Bangladeshi students of Lamar University win top prize at tech startup competition

A team of Bangladeshi students at Lamar University, Texas, has won first place at the 2025 Cardinals Ideas Pitch Competition for their breakthrough startup concept, the "Smart Conversion Injector." 

The device - an AI-assisted fuel-injection and conversion system - offers to cut emissions, reduce fuel consumption and boost real-time engine performance. Judges praised the team's pitch for its strong engineering foundation and clear commercial potential. 

The group consists of Md Majharul Islam, Mohammad Shahadat Hossain Sikdar, and Sabuj Kumar Shil, all with industry experience in engineering and power systems in Bangladesh. Their project mentor, Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, provided guidance on technical refinement, market analysis and business modelling. 

The competition, organised by the Lamar University Venture Center, received entries from multidisciplinary student innovators and was supported by sponsors including Stellar, FuelTrax and PumpTex. 

The win was described by the team as a proud moment for Bangladesh's growing global tech community.