The Innovation Hub Program at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) has awarded Tk 500,000 in pre-seed funding to 15 student teams from its IC-5 and IC-6 cohorts, marking the completion of a 2.5 month entrepreneurship and innovation cycle.

An entrepreneurship development initiative under the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority, supported by the World Bank, the program is designed to nurture young entrepreneurs through structured mentorship and practical training. It was conducted under the guidance of Md Latiful Kabir, National Programme Coordinator and mentor, along with Dr Shamim Al Aziz Lalin, mentor, and advisor Dr Farhad Rabbi, Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at SUST.

Over the course of the program, participants received tailored support on idea validation, business planning, and venture development, enabling them to transform early-stage concepts into market-ready solutions. The final jury board session was held on 8 August at the SUST UIHP office, where startups pitched their ventures to secure funding.

In the IC-5 cohort, Signtalk and Solveware secured the highest funding, while Team Trailblazers, BIOPEP NEXUX, GreenTex, Capital Mitra, and Binimoy were also among the winners. In the IC-6 cohort, HydroHope and Husklife received the highest funding, with CoinCrew, Eco Genesis, RouteRangers, Team AgriNova, The Earth Pen, and Beyond the Box also receiving awards.

According to the organisers, running both cohorts simultaneously fostered a competitive and collaborative environment, allowing participants to exchange ideas and learn from each other’s experiences. The pre-seed funding is expected to help the teams refine their products, conduct market testing, and prepare for future investment opportunities.