Orange Corners Bangladesh successfully hosted the Ideation Challenge 3.0 Grand Finale at the Orange Corners Mohakhali Hub in Dhaka on Tuesday. Team Veni Vidi Vici, a startup leveraging NutriSpark Tech by converting banana waste into power plants, won first place in the competition, securing a prize of Tk1 lakh.
The challenge’s theme was centered around SDG 7, Affordable and Clean Energy. A two-day bootcamp on May 24-25 provided practical knowledge from industry experts to 30 selected teams from over 230 applicants across 55 Bangladeshi universities. The event, with over 50% female representation in the founding teams, supported the push for more women-led businesses.
The grand finale was graced by the presence of the seven finalist teams, representatives from the NL Embassy, all Orange Corners Bangladesh partners, instructors of the capacity building sessions and other guests from the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Tahsinah Ahmed, Executive Director of Orange Corners Bangladesh implementing partner BYLC addressed the audience, sharing her insights and encouraging young entrepreneurs to continue striving for excellence and innovation in their respective fields. Shamima Akhter, Director Corporate Affairs, Partnerships and Communications at private partner Unilever Bangladesh emphasised the importance of corporate support in fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Bangladesh. Chief guest was Irma Van Dueren, NL Ambassador to Bangladesh. She delivered a keynote speech highlighting the significance of sustainable entrepreneurship and the Netherlands’ commitment to supporting young innovators.
In addition to Veni Vidi Vici, team Rockefeller and SIR also won cash prizes. Team Rockefeller, which transforms kitchen waste into biodiesel, was named the first runner-up, winning Tk50,000. Team SIR, aiming to turn algae into an eco-friendly solution for our future, claimed the second runner-up position, winning Tk25,000.
