Robi’s flagship digital entrepreneurship platform r-ventures 3.0 on Sunday concluded the grand finale at Dhaka’s Sheraton Hotel, and eight start-ups received nearly Tk 8 crore in investment in the event.
Among these firms, four digital start-ups availed investment worth more than Tk 2 crore from RedDot Digital Ltd, a subsidiary IT company of Robi Axiata Ltd and sponsor of r-ventures private equity fund.
SBK Tech Ventures and Angel Investor, Kaniz Almas Khan has also pledged to invest Tk 3.5 crore in four start-ups alongside RedDot Digital Ltd. Startup Bangladesh Ltd, the Venture Capital Fund of ICT Division, also pledged to invest a total of Tk 2.5 crore.
A total of 11 digital startups took part in the grand finale, read a press release.
Attending the programme as chief guest, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak handed over the investment cheques to the entrepreneurs.
“I would like to congratulate all the start-ups who participate in the r-ventures 3.0 grand finale. In the process of building a Smart Bangladesh, entrepreneurs like you will play a pivotal role. Bangladesh will lead the world in the future with your innovative ideas,” Palak said.
Robi, SBK Tech Ventures and Startup Bangladesh Ltd agreed to invest Tk 1.5 crore to Digi Dokaan Ltd from e-commerce and retail; SBK Tech Ventures, Robi and Kaniz Almas Khan invest Tk 1.25 crore in HishabPlus from Fintech; Tk 2 crore from SBK Tech Ventures and Robi in Jomma; Uqeel got investment of Tk 1 crore in from Legal Tech sector.
In addition, Robi has announced an investment of Tk 25 lakh to Drishti from Assistive Technology. Startup Bangladesh declared to invest Tk 50 lakh each and Tk 1 crore respectively to ANTT Robotics from Software & Technology sector, YOUR-Campus from Consumer Services and Fabric Lagbe Ltd from Garments Tech.
At the same time, Palak has announced an investment of Tk 10 lakh from the ICT Division to all the top 11 teams including Mile from GreenTech/Mobility, Recycle Jar Ecosystem from Circular economy/Cleantech and Relaxy Ltd - health tech industry.
The ideas were selected based on the strength and uniqueness of the concept, business model, financial projections, and overall impact on the society.
Robi’s Chief Commercial Officer Shihab Ahmad, RedDot Digital’s CEO Hasib Mustabsir, r-venture 3.0 officials, investors and media personnel were also present at the event.
Robi organised the first phase of r-ventures in 2017 with a view to building digital entrepreneurship among its employees.
In view of that success, the company launched r-ventures 2.0 in 2019 providing opportunities to everyone aspiring to become a digital entrepreneur.
