Being a finalist in multiple high-impact competitions taught me more than wins ever could. Here's what I learned from each event

Creaventure 3.0 - National Idea Pitching Competition by DUEDC

Organized by the Dhaka University Entrepreneurship Development Club (DUEDC), Creaventure 3.0 provided a rigorous platform to test business ideas under pressure. The competition featured six training sessions, bootcamps, mentorship, and a grand finale in May 2024-hosted at Hotel Bengal Blueberry with participation from over 200 teams nationwide.

• Preparation is everything-bootcamps equipped us with pitch finesse and clarity.

• Mentorship matters-valuable feedback shaped our presentation into a more refined idea.

Optimity 2024 - Investment & Portfolio Management Competition

Hosted by the NSU Finance Club and sponsored by The City Bank, Optimity 2024 stands as the premier investment and portfolio challenge for students in Bangladesh. With a BDT 300,000 prize pool, this event spanned two workshops and three rounds, ranging from MCQ evaluations to real-world case presentations.

• Strategic thinking under pressure-live data-driven portfolio crafting sharpened our analytical skills.

• Adaptability-transitioning from theoretical finance to dynamic scenarios enhances real-world readiness.

Pitchstudio - National Pitch by SUST Business Club

An engaging national business idea pitching competition hosted by the SUST Business Club, Pitchstudio challenged us to present compelling business models in a structured, multi-round format.

• Concise storytelling-tight pitches demanded clarity and impactful messaging.

• Team synergy under time constraints-rapid coordination proved critical.

Three Zero Policy Hackathon - by SBIF

This business idea generation competition, based on the "Three Zero" policy, was organized by the Southeast Business Innovation Forum (SBIF). It invited participants to frame innovative ideas aligned with transformative national policy goals.

• Purpose-driven ideation-aligning solutions with policy directions amplifies relevance.

• Creative constraint-framing ideas within defined policy themes fosters sharper innovation.

Across these platforms, my journey revealed that reaching a finalist position is about more than pitching-it's about evolving. I learned how mentorship reshapes ideas, workshops refine strategy, and each stage tests adaptability. These experiences weren't just about competing-they were about learning to pitch smart, think strategic, and innovate with purpose.