Applications for the six-month accelerator program, which supports early-stage founders building ethical, responsible, and impactful businesses, are open until December 20.
Onnorokom Uddokta (OU), a nonprofit accelerator and incubator program under Onnorokom Group, has launched applications for its second cohort. This follows significant success from its first batch, with nearly half of Cohort-1 businesses reportedly achieving 6-10x growth during the program. This outcome is presented as a validation of OU’s founder-first philosophy, which prioritizes evaluating founders over their initial business models.
This announcement comes six months after OU launched its inaugural cohort in June 2025, which included 21 early-stage businesses across sectors such as agriculture, education, healthcare, and technology.
The accelerator is enhancing its support structure for Cohort-2, scheduled to commence in February 2026. Applications for this cohort are currently open, and further details, along with the application portal, are available online.
Application Details:
- Application Deadline: December 20, 2025
- Program Start: February 2026
- Application Link: Apply Here
- Announcement Video:
The Program
Cohort-2 is designed to offer extensive support over a six-month period, including:
- Monthly in-person workshops: Two full-day sessions each month focusing on strategy, operations, and growth. These are considered vital for fostering connections within Bangladesh’s business environment.
- Weekly online learning: Consistent live sessions are held to ensure ongoing engagement between workshops.
- Dedicated 1:1 coaching: Entrepreneurs receive personalized guidance on business clarity, leadership, execution, and strategy, addressing a common need for experienced advisors.
- Investor access: Participants gain exposure to OU’s network of ecosystem partners and investors who align with impact-driven ventures, which is particularly valuable in a market where early-stage funding can be limited and relies on relationships.
- Co-Working Space: Selected businesses are provided with access to a physical workspace to facilitate collaboration, productivity, and teamwork throughout the program duration.
- Mentorship Network: A network of local and international mentors offers expertise across various areas, including business strategy, technology, operations, and financial modeling.
- Financial Modeling Support: Practical assistance is available to enhance financial understanding and prepare businesses for potential investment.
Who Should Apply
Cohort-2 is designed for businesses that have moved past the initial idea phase, specifically targeting entrepreneurs who are already operational and are either entering or preparing for a growth stage. Onnorokom Uddokta accepts businesses of any sector or size, from new startups to established SMEs, provided that founders exhibit commitment, a capacity for learning, resilience, and a responsibility-driven approach.
The selection process is described as highly competitive and prioritizes individuals. Potential applicants are advised to submit their applications promptly.
OU’s sector-agnostic strategy sets it apart from accelerators that focus solely on technology, recognizing the need for varied solutions within Bangladesh’s entrepreneurial landscape.
A core part of OU’s mission is to foster ethical businesses, emphasizing people over concepts. This helps founders develop ventures that generate value with integrity and a long-term sense of responsibility. The organization aims to cultivate entrepreneurs who blend innovation with thoughtful decision-making, thereby strengthening communities and ensuring sustainable business expansion.
Context
Entrepreneurship has become a vital economic force in Bangladesh, with over 2 million young people joining the workforce each year. However, the country’s support infrastructure for entrepreneurs is not as developed as in more mature markets.
While nations like the US, China, and India boast thousands of accelerator programs, Bangladesh has only a limited number. Accelerators such as Y Combinator and Techstars have significantly influenced startup ecosystems globally by offering mentorship, networking opportunities, capital, and resources to emerging companies.
Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh frequently encounter challenges such as inconsistent mentorship, limited early-stage funding, regulatory obstacles, and a scarcity of experienced advisors. Onnorokom Uddokta’s model, supported by a successful local conglomerate, delivers localized assistance that addresses these specific difficulties. The Onnorokom Group’s extensive network provides founders with access to resources and connections that would typically take considerable time to establish.
Application Insights
The reported 6-10x growth among nearly half of Cohort-1 businesses offers initial validation for the program. The ongoing challenge for Onnorokom Uddokta will be to sustain this success rate as it expands and to foster the creation of enduring businesses that thrive beyond the accelerator phase.
The long-term impact will become evident as Cohort-1 companies progress through their growth stages and Cohort-2 commences. Onnorokom Uddokta demonstrates a notable commitment from a local conglomerate towards fostering entrepreneurship, signifying an investment in developing the overall ecosystem rather than merely engaging with it.
