Established companies to startups were all recorgnised for groundbreaking creations and ideas, based on nine sectors of finance, apparel, healthcare, SDG inclusion, processing, product development, start-up, social and technology, according to a press release.
There was also a special category. A total of 168 entries came up for the award.
Key award recipients included Sheba.xyz from Sheba Platform Limited for Best Startup, mTika from mPower Social Enterprises Limited for healthcare, bKash app for financial innovation, ChakriBazar from SSD-Tech for social innovation, ZANTRIK for process innovation, Truck Lagbe from Brilliant Ideas Limited for technology innovation and more.
Shariful Islam, founder of Bangladesh Innovation Conclave (BIC), said its vision was to establish innovation at the center of the discourse for Bangladesh's future progress within all key stakeholders, including policymakers, business leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, youth, academia and parents.
The award session was preceded by BIC’s “Bangladesh Innovation Dialogue 2018”, where speakers stressed for the need to nurture innovation as the key driver to realise Bangladesh’s goal in reaching developed country status by 2041.