Grameenphone has signed a landmark partnership deal today at its headquarter with the three startup ecosystem builders of Bangladesh to deliver GP Accelerator 3.0. The consortium of three partners: BetterStories Limited, LightCastle Partners, and Upskill, will deliver a whole new program that supports the “global-first” Bangladeshi startups born through COVID.
GP Accelerator has been at the forefront of Grameenphone’s innovation and digital transformation agenda. Since its inception in 2015 GP Accelerator has supported 44 startups including Sheba.XYZ, Barikoi, Doctorkoi, Dhakacast and Cramstack. The redesigned program will help startups unlock Grameenphone’s most coveted assets such as distribution channels for them, push for 10X growth month on month basis for the duration of the program and raise a significant amount of growth capital to go aggressive on talent and market acquisition in the region.
On behalf of Grameenphone, Abul Kasem Mohiuddin Al-Amin, Chief Procurement Officer signed the agreement in the presence of Solaiman Alam, Chief Digital & Strategy Officer, Kazi Mahboob Hassan, Chief Business Officer, and Farhana Islam, Head of Innovation; whereas Mustafizur Rahman Khan, Founder & CEO, Upskill, signed on behalf of the consortium in the presence of the consortium representatives including Minhaz Anwar, Chief StoryTeller of BetterStories Ltd, and Ivdad Ahmed Khan Mojlish, Managing Director and Co-Founder, LightCastle Partners.
Solaiman Alam, Chief Digital & Strategy Officer, said, “We are delighted to make it possible to bring back the GP Accelerator at a time when innovators, founders, and entrepreneurs need us the most. GP Accelerator has charted a remarkable legacy for Bangladesh’s innovation and digital ecosystem that we are excited to see being multiplied by our partners and compatriots. As we converge today with the three most significant players in the field, we seek to take our offer to a whole new height by opening up our best assets and resources to Bangladeshi founders who aim to take on global markets while building a rock-solid local foundation”.
On behalf of the Consortium, Minhaz Anwar, Chief StoryTeller, BetterStories said: “Startups in Bangladesh have emerged as a critical economic contributor as they employ 1.5 million people directly and indirectly in Bangladesh and mobilizing U$ 300 million+ in global investments. Grameenphone, being the largest telco and listed company in Bangladesh and having a global network through Telenor - its parent company, can offer significant resources and access to help the third generation of startups that were born through COVID to build a strong local foundation and go global quickly. We are delighted to be able to join forces and looking for the best of the founders to support through the ambitious new program: GP Accelerator 3.0.”
Grameenphone Inks Partnership for GP Accelerator 3.0 with the three startup ecosystem builders: BetterStories Limited, LightCastle Partners, and Upskill to deliver a whole new program that supports the “global-first” Bangladeshi startups born through COVID.
Cover photo: From left to right, Muhammad Sohel Rana, Lead Specialist, GP Accelerator; Ivdad Ahmed Khan Mojlish, Managing Director & Co-Founder, LightCastle Partners; Farhana Islam, Head of Innovation & Startup Ecosystem, Grameenphone; Selima Allen, Director, BetterStories Limited; Mustafizur Rahman Khan, Founder & CEO, Upskill and Startup Dhaka; Solaiman Alam, Chief Digital & Strategy Officer, Grameenphone; Kazi Mahboob Hassan, Chief Business Officer, Grameenphone; Abul Kasem Mohiuddin Al-Amin, Chief Procurement Officer, Grameenphone; Minhaz Anwar, Chief Storyteller, BetterStories.
