Grameenphone launches 5 start-ups

Grameenphone on Tuesday launched the second batch of GP Accelerator, a platform to promote local start-ups.

The platform will promote five new companies -- CramStack, BuzzAlly, CMED, Ghuri and Socian -- that were chosen from around 500 applicants.

The companies provide data analysis tools, travelling solution app, cloud-based medical service and promotional tools for firms.

Each of the five companies will be provided with about Tk 1.1 million as seed money and intensive mentoring for the next several months to establish their business.

In exchange for a minimal equity share, every team is offered a package, including essential resources and qualified mentors with prior experience in various fields to help the ventures cover substantial ground in a short space of time.

State minister for telecom Tarana Halim launched the event at the mobile operator's headquarters in Bashundhara.

 “This kind of initiative can create job and give the youth of this country a chance to demonstrate their talents, which will keep them away from the influence of terrorism,” she said.

“Government is taking different initiatives to help the youth and it is good to see that private organisations like Grameenphone also lending a helping hand,” Tarana Halim added.

BTRC chairman Shahjahan Mahmood said, “Organisations like Grameenphone have deep knowledge regarding the needs of the customer and which will be highly beneficial for the young entrepreneurs of GP Accelerator to develop customer friendly services.”

Welcoming the new batch to GP House, Grameenphone CEO Rajeev Sethi said, “The startups at GP Accelerator remind us every day of the skills that drive real success: speed, agility and focus against all the odds.”