3ZERO Pitch Competition Held at Dhaka University to Promote Empathy-Driven Entrepreneurship
April 12, 2025 | Faculty of Business, University of Dhaka
Uddog o Uddokta Bangladesh successfully hosted the 3ZERO Pitch Competition and Project Closing Event on April 12, 2025, at the Prof. Dr. Abdullah Farouk Multipurpose Hall, Faculty of Business, University of Dhaka. The event marked the culmination of a one-year initiative titled "Empathy-Driven Entrepreneurship: Unveiling the 3ZERO Approach."
The project empowered youth members of the 3ZERO Club, aged 12–35, to identify social challenges and develop empathy-driven entrepreneurial solutions aligned with the 3ZERO vision of Zero Poverty, Zero Unemployment, and Zero Net Carbon Emissions, as envisioned by Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. As of December 2024, the 3ZERO movement had expanded to over 4,700 clubs in 58 countries, engaging more than 23,500 youth globally.
Throughout the year, participants received continuous training, personalized consulting, and monthly mentoring from Uddog o Uddokta, a 3ZERO support organization and social business entity in Bangladesh. The final event showcased 10 selected teams, each pitching their innovative, empathy-driven business ideas.
The event was graced by several esteemed guests.
Ms. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Hon’ble Advisor, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, Government of Bangladesh, served as the Chief Guest.
Guests of Honour included:
Mr. Shafadul Islam, Associate, YY Ventures Ltd. (3Z Global Centre)
Mr. Md. Hafizur Rahman, Founding Principal, The Radius International School
Prof. Dr. ABM Shahidul Islam, Director, Bureau of Business Research, University of Dhaka
Mr. A H M Shafiquzzaman, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment
Prof. Dr. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Treasurer, University of Dhaka
In his remarks, Mr. A H M Shafiquzzaman emphasized the importance of skill development not only for foreign employment but also for addressing local industry needs. He highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between industry and academia to ensure education is aligned with market demands. He also shared that the government is planning to establish a dedicated Employment Department to better support workforce development.
Ms. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, in her speech, applauded the youth initiative and stressed that while entrepreneurship is important, we must prioritize environmental sustainability. “We must return to nature-friendly business models that protect rather than harm our environment. Initiatives such as food security and sustainable farming should use natural resources wisely and protect them for future generations,” she said.
A distinguished panel of judges evaluated the pitches based on six key criteria: empathy, clarity, innovation, feasibility, presentation skills, and potential for impact. The judging panel included:
Dr. Rubina Husain, President, SEED Foundation, Bangladesh
K. M. Hasan Ripon, Managing Director, Global Entrepreneurship Network, Bangladesh
Jahir Uddin Babar, Managing Partner, SB & Associates
Rumana Parveen Annie, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Business, University of Dhaka
The Uddog o Uddokta NextGen Impact Award 2025 was awarded to the winning team in recognition of their promising and socially impactful business idea. Additionally, the Empathy Learning Champion Award 2025 was presented to participants who demonstrated consistent commitment throughout the year-long program.
The project overview and future vision were shared by Ms. Jahan Ruma Akhtar Shirin, CEO of Uddog o Uddokta, and Dr. Forhad Hossain, Chair of Uddog o Uddokta and Assistant Professor at Sophia University, Japan.
The event was organized by Uddog o Uddokta Bangladesh, in collaboration with the 3ZERO Club, and supported by the Bureau of Business Research, University of Dhaka, and the IEEE Region 10 Adhoc Committee on Entrepreneurship and Innovation. It was proudly sponsored by Sanrin Nihongono Gakkou (Japanese Language School).
Uddog o Uddokta announced its intention to continue engaging youth through follow-up initiatives and institutionalize the project as a recurring program. The organization aims to scale the initiative nationally and globally, fostering empathy-driven entrepreneurship among youth.