Connecting students with industry leaders

BRAC University's Entrepreneurship Development Forum (BUEDF) organised Entrepreneurs Fest 4.0 recently bringing together students, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals for a two-day festival focused on entrepreneurship development. The student-led event aimed to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical business experience.

The festival centred on the principle: "The world doesn't need more plans. It needs more starters, more entrepreneurs like you". This principle encourages students to move from ideation to implementation.

The festival's main programme, Entrepreneurs Talk 2.0, took place at BRAC University's auditorium. The session was open to all students without charge.

The speaker lineup included Tanveer Ali, independent director of Startup Bangladesh Limited and Chairman of Constellation Asset Management Company Limited, who served as the chief guest. Other speakers were Anupom Syam, founder of Tackle & AXAR AI (Y Combinator-backed) and senior director of AI Engineering at FICO; Arefin Zaman, co-founder of MedEasy and Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient; Sakib Hossain, founder of Fashol (Forbes 30 Under 30); and Mohammad Ilmul Haque, co-founder of Sheba Platform Limited.

Mohammad Ilmul Haque addressed the role of failure in entrepreneurship, telling students: "Failure is part of the journey. Even small successes come if we dare to face rejection." He also emphasised the importance of creation over consumption, stating, "We can't just be consumers on Facebook or TikTok. True builders create opportunities."

Arefin Zaman recommended that students gain experience in established companies before starting their own ventures, advising them to work in established companies first-- those lessons prepare them to start their own.

When asked about achieving recognition such as the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, Sakib Hossain responded: "Forbes doesn't define you. Build something meaningful, and recognition will follow." This response received significant applause from the audience.

The festival included various stalls and exhibitions beyond the speaker sessions. Food vendors offered items including momos, nachos, pizzas, burgers, and shawarmas, whilst other stalls featured vintage items, jewellery, and perfumes. These areas served as networking spaces for students and attendees.

The programme included several educational components: the Founder's Toolkit Workshop provided practical entrepreneurship training, the Student Obstacle Pitch challenged participants to present solutions under pressure, and the live Expert Solution segment offered real-time problem-solving demonstrations. A Rapid-Fire Quiz and recognition ceremonies were also part of the schedule.

These activities supported the festival's educational objectives by combining learning opportunities with practical application. Students could engage with industry leaders through both formal presentations and informal networking sessions.

More than 60 BUEDF members worked on organising the festival over several months. The student organisers managed all aspects of the event, from overall planning to specific details such as stall placement and visual design elements.

The organisers demonstrated project management skills whilst executing their vision for connecting students with entrepreneurship opportunities. Their work included coordinating with speakers, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring smooth event operations across both days.

Sheltech Pvt Limited served as the primary sponsor for the event, with Shawarma Damasco providing additional support. These partnerships enabled the festival to offer free attendance whilst maintaining quality programming and facilities.

The sponsorships reflected industry interest in supporting student entrepreneurship initiatives and helped create sustainable funding for the event's educational objectives.

Entrepreneurs Fest 4.0 addressed the gap between academic study and entrepreneurial practice by providing students direct access to successful business leaders. The format allowed students to hear first-hand accounts of business development, failure management, and success strategies.

The festival's structure encouraged active participation rather than passive learning. Students engaged in workshops, pitch sessions, and networking activities that required them to apply entrepreneurial concepts in practice.

The event created opportunities for students to establish professional connections with industry leaders and fellow students interested in entrepreneurship. These networks provide ongoing support for student business development efforts.

The festival represented part of BUEDF's broader mission to develop entrepreneurial culture at BRAC University. By combining education with practical experience, the event aimed to encourage students to pursue business ventures whilst still in university or shortly after graduation.

The organisers focused on changing student perceptions of entrepreneurship from theoretical concept to achievable goal. Through exposure to successful entrepreneurs and hands-on activities, students gained practical understanding of business development processes.

Entrepreneurs Fest 4.0 established a model for student-led entrepreneurship education that other university organisations might adopt. The event demonstrated how student groups can create meaningful professional development opportunities through strategic planning and industry partnerships.

club.buedf@g.bracu.ac.bd