The Dhaka Times Desk Visa, the world leader in digital payments, has announced the launch of the fourth edition of the Visa Accelerator Program.
Applications are now being accepted from Bangladeshi fintech and growth-stage startups. The aim of this initiative is to ensure the growth of startups in Bangladesh by utilizing the potential of Visa payment experts. This year's edition will focus on topics like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Global Money Movement, Digital Acceptance for Micro, Small and Medium Businesses (MSMBS) and Embedded Finance with new areas (opportunities) like Loyalty of the Future.
Commenting on the launch of the program, Visa Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal Country Manager Soumya Basu said, “We are delighted to invite promising payment-related innovations to the Visa Accelerator Programme. We are hopeful that their capacity will increase further with the cooperation of Visa. Through this program, startups will have the opportunity to work with our subject-matter experts and test their solutions for real-world applicability. Such opportunity will contribute in smoothing the path of growth. Our aim is to create a seamless and secure money movement system by ensuring a positive experience in global payments.”
Designed for potential companies in the expansion phase, this program focuses on a variety of topics. Emphasis will be placed on proof of concept, product solutions to sector-specific problems, and rapid commercialization of products. Besides, partnership opportunities will be created, through which the growth of startups will be accelerated. The program will feature select startups from the Asia-Pacific region addressing the challenges facing the payments ecosystem sector. The program provides opportunities for startups to develop and test new solutions; In addition, startups will have the opportunity to use Visa's extensive network (financial institutions, merchants and digital partners) to understand whether new solutions will work in the market. Launched in 2020, the Visa Accelerator Program continues to support advanced-level startups by providing access to experienced mentors, cutting-edge technology and endless investment opportunities.
The application will end on March 8. The selected startups will be associated with this program from May to November this year. Later the program will conclude with the Demo Day.
For more details and interested startups to apply visit this link: www.visa.com.sg/apaccelerator.
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How to prevent dengue
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral fever. This fever is different from other viral or bacterial fevers. However, this fever is not contagious in any way. This viral fever can occur alone or in combination with other viruses (chikungunya, yellow fever, Burma forest, flu, respiratory syncytial) and bacteria (pneumococcus).
Dengue fever is divided into two categories depending on the severity of symptoms and fever.
1. Common dengue fever
2. Dengue fever with bleeding.
In the case of common dengue fever, the following symptoms are mainly seen-
1. Sudden high fever lasting 2 to 7 days.
2. Severe headache.
3. Pain behind the eyes.
4. Along with the fever, red rash appears all over the body.
5. Severe pain in whole body as well as back pain.
6. Nausea or vomiting.
7. A rash or red bumps on the skin.
In case of dengue fever with bleeding:
1. Bleeding from nose, mouth or vomiting with high fever within 2 to 48 hours.
2. Fluid accumulation in chest or abdomen along with fever.
If any of these symptoms appear, seek medical attention immediately.
On the other hand
Wait at home for the first 3 days of fever. On the other hand, sponge the whole body with water every now and then. This will reduce the level of fever. Drink enough water and rest. After that, if the fever does not decrease or if it continues to increase after some time, consult a doctor immediately.
Things to do to prevent Dengue:
1. Try to keep the surroundings of the house as clean as possible.
2. If there are flower tubs or broken plastic bottles, can shells, tires or polythene inside the house, clean them quickly and drain the accumulated water from the flower tubs.
3. Spray or fog at least 3 times a week to kill mosquitoes.
4. You can keep mosquito repellent cream with you while going out.
5. After evening, younger and older members of the household should use mosquito nets.
6. Clean up any accumulated rain water, as this is the time when Aedes mosquitoes lay their eggs.
7. On the other hand, you can use mats along with mosquito nets to avoid mosquito infestation.
8. Since Aedes mosquitoes bite during the day, it is important to avoid sleeping with mosquito nets while sleeping during the day. Source: https://dmpnews.org
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