An initiative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Orange Corners Bangladesh taps into the potential of Bangladeshi youth, equipping them with skills, finances, and resources to enable them to turn their smart ideas into sustainable businesses. The Orange Corners programme in Bangladesh is divided into three phases: Pre-Incubation, Incubation, and Post-Incubation.
The Pre-Incubation phase engages Bangladeshi youth to participate in solving local challenges and is designed to raise awareness of entrepreneurship among students through the campus ambassador programme, university-based events, and hackathons.
The Incubation phase is designed to attract, select, and train early-stage entrepreneurs through intense capacity-building and mentorship initiatives. The 6-month long Incubation programme equips young entrepreneurs, aged 18-35 years, with skills, funding, and resources to start and grow sustainable businesses – specifically ones that contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and address the local challenges of Bangladesh. Selected teams in the Incubation programme will receive training, coaching, masterclasses, networking and opportunities to receive match funding up to 5,000 euros.
The Post-Incubation phase is designed to enable the top graduates of the Incubation programme to become eligible to access funding up to 50,000 euros and take their enterprises to the next level so that they can raise funding from VCs and other investors.
What Orange Corners can offer you
Skills development
Orange Corners offers both collective and individual workshops on the different stages of creating a social enterprise
Coaching and mentoring
The programme provides a personal development week, collective workshops in soft skills, and mentoring for young entrepreneurs
Personalised follow-up
There is an advisory board (strategic committee) and collective support available to help entrepreneurs as they develop their businesses
Events and networking
Participants can attend professional meetings and events organised by the incubators to help them connect with other entrepreneurs and potential investors
Accommodation and domiciliation
Entrepreneurs can access the incubator space and receive a reduced price for commercial domiciliation to help them establish their businesses
Funding
Successful entrepreneurs in the programme will have the opportunity to access funding up to 50,000 euros and take their enterprises to the next level so that they can raise funding from VCs and other investors
Pre-Incubation
We support Bangladesh youth to participate in solving local challenges, and encourage young people, especially aspiring women entrepreneurs and innovators, through multiple initiatives such as Hackathons, Campus Coordinator programme, PowHER events, etc. The first Hackathon on Climate Action will be held in May 2023.
Incubation
Our Incubation programme is for aspiring Bangladeshi youth with sustainable business solutions to solve local challenges and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. We support startups and SMEs with training sessions, masterclasses, mentorship, office space, and opportunities for networking and funding for up to 5,000 euros.
Applications are now open for the Incubation programme until early June 2023. The top applicants will be invited to attend a Selection Boot Camp in late June 2023; among which, the highest potential teams will be onboarded in the first cohort of the Incubation programme starting in July 2023, with at least 50% female representation to support women-led businesses in Bangladesh.
Post-Incubation
Upon successful completion of the Incubation programme, the top graduates who meet all eligibility criteria will have the opportunity to apply for funding up to 50,000 euros and take their enterprises to the next level so that they can raise funding from VCs and other investors.
FAQ
What does the programme offer?
Skills development: collective and individual workshops on the stages of the creation of social enterprises
Coaching and mentoring: personal development week, collective workshops in soft skills, mentoring
Personalised follow-up: advisory board (strategic committee), collective creativity workshops (hold-up), bi-monthly monitoring, etc
Events and networking: regular events for networking and relationship building
Accommodation and domiciliation: access to the incubator space, and subsidised price for commercial domiciliation
Funding: opportunity to access funding up to 50,000 euros and take their enterprises to the next level so that they can raise funding from VCs and other investorsWhen can I apply?
Applications for the Campus Coordinators Programme open annually. The next Cohort will start in early 2024.
Applications for the Hackathons open twice a year. Applications for Hackathon 2 will open later in 2023.
Applications for the Incubation programme open twice a year. Applications for Cohort 2 are now open and will close in Dec 2023.
Follow our social media channels to stay updated!How can I apply?
You can apply by clicking on our application form for the Incubation Programme at the top of this page.
Am I eligible to apply to the incubation programme?
· The Incubation programme is open to young entrepreneurs aged between 18 – 35 years.
· The Incubation programme is open to
· Successful applicants have a strong founding team with the necessary skills and expertise to execute the business plan, with at least one female member as a co-founder or in a leadership position.
· The programme is open to both startups with scalable business models and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from all business sectors.
· Applicants must be fully committed to the 6-month long Incubation programme, and should attend all training sessions, masterclasses, workshops, meetings, etc. Inability to participate in mandatory sessions for any reason will prevent teams from meeting eligibility criteria for funding support or graduating from the programme.
Is the programme open to other cities outside of Dhaka?
Yes, the Incubation programme invites entrepreneurs from all over Bangladesh to apply; however, the Selection Boot Camps and Incubation programme activities will be held in Dhaka which all selected teams will be expected to attend.
When does the programme start?
The Incubation programme for Cohort 2 will start in Jan 2024.
How will I know if I am selected?
Applicants will be contacted via e-mail after the application review process.
What are the costs of participation?
There are no application fees required for this programme. However, any costs incurred by participants to engage in the Incubation programme such as commute, connectivity, etc. will have to be borne by programme participants.
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Where to find us
Orange Corners Bangladesh Mohakhali Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC) Medona Tower, 28 Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212 Orange Corners Bangladesh Mirpur Impact Hub Dhaka Level 9, Grameen Telecom Bhaban, Mirpur Zoo Road, Dhaka 1216 [email protected]
