Bangladesh's bold undergrad founders

For university students with a business idea scribbled in a notebook or a prototype built in their hostel room, the wait is over. The Undergrad Startup Challenge 2025, Bangladesh's largest startup competition exclusively for undergraduate students, has officially opened registration.

Organised by BRAC University's Entrepreneurship Development Forum (BUEDF), this year's competition comes with a prize pool of Tk 300,000 (0.3 million) presented by EBL Women Banking and powered by AMA Coffee. But beyond the money, USC offers something far more valuable: a structured pathway to turn half-formed ideas into real businesses.

The competition is open to students from any discipline and any university across Bangladesh. Whether studying engineering, literature, business, or medicine, if you have an idea that solves a problem, you're eligible. Teams can have one to four members, and cross-institution collaborations are encouraged.

The journey begins with the Lean Canvas round from December 11 to 14. Here, teams must articulate the fundamentals: what problem are you solving, who are your customers, and why will your solution work? It's about translating inspiration into a coherent business blueprint.

Those who advance face the semi-finals from December 17 to 24. This round demands creativity and execution. Teams must produce an online video commercial and present a prototype demonstration. It's where storytelling meets tangible proof that your idea can work in the real world.

The finale, the Pitch Tank, takes place physically at BRAC University between December 28, 2025 and January 03, 2026. This is where finalists present directly to seasoned investors, business leaders, and industry experts. The questioning is rigorous, the expectations high, and the experience intense. For many, it becomes their first real taste of the entrepreneurial world.

The prize structure reflects the competition's national prestige. The champion team takes home Tk 120,000, the first runner-up receives Tk 80,000, and the second runner-up gets Tk 50,000. Each of the top five finalists will receive Tk 10,000.

But participants consistently say the exposure and mentorship matter more than the prize money. USC teaches you how to defend your vision under pressure, communicate with clarity, and adapt when challenged. These are skills that define successful founders, regardless of whether they win.

At least one team member must attend the mandatory skill-building workshop, ensuring every participant enters equipped with essential frameworks and best practices.

Bangladesh's entrepreneurial ecosystem is growing rapidly, and platforms like USC are shaping the next generation of innovators. This isn't just about having a clever idea. It's about testing it, refining it, and learning whether it can actually work.

Registrations closes on December 11, 2025. If you've been thinking about that business idea, wondering if it's worth pursuing, or if you already have something running and want to take it further, this is your platform.

One may sign up at https://usc2025.netlify.app. To stay updated throughout the event, please visit page at https://www.facebook.com/share/1DqFAX5kqa/.

adiba.hossain1@g.bracu.ac.bd