Robi to invest Tk2.5 crore in digital start-ups

Leading digital service provider Robi Axiata Limited has announced to invest Tk 2.5 crore in digital start-ups through the third edition of its flagship digital entrepreneurship platform “r-ventures 3.0.”

The country’s second-largest operator made the announcement during a press conference held at a Dhaka hotel to celebrate the successful completion of 25 years of operation on Monday.

Confirming the company’s readiness to deal with the digital future, and marking the occasion, Robi’s Chief Executive Officer Rajeev Sethi announced the launching of r-ventures 3.0 for budding young digital entrepreneurs.

He said the company was committed to investing up to Tk 2.5 crore in the digital start-ups that will make their way to the top at the end of the r-ventures 3.0 competition.

In December 2019, Robi invested more than Tk 2 crore in 12 digital start-ups through r-ventures 2.0.

Addressing Monday’s briefing, Robi’s Chief Commercial Officer Shihab Ahmad said, “Since its inception, Robi has always been looking to the future as it strategized for growing the business.

“This naturally pushed the company ahead of the industry curve when it comes to digital innovation. Hence, as we celebrate the successful completion of 25 years of operation of the company, we would like to assure our customers that we are fully ready to ensure experiences in their lives in the digital future that lies ahead of us.”

Highlighting Robi’s contribution to socio-economic development, Sethi said, “Since our inception, we have made close to Tk 30,000 crore as CapEx investment, and contributed close to Tk 39,000 crore to the government exchequer.

“Our sprawling business operation around the country supports more than 100,000 jobs at the moment. Hence, our future is deeply entrenched in the future well-being of the country.”

Alluding to the company’s future priorities, he added: “We fully realise that the company’s future growth will rest on whether we are able to satisfy our customers with the quality of our service.

“In this connection, our priority for the future will be to listen to what our customers have to say about us.”

An aspirational TVC was shown at the event in celebration of the company’s 25 years in operation. The TVC featured Bangladeshi youth Joy Barua Lablu who has made a name for himself in the world for making low-cost robotic hands for people who have lost their hands or had their hands amputated.

Joy has also won the Joy Bangla Youth Award 2022 in the climate and innovation category.

According to Robi, r-ventures is its entrepreneurship platform where new digital ideas are nurtured, incubated and funded. The first r-ventures batch was for only Robi’s internal employees. In 2019, Robi opened its doors to all eligible participants within the country.