Crown Cement, The Daily Star launch 2nd season of export idea competition ‘Rise High Bangladesh’

Dhaka, August 20, 2017: After the successful first season of an export idea contest, “Rise High Bangladesh”, The Daily Star and Crown Cement formally launched its second season today.

The idea generating contest brings innovative and creative minds from various universities under one platform. To announce the launching, M. I. Cement Factory Ltd. (Crown Cement) and The Daily Star organized a “meet the press” at The Daily Star Centre.

Over 100 teams from universities across the country participated in the contest last year.

Describing the purpose of the campaign, The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam said a country has to advance towards development through creativity. This creativity can be in the field of fine arts, sports, journalism or any other sector.

“We will look for those who have creativity in generating ideas to export fresh and newer items abroad,” he said.

Among other criteria, a distinguished panel of jury will take into account the realistic aspect of an idea for winning the contest. The jury will also consider how native the idea is, its eco-friendly aspect and marketability, he further said.

The top 10 idea generators, including three winning groups, will have the opportunity to closely work with renowned investor groups.

MI Cement Factory Ltd (Crown Cement) adviser Maj Gen (retd) Hameed Al Hasan said the campaign aims to recognize young talents who are making differences through innovations.

The Daily Star and Crown Cement jointly launched “Rise High Bangladesh” last year with an objective of primarily gathering export ideas from students and secondarily, awarding some of the people who have contributed in the international arena to brighten up the country’s image.

Top 10 teams presented their ideas in front of an expert panel of jurors, comprising some of the country’s prominent business leaders.

Among them, top three teams were shortlisted for the final round based on both jury board’s score and online votes.

The campaign process of season 2 is same as season 1 and the details are available at: http://www.thedailystar.net/ risehighbd/

Last year, awards were given to top three business ideas and three notable entrepreneurs and professionals. Taposh Ghosh, team leader of last year’s winning group from Dhaka University’s Institute of Business Administration, was present at the event.