Applications open until December 20 for the six-month accelerator program that prioritizes founder mindset over business ideas.
Onnorokom Uddokta (OU), the nonprofit accelerator and incubator program under Onnorokom Group, has opened applications for its second cohort following excellent results from its inaugural batch. The program claims nearly half of Cohort-1 businesses achieved 6-10x growth during the program, which, the program says, is a validation of OU's founder-first philosophy that evaluates founders before their business models.
The announcement comes six months after OU launched its first cohort in June 2025 with 21 early-stage businesses spanning agriculture, education, healthcare, and technology. The accelerator is now expanding its support structure for Cohort-2, which begins in February 2026.
Unlike traditional accelerators that prioritize pitch decks and market projections, OU centers on founder qualities—clarity, resilience, adaptability, and ethical commitment. The program says it seeks entrepreneurs building not just profitable companies, but ethical, responsible, and impactful businesses that contribute positively to society.
Cohort-2 promises comprehensive support across six months:
Monthly in-person workshops: Two full-day sessions on strategy, operations, and growth every month—crucial for building relationships in Bangladesh's relationship-driven business culture.
Weekly online learning: Regular live sessions maintain accountability between workshops.
Dedicated 1:1 coaching: Personalized support for business clarity, leadership, execution, and strategy—significant for entrepreneurs who typically lack experienced advisors.
Investor access: Exposure to OU's network of ecosystem partners and impact-aligned investors, where early-stage funding remains scarce and relationship-driven.
Co-Working Space: Selected companies will receive access to physical workspace for collaboration, productivity, and teamwork throughout the program.
Mentorship Network: Local and international mentors across business strategy, technology, operations, and financial modeling.
Financial Modeling Support: Hands-on assistance to strengthen financial clarity and prepare for investment.
Cohort-2 targets businesses beyond the idea stage—entrepreneurs already operating and entering or preparing for growth. OU welcomes any sector or size, from emerging startups to growing SMEs, as long as founders demonstrate commitment, learning ability, resilience, and a responsibility-driven mindset.
The selection process is highly competitive and people-first. Founders are encouraged to apply early.
This sector-agnostic approach distinguishes OU from tech-focused accelerators and acknowledges that Bangladesh's entrepreneurial ecosystem needs diverse solutions.
The emphasis on building ethical businesses is embedded in OU's mission to put people before ideas, helping founders build ventures that create value with conscience and long-term responsibility. The organization's vision is to nurture entrepreneurs who combine innovation with wisdom, strengthening communities while ensuring sustainable business growth.
With over 2 million young Bangladeshis entering the workforce annually, entrepreneurship has emerged as an essential economic driver. Yet the country lacks the robust support infrastructure found in mature markets.
While the US, China, and India count their accelerator programs in the thousands, Bangladesh has only a handful. Programs like Y Combinator and Techstars have fundamentally shaped startup landscapes in those markets by providing mentorship, connections, capital, and space to fledgling companies.
Bangladesh's entrepreneurs face fragmented mentorship, scarce early-stage funding, regulatory hurdles, and limited access to experienced mentors and advisors. OU's model—backed by a successful local conglomerate—provides localized support that understands these challenges. Onnorokom Group's network offers founders access to resources and connections that would otherwise take years to build.
The 6-10x growth achieved by nearly half of Cohort-1 businesses provides early validation. However, the real test lies ahead: Can the program maintain this success rate as it scales? Can it create lasting businesses that survive beyond the accelerator phase?
The answers will emerge as Cohort-1 companies navigate their next growth stages and Cohort-2 begins its journey. What's clear is that OU represents a significant commitment by a local conglomerate to entrepreneurship development—an investment in building the ecosystem rather than just participating in it.
For now, Bangladeshi entrepreneurs already operating and seeking structured support to scale with clarity and purpose, Cohort-2 applications are now open. Given the competitive selection process and the program's demonstrated ability to accelerate growth—with nearly half of Cohort-1 achieving 6-10x results—interested founders should apply early. The December 20, 2025, deadline creates a narrow window.
Beyond individual success stories, the larger question is whether programs like OU can collectively elevate Bangladesh's entrepreneurial ecosystem, nurturing a generation of founders who combine innovation with wisdom, profitability with purpose, and growth with responsibility. For entrepreneurs ready to be part of that transformation, the application is here.
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