Entrepreneurs need support, not just praise

Young entrepreneurs are often praised at various conferences both online and offline. But behind the applause, many entrepreneurs are quietly struggling. The problem isn't a lack of ambition or creativity. It's the absence of tangible, practical support.

Young people across Bangladesh are launching startups with minimal resources, often relying on social media to market, innovate, and scale. Yet they face obstacles at nearly every turn: outdated regulations, excessive bureaucracy, and limited access to capital. Securing a loan is especially difficult for those outside Dhaka or for founders without influential networks. At the same time, tax structures are unclear, and licensing procedures are needlessly complicated-factors that not only slow progress but actively discourage entrepreneurship.

If we are serious about nurturing the next generation of innovators, we must go beyond applause and slogans. Real support means improving access to finance, introducing startup-friendly tax policies, and establishing one-stop service centres that eliminate bureaucratic hurdles.

Celebrating ambition is important. But without meaningful policy reform and institutional backing, that ambition risks turning into frustration-or finding a future in another country.

Shaera Yousuf

Student

North South University

shaera.yousuf@northsouth.edu