Prospect of student entrepreneurship

FE Team | Published: May 06, 2026 21:22:47

Bangladesh has a large young population and a growing number of university graduates, and thus has significant potential for student entrepreneurship. Nevertheless, as more students become interested in starting their own business, there remains a disconnect between aspiration and action. A sizeable number of students are still reluctant to pursue entrepreneurship due to uncertainty about income stability and a lack of proper guidance. Entrepreneurship is not yet considered a mainstream career in a country that still places heavy emphasis on conventional career paths such as government and bank jobs.
There are also several structural issues that restrict the growth of student entrepreneurship in Bangladesh. The education system remains largely theoretical, with little practical exposure to business creation, innovation, or real-life problem-solving. In addition, most students lack access to startup funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Social pressure and family expectations also discourage many youths from pursuing business ideas, while fear of failure and lack of confidence act as psychological barriers. All these factors contribute to a situation where students may have ideas but fail to bring them to life.
Nevertheless, despite these challenges, there are encouraging signs that Bangladesh is slowly progressing towards a more supportive entrepreneurial environment. The rise of digital platforms, social media-based businesses, and freelancing opportunities has made it easier to start small ventures with minimal investment. Programmes such as Startup Bangladesh are also helping to build a more conducive ecosystem for startups. However, for the country to become truly receptive to student entrepreneurs, it needs to reform its education system, reduce the stigma around business failure, and provide stronger institutional support. Only then can Bangladesh fully realise the potential of its young innovators.
Samiul Hossain
Student, Department of Accounting and Marketing
North South University