Founding Member
Dr. Shah Yunus
Dr. Shah Yunus is a distinguished technologist and entrepreneur whose professional journey began at BUET, where he studied and later taught as a Lecturer before completing his PhD at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). He went on to spend sixteen years at ANSYS (now part of Synopsys), becoming the company’s first Corporate Fellow and leading foundational R&D efforts in engineering simulation. He later served as CTO of ESI Group (now part of Keysight Technologies), directing global research programs and shaping next-generation modeling and simulation technologies. Alongside his corporate leadership, he has founded software companies such as Sentrana and iQ3Connect, invested in numerous early-stage ventures through BlueTree Allied Angels and BlueTree Venture Fund, and advised technology firms on strategy, innovation, and M&A due diligence. His independent research today focuses on how technology, IP regimes, and economic history shape the development divide between the West and the Global South.
As a volunteer Founding Member of MillionX Bangladesh, Dr. Yunus contributes a rare combination of global industry experience, entrepreneurial insight, and deep national commitment. He is especially driven by the question of how Bangladesh can achieve a 10x increase in per-capita GDP within a generation and sees MillionX as a platform to build the talent, institutional strength, and innovation capacity needed to make that transformation possible. His work supports the mission of nurturing a million 10x minds—empowering the next generation to lead Bangladesh into an AI-enabled future.
People Before Programs
More Founding Members

Lt. Col. (Retd.) Mohammad Shafi Chowdhury, PhD, psc
National security strategist and digital governance expert with four decades in ICT and cyber policy. At MillionX, he guides ethical AI governance, digital integrity, and national resilience in the emerging AI era.

M Manjur Mahmud
President of Datasoft and architect of large-scale national and global digital systems, including microfin360, port automation, and fintech ventures across multiple countries. Ecosystem builder, adjunct faculty, and innovation champion. Founding member helping MillionX nurture a million 10x minds and drive Bangladesh’s AI future.

Dr. Zunaid Kazi
AI pioneer, former IBM Watson researcher, and ex-BUET faculty. Founder and CEO of Knowtomation, an inventor with US patents and published research, and a leading voice on AI and Bangladesh's future through op-eds and essays. Founding member committed to nurturing a million 10x minds and building Bangladesh's AI talent pipeline.
