Narottam Aryal, President at King’s College, has called for a unified national vision and dedicated institutional support to drive Nepal’s entrepreneurial growth.

Aryal made the remarks while addressing the Nepal Entrepreneurship Forum, which began Saturday, July 26, in Kathmandu. The two-day event concludes Sunday.

Reflecting on King’s College’s launch of Nepal’s first formal entrepreneurship degree in 2012, Aryal noted that at the time, the term “startup” was barely part of the public discourse.

“We didn’t begin because we were experts, but because we believed,” Aryal said, emphasising the transformative power of entrepreneurship in unlocking Nepal’s potential and reducing dependency on foreign aid.

He highlighted the ecosystem’s evolution over the past decade—pointing to a surge in startup activity, growing global outreach of Nepali ventures, the rise of alternative investment firms, and increasing public engagement through platforms like Shark Tank Nepal. “Entrepreneurial conversations are now happening in tea shops and classrooms alike,” he said.

Aryal welcomed recent momentum in government startup policies, university-based incubation centres, and the inclusion of entrepreneurship in school curricula. “The progress is exciting, but there are challenges ahead,” he remarked.

He criticised donor agencies, government bodies, and development programmes for working in silos—duplicating efforts instead of complementing one another.

Aryal proposed the creation of a dedicated national institution to coordinate, connect, and convene all ecosystem players. “The government’s role must be that of a facilitator, enabler, and regulator—not a direct competitor,” he said, warning that state overreach could undermine ecosystem dynamics.

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Calling for a long-term, integrated approach to building a sustainable entrepreneurial environment, Aryal urged stakeholders to move beyond “short-term fixes and visible quick wins,” advocating for solutions rooted in both knowledge and practical experience.

He also stressed the need to embed environmental sustainability and indigenous knowledge into Nepal’s entrepreneurial model—citing the importance of preserving cultural heritage and ensuring intergenerational equity.

“We envision a Nepal where anyone with a dream—whether in Kathmandu or Karnali—has access to networks, knowledge, and capital to bring it to life,” Aryal concluded, encouraging the forum to foster bold ideas and honest dialogue.

Organised by King’s College—one of Nepal’s leading institutions in entrepreneurship and business education—along with its research wing CERAD in association with New Business Age, the international conference, now in its second edition, focuses on building a sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem. It will feature over 25 speakers from Nepal and abroad, according to the organisers.

The two-day event aims to bring together academicians, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and other stakeholders to discuss sustainable entrepreneurship.

Minister Warns Against Concentration of Entrepreneurial Gains in the Hands of a Few

Earlier, in a message to the forum, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari urged businesses to adopt inclusive practices by involving women, marginalised communities, and youth, while promoting fair labour conditions.

The minister cautioned that entrepreneurship cannot lead to sustainable development if its benefits are concentrated in the hands of a few.

“Entrepreneurship in Nepal must move beyond traditional profit-making models to address broader economic, social, and environmental goals,” the message read. “The dream of a prosperous Nepal cannot be fulfilled by relying on imports or external assistance alone. It will only be realised through homegrown enterprises.”

Highlighting the importance of innovation, digital tools, and local value chains, Bhandari stressed that economic sustainability requires building resilient businesses capable of generating long-term value and employment.

“The government is committed to ensuring policy stability, easing business registration procedures, and facilitating access to capital,” he said.

Addressing environmental concerns, the minister called for a transition to a circular economy and praised enterprises like Herveda Botanicals, which utilise Nepal’s biodiversity for sustainable production. He hinted at possible government incentives and tax exemptions for environmentally responsible businesses.

“The world is facing a severe climate crisis, and geographically sensitive countries like Nepal are at high risk. But within this crisis lies opportunity,” Bhandari said, adding that green businesses could contribute to both environmental protection and local economic empowerment.

He further outlined key policy initiatives, including the National Startup Enterprise Policy, 2080, Startup Enterprise Loan Operating Procedure, 2081, and upcoming legislative reforms aimed at encouraging investment and innovation.

This news has been updated.