Kathmandu came alive with a celebration of female leadership during the fifth edition of the “NewBiz Business Women Summit and Awards 2025” on May 7. Organized by New Business Age Ltd, the annual event honored 13 outstanding women entrepreneurs from across Nepal, recognizing their innovation, resilience, and impact on the nation’s economy and society.

Since its inception in 2021, the “NewBiz Business Women Summit and Awards” has become a flagship platform for championing women’s achievements in entrepreneurship. With a mission to empower women and enhance their visibility in the business landscape, the summit has grown into a prominent annual gathering of innovators, thought leaders and change makers.

Celebrating Excellence and Leadership

The 2025 edition marked a significant milestone in the event’s journey, presenting awards at both national and provincial levels. Among the honors were a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award and recognitions across six major categories. The event was graced by Chief Guest Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada, Economic Advisor to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Finance Minister. Krishna Bahadur Raut, Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, attended the ceremony as Special Guest.

The summit opened with a thought-provoking panel discussion on “Redefining Women’s Role in Business”, featuring insights from Dr Prakash Kumar Shrestha of the National Planning Commission; Prasanna Basnet, Founder of Cotton Mill Nepal; and Astha Sharma, Managing Director of Code Rush. The session was moderated by Engineer Mahesh Mahato, Founder of Cosmic Electrical Limited.

Honoring Trailblazing Entrepreneurs

(Lifetime Achievement Award in Women Entrepreneurship: Gyani Shobha Tuladhar, Namuna College of Fashion Technology (Second from left)

The awards ceremony celebrated the remarkable journeys of 13 exemplary women from diverse sectors. The 2025 NewBiz Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Gyani Shobha Tuladhar of Namuna College of Fashion Technology, in recognition of her pioneering contributions to fashion education in Nepal. Ava Shah of Silver Mountain School of Hotel Management was named Best Woman Entrepreneur for her transformative work in hospitality education. In the technology sector, Sunaina Pandey of General Technology Pvt Ltd, Kathmandu, was honored as Woman in Tech for her leadership in driving digital innovation.

(Professional Women of Excellence: Sangeeta Thapa, Siddhartha Art Gallery)

Sangeeta Thapa, founder of Siddhartha Art Gallery in Kathmandu, received the Professional Woman of Excellence award for her long-standing contributions to Nepal’s contemporary art and culture. In the SME sector, Ganga Chhantyal of Unique Sewa Garment, Kathmandu, was recognized as the Inspiring Woman Entrepreneur for her resilience in growing a successful garment business. Similarly, the Youth Woman Entrepreneur award went to Keshma Thapa of KB Agro and Research Company, Dhading, for her work in sustainable agriculture.

[Inspiring Women Entrepreneur: Ganga Chhantyal, Unique Sewa Garment (Centre)]

[Women in Tech Award: Sunaina Pandey, General Technology Pvt. Ltd. (Centre)]

[Youth Women Entrepreneur Award: Keshma Thapa, KB Agro & Research Company (Centre)]

[Best Woman Entrepreneur Award: Ava Shah, Silver Mountain School of Hotel Management (Centre)]

Emerging Enterprising Woman of the Year

To recognize grassroots entrepreneurship across Nepal, the “Emerging Enterprising Woman of the Year” awards honored one exceptional entrepreneur from each of the seven provinces. From the lush hills of Ilam in Koshi Province, Deepa Gurung of Green City Ilam Lollipop Industry was recognized for her sweet success in local manufacturing. In Madhesh Province, Kabita Khadka of Madhya Nepal Press, Parsa, was honored for breaking barriers in the traditionally male-dominated printing industry.

In Bagamati Province, Geeta Amatya of Amatya Stores, Nuwakot, was lauded for building a community-focused retail business. Gandaki Province’s honor went to Rajani Sharma Chapai of Rakshya Chapagain Stores, Kaski, for becoming a role model to aspiring women entrepreneurs in the region. From Lumbini Province, Prem Kumari Pun of Prem Ni.Sa Allo Dhago Tatha Tayari Poshak Udhyog, Dang, was recognized for preserving and commercializing Nepal’s traditional allo fiber crafts.

