Kazan, Russia – August 2025:
Bangladesh has made a mark on the global stage as Arafatul Islam Akib, Founder & CEO of Startup Chattogram, was honoured with the prestigious “Young Mentor of the Year – Social Solution Award” at the Kazan Global Youth Summit 2025, held in Russia.
This year’s summit gathered over 500 participants from 75 countries, selected from more than 7,000 applications worldwide. Akib stood out as the only delegate representing Bangladesh at this landmark event. Alongside receiving the award, he was also invited to speak at Kazan Federal University, where he presented the case of Startup Chattogram and community building, showcasing how local entrepreneurial initiatives from Bangladesh can inspire global change.
A Hustle Story from Chattogram
Akib’s path to international recognition has been fueled by resilience and determination. Starting his journey in Chattogram with limited resources and no office space, he began by hosting small gatherings of aspiring entrepreneurs. Many early activities were bootstrapped — funded from his own savings, and often organized in cafés, community halls, or borrowed spaces.
Despite these challenges, he built Startup Chattogram into the first vibrant startup hub outside Dhaka. Today, his initiatives have supported 775+ entrepreneurs positively impacted over 150,000 lives.
Beyond Bangladesh, Akib has judged 235+ startups across 45 countries through the World Summit Awards (co-founded by the European Union), and brought global platforms such as Startup Grind (powered by Google for Startups) to Chattogram. His mission remains rooted in one belief: local solutions can create global impact.
Recognition for Bangladesh
Speaking after receiving the award, Akib said:
“This honor is not just mine. It belongs to every young founder, every woman entrepreneur, and every changemaker in Bangladesh who believes in the power of entrepreneurship. This recognition proves that Bangladesh has the talent, creativity, and resilience to stand proudly on the global stage.”
The Kazan Global Youth Summit is one of the world’s largest youth gatherings focused on innovation, leadership, and sustainable development. Akib’s recognition as Young Mentor of the Year highlights Bangladesh’s growing influence in global conversations on youth entrepreneurship and social innovation.
📌 About Startup Chattogram
Founded in 2017, Startup Chattogram is a purpose-driven platform dedicated to empowering youth and women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh. Through capacity-building programs, global networking, and community-driven initiatives, Startup Chattogram has become a key ecosystem builder, inspiring the next generation of changemakers.
