L3AD holds Digital Innovation Summit

L3AD, a growing global initiative bridging Non-Resident Bangladeshi (NRB) tech leaders with Bangladesh’s digital startups and business ecosystem, has successfully concluded its flagship event- the LEAD Digital Innovation Summit 2025.

Held under the powerful theme “Reversing the Brain Drain: Lead Digital Innovation,” the summit brought together an exceptional gathering of over 250 business leaders and CEOs, more than 50 global and local investors, 35+ international digital experts and speakers, 15 high-potential digital startups, and 15 institutional affiliates from across sectors, according to a press release.

The summit served as a startup launchpad, with 15 curated digital startups pitching their ventures live—resulting in strong investment interest and valuable strategic partnerships.

It also marked the formal launch of the Mentor & Monitor Programme, through which selected startups will receive ongoing mentorship from NRB professionals across critical domains such as AI, cybersecurity, fintech, and health tech, the release says.

The summit catalysed a wave of institutional partnerships, bringing onboard academic and industry affiliates committed to supporting research, incubation, and startup scaling efforts.

Thought leadership took centre stage through three flagship panel discussions, exploring the role of NRB knowledge in building local capacity, the journey of successful Bangladeshi digital entrepreneurs, and pathways to unlock global market access.

To ensure continued knowledge-sharing, L3AD introduced its upcoming Podcast Series, which will feature NRB and global digital leaders sharing their mentorship stories, market insights, and entrepreneurial journeys with a wider audience, according to the release.

Three signature panel discussions anchored the summit’s thought leadership segment. Speakers like Imadur Rahman (CEO, Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Ltd), Commodore (Retd.) Syed Misbah Uddin Ahmad (Director General, BIMRAD), shared how globally trained NRBs are now transforming the local digital landscape.

Also moderated by Dr. Shorful Islam (CEO, Be Data) and featured speakers such as Rubaiyyaat Aakbar (Head of Cybersecurity, InsureTech), Dr. Sadman Sakib (Research Associate, Evotec SE), Mohammed Absar (Head of Business Intelligence, NHS England), and Nasikul Islam (Director, Technology & Ventures). They offered insights into how diaspora expertise and networks can accelerate startup success in Bangladesh.

In Panel Discussion 3, “Idea to Icon – Inside Bangladesh’s Digital Startups Success Stories,” some of the country’s most influential founders shared their scale-up journeys.

Panellists included Md Ziaul Haque Bhuiyan (CEO, ShopUp), Raisul Kabir (CEO, Brain Station 23), Mohammad Abdul Matin Emon (CEO, Praava Health and panel moderator) and Omar Al Zabir (Co-Founder & CTO, Kahf Yazılım A.Ş).

These founders inspired the audience by sharing real stories of resilience, market fit, fundraising, and growth, the release adds.