OnnoRokom Uddokta, the business acceleration program of Singapore-based think tank and startup accelerator Legacy Ventures, announced that it has selected 26 businesses for Cohort 3.0 of its six-month acceleration program. Legacy Ventures promotes value-driven entrepreneurship in Bangladesh and around the world and was built by the team behind OnnoRokom Uddokta in Bangladesh. The program said it received nearly 8,000 applications for this cohort. Over six months, the selected founders will take part in day-long monthly sessions designed to help them build stronger businesses and scale.
The program announced the cohort on 2 November at a ceremony at the Multipurpose Hall of the Bangladesh Military Museum in Dhaka. Nasim Biswas, Managing Director of Nasir Group, attended as Chief Guest. Mahmudul Hasan Sohag, Chairman of OnnoRokom Group, hosted the event. Other guests included Shaykh Ahmadullah, Chairman of As-Sunnah Foundation; Zaved Parvez, CEO of Restart Yourself; Fahim Abdullah, CEO of Ononno; Solehin Islam Sagar, CEO of Tech Care; and Nizam Uddin, CEO of Kahf. Alumni from Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 also attended.
The Program
OnnoRokom Uddokta was launched in June 2025 as an initiative of OnnoRokom Group, with an inaugural cohort of 21 early-stage businesses from agriculture, education, healthcare and technology.
In earlier cohorts, the program combined offline and online learning, one-on-one mentoring, co-working, and public gatherings. The first cohort’s format included monthly offline sessions with Q&A and brainstorming, regular mentoring sessions, weekly co-working, personalized growth assignments, and short pitch sessions where founders presented progress and business updates.
The program said it takes a founder-first approach to selection. When it opened applications for Cohort 2, the program said it welcomes businesses of any sector or size, from emerging startups to growing SMEs, as long as founders show commitment, learning ability, resilience, and a sense of responsibility. It targets businesses that are already operating and preparing for growth, rather than idea-stage ventures. At the time, the program said nearly half of Cohort 1 businesses achieved 6-10x growth during the six months.
The Context
Cohort 3.0 is smaller than the previous one. In February 2026, the program selected 31 startups and SMEs for Cohort 2.0, up from 21 in its first cohort. The applicant pool, however, has grown sharply. With nearly 8,000 applications for 26 spots, Cohort 3.0 is a highly selective intake.
That demand points to a gap the program set out to fill. Founders who have moved past the idea stage need structured, hands-on support, along with access to mentors, networks and operating know-how. A tighter cohort may also help the program keep its support personal as interest grows.
The bigger test is the same one earlier cohorts faced. Strong selection and early growth figures are encouraging. The real measure of the program, though, will be whether its alumni build durable businesses after the six months end. We will continue to follow the program’s progress.
