A new partnership is helping green startups get funding, training and market access to speed Bangladesh’s shift toward a circular economy. It brings together a development agency, a business chamber and an innovation hub to back companies that turn waste into value, make low cost green products or offer services that cut pollution. The plan gives startups seed grants, hands on coaching and links to buyers so teams can move from an idea to regular sales. Training covers clear business skills such as pricing and bookkeeping, along with practical help on cleaner designs, product testing and waste free packaging. Mentors will show how to use local materials smarter, find steady suppliers and meet buyer standards without big upfront costs. By focusing on repair, reuse and recycling, the programme hopes to build jobs in towns and reduce pressure on landfills and costly imports. Local pilots will test demand for green goods such as recycled fibre crafts, circular packaging, low energy appliances and repair services so projects that work can scale. A small business team will help founders draft short plans, calculate cash flow and access flexible loans that match real sales. Women led teams and youth entrepreneurs are a priority so benefits spread widely and the programme can draw on many ideas and skills. Partners will set up a shared lab and design studio where startups can try prototypes, run safety checks and fix problems before products reach customers. This lowers risk and gives buyers confidence, making it easier for makers to win orders from shops, online platforms and institutional buyers. Another aim is to link small makers with larger manufacturers that need steady parts or reuse services, creating supplier chains that bring steady work beyond lone founders. Practical steps include basic quality checks, clearer labelling and low cost certification so products meet buyer rules and find export chances. Training uses plain language, role plays and on site help so learning sticks and teams can act quickly on new ideas. Data from pilots will guide future support so the best ideas get more finance, bigger workshops and help to reach national markets. Local banks and impact investors are invited to join pilot finance pools so startups can access credit without heavy collateral that often blocks early growth. By tying small grants to clear milestones, the scheme rewards steady progress rather than promises alone. In towns and peri-urban areas, growth of green startups can create jobs for packers, repair technicians, designers and delivery workers, spreading benefits beyond a few central hubs. The approach combines practical business support with real market links so circular ideas move from test to real sales, giving communities jobs, cleaner streets and new local businesses that last.
