Prof. Mamun Serves as Judge at Banik Bazar 2024 — A Groundbreaking Student Startup Showcase at UIU
Banik Bazar 2024, a vibrant two-day student startup fair, was held at United International University (UIU), celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit of Gen Z innovators. Organized by the UIU Entrepreneur Development Forum (UIUEDF), the event was the first of its kind in Bangladesh, fully driven by students showcasing their startups within a university campus. Among the most notable guests was Prof. Dr. Khondaker Abdullah Al Mamun, Director of IRIIC and Founder of CMED Health, who served as a grand finale judge.
Prof. Mamun expressed immense pride in witnessing the creativity, business acumen, and executional excellence displayed by UIU students. What made the event truly stand out was its real-world impact: in just two days, the student teams recorded BDT 5 lakh in cash transactions and secured an additional BDT 8 lakh in pre-orders—all from within the university’s student community. This level of engagement and financial activity from young entrepreneurs, buyers, and sellers alike showcased the tangible potential of student-led business ventures.
The grand finale featured 15 shortlisted teams presenting their startup journeys, business models, and learnings from the marketplace. Prof. Mamun noted how impressed he was not only by the sales numbers but by the students’ ability to communicate professionally, switching fluently between Bangla and English while delivering structured and persuasive presentations.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Mamun stated that the future of “Bangladesh 2.0” lies in the hands of these Gen Z innovators and announced his personal commitment to invest in three of the winning teams as a gesture of belief in their ideas and potential. He also called for more such events to be organized across campuses in Bangladesh, highlighting their power to foster real-world entrepreneurship skills and practical experience among students.
Banik Bazar 2024 was more than a student fair—it was a living marketplace of innovation, collaboration, and future enterprise. With mentorship, institutional support, and opportunities like these, Bangladesh’s next generation of entrepreneurs is already setting the groundwork for a smarter and more self-reliant economy.
