As Bangladesh's startup landscape expands, university incubators have emerged as pivotal forces in fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation. To address the challenges and opportunities in this space, NSU Startups Next (NSUSN) hosted an exclusive roundtable discussion on the topic "The Role of University Incubators in Fostering Bangladesh's Startup Ecosystem" on February 17, 2025, at North South University's (NSU's) Syndicate Hall.

Bringing together prominent academics, policymakers, investors, and industry leaders, the event served as a high-level dialogue on the sustainability of university incubation programmes. With over 1,200 active startups in Bangladesh, university-driven incubation models are essential in providing entrepreneurs with access to mentorship, funding, and policy support. However, financial sustainability, limited industry collaboration, and regulatory constraints remain key barriers to their effectiveness.

The discussion featured an esteemed panel of experts, including Prof. Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor, NSU; Prof. Abdur Rob Khan, Pro-VC In-Charge, NSU; Rahat Ahmed, Founder and Managing Partner, Anchorless Bangladesh; Waiz Rahim, Venture Partner, Sturgeon Capital; and Monjur Mohammad Shahriar, Project Director, DEIED-Project, BHTPA. In addition, successful NSU alum entrepreneurs such as Anayet Rashid, Founder and CEO of Truck Lagbe, and Fahad Ifaz, Co-founder and CEO of iFarmer, shared their experiences and insights into navigating Bangladesh's startup ecosystem.

The discussions revolved around several critical themes like fostering university-led innovation, addressing sustainability challenges, strengthening public-private partnerships, expanding regional incubation programmes, and developing policy frameworks.

Monjur Mohammad Shahriar said, "We celebrate outputs, but true success lies in outcomes. A startup, like a child, matures through mentorship, passing through stages of growth before becoming a thriving business."

Specifically relating to the state of students in today's ecosystem, Mohammad Shahriar added, "Many ideas seem new to students simply because they haven't encountered them before. The real challenge is bridging this knowledge gap."

During further conversations and deliberations, Rahat Ahmed stated, "A strong startup ecosystem requires balance – government support must be complemented by private sector investment to ensure long-term success. Ignoring global standards prevents Bangladeshi startups from scaling internationally. To compete on the world stage, we must embrace best practices."

The discussion was moderated by Samuel Mursalin, Director (IC), NSU Startups Next, who highlighted the significance of university incubators in today's entrepreneurial landscape. The event concluded with commitments to developing a strategic roadmap for university incubators, advocating for government-backed funding mechanisms, and fostering deeper industry-academia engagement. The insights gathered will contribute to shaping policy dialogues that ensure university incubators remain sustainable and impactful, supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs in Bangladesh.