP Accelerator has charted a remarkable legacy for Bangladesh's innovation and digital ecosystem that we are excited to see being multiplied by our partners and compatriots. As we converge today with the three most significant players in the field, we seek to take our offer to a whole new height by opening up our best assets and resources to Bangladeshi founders who aim to take on global markets while building a rock-solid local foundation".

On behalf of the Consortium, Minhaz Anwar, Chief StoryTeller, BetterStories said: "Startups in Bangladesh have emerged as a critical economic contributor as they employ 1.5 million people directly and indirectly in Bangladesh and mobilizing U$ 300 million+ in global investments. Grameenphone, being the largest telco and listed company in Bangladesh and having a global network through Telenor - its parent company, can offer significant resources and access to help the third generation of startups that were born through COVID to build a strong local foundation and go global quickly. We are delighted to be able to join forces and looking for the best of the founders to support through the ambitious new program: GP Accelerator 3.0."

GP Accelerator 3.0 is going to be a twelve-month long program that connects the whole of Bangladesh together through national outreach and design thinking boot camps, finds the best homegrown start-ups and matches them with the resources and support to build a strong local foundation and equips them to scale by raising investments, entering new markets and forging business networks.

BetterStories Limited is a premium future building agency that works in the areas of Smart Technology, Strategic Consulting and Startup Ecosystem Building. BetterStories was established in 2008 jointly by a woman entrepreneur, a development professional, and an environmentalist to work on an ambitious goal of creating a whole new generation of leaders for Bangladesh through entrepreneurship. Over the past 12 years, BetterStories has provided over 10,000+ hours of advisory services to over 933 startups through 20+ accelerator and investment readiness programs.

LightCastle Partners aims to promote a positive investment climate in Bangladesh by creating data-driven opportunities for growth and lasting impact for Development Partners, Corporations, Startups, and SMEs. To date, they have consulted for 150+ organizations across the public, private and social sectors, collaborated with 500+ SMEs & startups, mobilized U$50 million+ in investments, and supported 30+ accelerator programs all over Bangladesh.

Upskill is a skill-sharing platform that maximizes learning outcomes. With an online live learning platform, video streaming and Income Sharing Agreement (ISA), Upskill produces and distributes courses focusing on all kinds of skills that help people to be productive and earn through sharing their skills d. The contents are designed and delivered by key industry or subject matter experts.