Unilever teams up with Orange Corners to support young entrepreneurs

Unilever Bangladesh Ltd. (UBL), the country's largest fast moving consumer goods companies, has recently signed an agreement with Orange Corners, an initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, to support young entrepreneurs in Bangladesh, says a press release.

Implemented by YY Ventures, BYLC Ventures, and SAJIDA Foundation, and supported by the DBL Group and Unilever, the Orange Corners programme in Bangladesh aims to create opportunities for the next generation of Bangladeshi business leaders by providing them with the necessary tools and resources to succeed.

With a strong presence in 17 Hubs across Africa and the Middle East, Orange Corners launched its 18th Hub in Bangladesh -- its first in Asian nation -- in early February 2023.

The Orange Corners programme in Bangladesh will equip youth, aged between 18 and 35 years, with skills, funding, and resources to build sustainable businesses, particularly those that address the UN's Sustainable Development Goals; while the programme partners combine their strengths to create an inclusive and equitable entrepreneurship ecosystem in Bangladesh.

The programme has a strong focus on inspiring Bangladeshi youth to participate in solving local challenges, and ensuring gender equity across all phases of the programme.

Speaking on the partnership, Unilever Bangladesh's CEO and Managing Director Zaved Akhtar said, "Bangladesh's journey over the last few decades has been nothing but short of a miracle, and the economy has immense potential with an enormous pool of young talent. If all young people get the opportunity to acquire the right skills and their personal development, our progress should be unlimited."

"As part of Unilever's Compass priorities and commitment to youth skills development, we have committed to helping 10 million young people aged between 15 and 24 years to gain employment skills that will help them find meaningful work opportunities and prepare for the future of work," he added.

Orange Corners Bangladesh is gearing up for its first hackathon to be held in May 2023. For additional information on the Orange Corners programme, interested persons can contact the team through [email protected].