Inside the NASA Space Apps Challenge – Bangaldesh's Journey of Dreams, Struggles, and Triumph

A Story That Began on Carpets

In 2012, something magical began in a quiet corner of BASIS Auditorium in Dhaka. A group of young dreamers sat cross-legged on carpets, huddled around laptops. There were no fancy desks, no high-speed internet, and barely enough power to keep things running. They weren’t seasoned experts—they were students, curious and excited, armed with nothing but ideas and the belief that they could make something extraordinary happen.

The first year was messy. Three teams started, but none could finish their projects. Yet, something even more important was achieved—a spark of hope, a shared dream that this challenge could grow into something much bigger.

From Scrappy Beginnings to Global Aspirations

By 2013, more students joined—teams from BRAC University, Daffodil University, UIU, along with MobioApp and Wintel BD. This time, we didn’t just have ideas; we had each other. Sitting on carpets again, BASIS staff brought food, water, pens, paper—everything we needed to keep going. Power outages tried to stop us, but they didn’t. When one team couldn’t complete their project, everyone else pitched in to help them finish and submit. We weren’t competing; we were collaborating.

That year, no one cared if we won. We cared that we learned, that we laughed, and that we came back stronger.

By 2015, we had grown. Mentors began training to guide participants. Teams received guides to help them navigate challenges. Projects became more polished, more thoughtful. And then came 2018—the year we became global champions. It wasn’t just a win for a team; it was a win for a nation.

The Hat Trick That Changed Everything

From 2021 to 2023, Bangladesh achieved the unthinkable—a hat trick of global wins. Three years in a row, our young innovators stood tall on the global stage, proving that brilliance doesn’t need resources or privilege—it needs passion, resilience, and belief.

These wins weren’t just medals. They were stories. Stories of students who stayed awake for 48 hours to fix a bug. Of mentors who sacrificed their weekends to train others. Of power outages and carpets that turned into platforms for world-changing ideas.

To Every Young Dreamer: This Is Your Story

Dear students of Bangladesh, this isn’t just a story about NASA or technology. This is a story about you. It’s about the student who believes they’re not good enough because they don’t have the right tools. It’s about a group of friends who think their small idea doesn’t matter.

Every one of you holds untapped potential—an ability to dream, create, and lead. The NASA Space Apps Challenge proves that you don’t need to be perfect to start. All you need is courage. Courage to try, to fail, to get back up, and to try again.

The journey from sitting on carpets to standing on a global stage wasn’t smooth, but it was worth every struggle. And if we could do it, so can you. You are the dreamers, the builders, and the future champions.

The Bigger Picture: Building a Nation of Innovators

Bangladesh is a nation of young minds waiting to be unleashed. Imagine a future where every school, every university, and every student has the opportunity to innovate, to create solutions for the world’s biggest challenges. This isn’t just about winning global awards—it’s about building a Bangladesh where young people lead, inspire, and transform the world.

So to the students reading this: Start today. Join the challenge. Share your ideas. Work with your friends. Learn, fail, and grow. Because every global champion started where you are right now—with a dream and the courage to pursue it.

The Journey Ahead

The NASA Space Apps Challenge has been more than a competition—it’s been a movement, specially for Bangaldesh and more so for the youths of Bangladesh. A movement of collaboration, hope, and belief in what young people can achieve when given a chance. We possibly fail a few, or at least stumble a lot. But one story stands out the most, which we cherish for a long time!!

The future is waiting for you to take your place. What will you create next? The world is ready to hear your story.