Accelerate Bangladesh, country’s first virtual health-tech accelerator, launched
Source：The Daily Star
From：Taiwan Trade Center, Dhaka
Update Time：2021/04/07
Accelerate Bangladesh, an investment readiness programme by Better Stories Limited and Bangladesh Angels Network in collaboration with Bridge for Billions and Biniyog Briddhi, has been launched via a virtual webinar.
The more than 12 weeks-long programme aims to help early stage startups with considerable traction to unlock investments worth USD 50,000–USD 100,000 within a period of 12 to 18 months, says a press release.
The launching ceremony was held over virtual streaming platform Zoom at 3:00pm (GMT+6) on September 9, 2020.
The aim of Accelerate Bangladesh is to equip founders with hands-on experience to make them ready to avail investment through eight modules related to impact and commercial investment readiness.
The organisers' combined strategy is to work with five hand-picked companies that are operational in the field of health-tech. They are post-revenue and offer products that are relevant during this pandemic and align with ecosystem programmes like Call4Nation. Most importantly, these companies are trying to raise early-stage capital for the first time.
The featured 5 local impact enterprises are BanglaMeds, BimaBD, Smart Retina, ToguMogu and Dhaka Cast.
BanglaMeds is the first online pharmacy in Bangladesh providing home delivery services to OTC and prescribed drugs all over Bangladesh.
BimaBD is Bangladesh's first online insurance marketplace delivering a plethora of insurance services online anywhere in the nation, such as motorcycle, car, travel, life and health insurance.
Smart Retina is a company that employs Automated Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Systems through a fully cloud-based AI system. They operate in a Software as a Service (SAAS) based B2B model, enabling them to provide their services in any diagnostic centre in the world. They hope to improve access to ophthalmological care in Bangladesh for diabetic patients.
ToguMogu is a one-stop service based platform for expecting and new parents in Bangladesh. They provide a wide range of products and services from online shopping and delivery of baby care products, books, etc. to providing educational consultancy and even facilitate finding a doctor for one's child.
Dhaka Cast is the first ever online diabetes management website in Bangladesh. Doctors related to this field provide online consultancy 24/7 through this platform.
The journey of the participating enterprises through the accelerator's structured curriculum will be assisted by selected mentors and experienced professionals. The curriculum and modules themselves are hosted on Bridge for Billions' innovative virtual incubation platform, through generous support from Swiss Development Cooperation's Biniyog Bridhi program to stimulate an impact investment ecosystem in Bangladesh for startups, implemented by Roots of Impact and run locally by Lightcastle Partners.
Alongside the main modules, weekly clinics will be held between the startups, investors and mentors from among Better Stories and Bangladesh Angels Network.
Source: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/