In Karnali Province, Kalasa Devi Chaulagai of Karnali Agro Industries, Surkhet, was honored for her contributions to food processing and agro-based innovation. Finally, representing Sudurpaschim Province, Indira Regmi of Ruin Chappal Udhyog, Achham, was honored for establishing a footwear business that empowers local women and supports rural livelihoods. Each recipient in this category received a cash prize of Rs 51,000, personally sponsored—continuing a cherished tradition—by Prema Rajya Laxmi Devi Singh, Chairperson of National Life Insurance Company.

[Kabita Khadka, Madhya Nepal Press, Madhesh Province (Centre)]

[Deepa Gurung, Green City Ilam Lollypop Industry, Koshi Province (Centre)]

[Indira Regmi, Ruin Chappal Udyog, Sudurpaschim Province (Centre)]

[Kalasa Devi Chaulagai, Karnali Agro Industries, Karnali Province (Centre)]

[Prem Kumari Pun, Prem Ni.Sa Allo Dhago Tatha Tayari Poshak Udyog, Lumbini Province (Centre)]

[Rajani Sharma Chapai, Rakshya Chapagain Stores, Gandaki Province (Centre)]

[Geeta Amatya, Amatya Stores, Bagamati Province (Centre)]

Winners were selected from over 2,000 nominations through a rigorous, multi-stage evaluation process. An independent panel, comprising Basanti Pradhan, CEO of Batika Nepal Pvt. Ltd.; Urmila Shrestha, CEO of Salt Trading Corporation Ltd; Shrijana Rana, Executive Director of the Annapurna Group of Hotels; and Sahara Joshi, CEO of Himalayan Bamboo Pvt Ltd, evaluated candidates based on legal compliance, economic contribution, innovation, public image and technological integration.

A Deeper Mission of Empowerment

(Madan Lamsal, Chairperson of New Business Age Ltd addressing the event.)

Addressing the event, Madan Lamsal, Chairperson of New Business Age Ltd, highlighted the deeper purpose behind the celebration. “This is more than an award ceremony,” he said. “It is a movement—an effort to mainstream women in entrepreneurship, promote financial literacy and foster equal opportunities across the country.” Lamsal added that the recognition of women’s perseverance and potential can act as a catalyst for future enterprise. “We reached every geography and circumstance across the seven provinces to spread the light of financial literacy,” he said.

Voices from the Top

Chief Guest Dr Khatiwada praised the summit’s theme and its potential to influence national policy. “As the government prepares the upcoming budget, the issues raised here will be considered for integration into national programs,” he said. While acknowledging women’s strong participation in cooperatives and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), he stressed the need for broader economic involvement. “Without entrepreneurship and productivity development, women cannot rise meaningfully,” he said. “We must cultivate entrepreneurship to truly empower women in the labor force.”

Special Guest Raut reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing women’s entrepreneurship. “A Women Entrepreneurship Fund has supported many in the past,” he said. “Now, several such funds have been consolidated into a single Investment and Industrial Promotion Fund, with specific provisions for women entrepreneurs. This new program is set to launch in the upcoming fiscal year following the budget announcement.”

The 2025 edition of the summit was made possible through the support of numerous corporate and institutional partners. In addition to title sponsor Prabhu Bank, key supporters included Salt Trading Corporation, Citizen Life Insurance, Citizens Bank International, Muktinath Bikas Bank, Everest Bank, NLG Insurance, Nabil Bank, Rastriya Banijya Bank, Sitaram Gokul Milk, Krishi Bikas Bank, Reliable Life Insurance, City Express Money Transfer, National Life Insurance, Life Insurance Corporation Nepal, Garima Bikas Bank, NLG Insurance, TATA Curve EV and Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance (SALICO). Event logistics were managed by Vogue Ad and Event Management.

(This article was originally published in  June 2025 issue  of New Business Age Magazine.)