Rise of Dubotech: From student researchers to startup champions

Dubotech Digital Ltd, a BracU student and alumni-led startup, made history at the National SME Entrepreneurship Award as they bagged Bangladesh’s Best Startup Award 2025. BracU CSE alumnus Mahfujul Haque (Co-founder & COO, Dubotech) received the award on behalf of the entire team amid a pompous celebration of brilliant innovation and excellent teamwork.

Soumik Hasan Shranto (Senior, CSE), Co-founder & CMO at Dubotech Digital Ltd., shared the inspiring story behind the inception of Dubotech. He shared how the journey of Dubotech truly began at Brac University, when BRACU Duburi was formed and became the pioneers of Bangladesh’s underwater robotics. In 2023, BRACU Duburi emerged as the runner-up at the prestigious global robotics competition, Robosub. From then onwards, the team kept the light of innovation alive and formed Dubotech in 2024. Seven years’ worth of dedication inspired this startup, making a dynamic shift in Bangladesh’s underwater exploration.

Dubotech’s vision behind underwater exploration using Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) comes from a sense of wonder to unveil the resources of the Bay of Bengal that have been long lost in the depths of the waters, along with ancient settlements. Also, Dubotech aims to use its ROVs to provide inspection services to large ships and submerged structures, bringing a huge prospect for Bangladesh’s economy.

Soumik shared about the major challenges they faced throughout the journey, of which getting investment and market penetration were the most difficult. Winning such a notable accolade this year and previously at Shark Tank Bangladesh last year has brought them the market validation they needed to describe their vision to people. “These achievements break the boundaries for us, and we dive even further”, Soumik reflected. Dubotech’s team strongly believes in collective effort and team strengthening, which makes them unbeatable in their forte. Other founding members of Dubotech and also BracU alumni, Nayem Saikat, Sayantan Roy, Mahfujul Haque, Z.K. Xenon, A.T.M. Masum Billah along with core members Nishat Ulfat Ullah, Shimano Shahriar Dhrubo, Mehedi Hossain Ratul and Md. Motaqabbir Rahman has formed this thriving team of entrepreneurs and researchers.

Future projects, such as getting the code to identify oceanographic research equipment and launching Octopus 3.0, a ROV designed to overcome the murky water and high inside current problems in the Bay of Bengal, are being anticipated from the team for 2026. Dubotech’s remarkable achievements inspire student researchers to think beyond challenges and elevate entrepreneurship through innovation.