Biratnagar Industry Leaders Unite to Fund Innovation-Driven Startups

The business community of Biratnagar, led by the Chamber of Industries Morang, has launched the Biratnagar Angel Investors Network (BAIN) to connect startups with potential investors. The initiative aims to create an investor pool and foster partnerships in innovation-driven enterprises under the theme “Idea to Impact.”

Chief Minister of Koshi Province, Hikmat Kumar Karki, inaugurated the network on Friday. Coordinator Suyash Pyakurel announced that BAIN has set up an initial investment pool of Rs 20 million (approximately USD 150,000) with contributions from several investors and invited more to join.

Nine startups showcased their business ideas at the launch event, seeking funding and partnership from angel investors. The participating companies included TechOn Nepal, Cyber Alert Nepal, SISA, Solvy, Aara Technology Pvt Ltd, Kukhuri Ka, Aarti Flower, Apex Biotech & Agroforestry Research Center Pvt Ltd, and Susan Bista Institute of Flight & Drone.

BAIN’s first group of angel investors—Mahesh Jaju, Suyash Pyakurel, Rakesh Surana, Bhuleshwor Dulal, Surendra Golchha, Pratyush Raut, Sujit Jha, and Kiran Vyas—expressed readiness to invest in these startups.

Prateek Raut, Coordinator of the Entrepreneurship and Startup Program at the Chamber of Industries Morang, said the network will conduct detailed studies and due diligence before finalizing agreements and releasing investments.

After reviewing the startup presentations, Chief Minister Karki pledged provincial government’s support for the nine projects.

President of the Chamber, Nandkishor Rathi, said startups have faced funding shortages for the past five years. He explained that the association established BAIN as a non-profit organization to address this challenge by uniting investors and supporting startups over the long term.

Rathi stressed that startups need more than just capital—they require professional experience and networks. “BAIN will provide both financial backing and business expertise,” he said, adding that the network will benefit both investors and entrepreneurs by creating new investment opportunities.

Pyakurel noted that the association incubated over 100 startup ideas in the past five years. He said early-stage and first-generation startups often struggle to attract funding and emphasized that BAIN will bridge this gap by offering funding and business services. He urged the provincial government to recognize BAIN as an official entrepreneurship partner, simplify startup registration policies, provide tax incentives for angel investments, establish a seed capital fund, and appoint a liaison officer to coordinate with the network.

The Chamber of Industries Morang pledged to continue running the Startup & Innovation Program to strengthen a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem. It also operates the Biratnagar Incubation Center to provide co-working and networking spaces for early-stage businesses.