Dhaka: International consulting firm LightCastle Partners, in collaboration with global technology giant Meta, has introduced the Meta Small Business Growth Academy in Bangladesh, aiming to enhance the digital and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities of small and medium-sized businesses.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the initiative is designed to equip small business owners and entrepreneurs with practical training on Meta’s digital platforms and AI-driven tools. This training is intended to assist businesses in reaching new customers, boosting productivity, enhancing marketing strategies, and exploring opportunities for expansion in both local and international markets, as highlighted in a press release issued on Sunday.
The programme, spearheaded by LightCastle Partners, will feature workshops and various activities aimed at empowering entrepreneurs to strengthen their online presence, utilize digital platforms effectively, and create new business opportunities. Bangladesh’s burgeoning ecosystem of small and medium-sized enterprises, coupled with its expanding digital economy, presents opportunities for garment suppliers, agricultural producers, and other entrepreneurs to connect with customers and grow their operations.
The training will encompass areas such as enhancing online presence, boosting digital platform capabilities, refining digital marketing strategies, increasing the use of AI-powered tools, improving customer engagement, and identifying business expansion opportunities. “At Meta, we see every day how small businesses use our AI-enabled tools to reach customers and grow,” stated Tehara Punchihewa, Associate Public Policy Manager at Meta. “The Small Business Growth Academy is about giving more entrepreneurs the practical skills and support they need to use these tools confidently, compete more effectively, and participate in the opportunities being created by the digital economy,” she added.
The Small Business Growth Academy is set to roll out in 12 countries across the Asia-Pacific region, with an initial target of supporting over 10,000 businesses. The training programmes will be customized to address the specific needs and business conditions of each local market.
“At LightCastle Partners, we observe daily how investing in grassroots entrepreneurship transforms communities and drives inclusive economic progress,” commented Bijon Islam, CEO of LightCastle Partners. “Our partnership efforts are about providing more founders with the mentorship, insights, and structural support they need to build competitive enterprises and contribute actively to regional development,” he emphasized.
This initiative forms part of Meta’s broader Asia-Pacific programme, through which the company will collaborate with governments, industry partners, and local business organizations to help entrepreneurs develop practical skills necessary for thriving in the digital economy.