Local Roots, Global Vision: Nepal Entrepreneurship Forum 2025

“We are in the era of a technology-driven society and business, where the speed of technology is ahead of the market,” said Prof Satyajit Majumdar at the Nepal Entrepreneurship Forum (NEF) held in Kathmandu in late July. The two-day event was organized by King’s College, one of Nepal’s leading institutions in entrepreneurship education, under the theme “Towards a Sustainable Entrepreneurship Ecosystem”. It was hosted in collaboration with its research wing, the Centre for Research and Development (CERAD), and in association with New Business Age.

The forum brought together over 500 participants, including entrepreneurs, academics, policymakers, and students from Nepal and abroad. It combined academic depth with practical insights, offering a comprehensive look at the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship.

Exploring the Ecosystem

Panel discussions in the Forum tackled key issues shaping the future of entrepreneurship in Nepal and beyond. Topics included the role of local governments in nurturing startups and innovative financial models for sustainability to integrate social economy principles in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The first day of the event explored AI-powered business models, the banking sector’s influence on entrepreneurial growth and the link between entrepreneurship and national development. Speakers of the session emphasized inclusive entrepreneurship, calling for equitable access and opportunities for all. Similarly, on the second day, the focus turned to mentorship, policy reform, climate-smart business practices, economic freedom and public-private partnerships. Discussions highlighted the need to balance profit with purpose and environmental stewardship.

“The Nepal Entrepreneurship Forum has become a vibrant space for innovation, inclusive growth and cross-border collaboration,” said Sagun Baba Shrestha, Conference Coordinator. “Beyond dialogue, it has forged meaningful connections to help build a resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nepal.” The event was inaugurated jointly by Prof Majumdar; Dr Prativa Pandey; and Ken Shimizu, FAO Country Representative for Bhutan and Nepal.

In his welcome remarks, CERAD Head and Conference Convener Chittaranjan Pandey described the gathering as a milestone. “Every step we take helps foster an environment where like-minded individuals can connect, grow and contribute to a vibrant, inclusive and forward-thinking entrepreneurial ecosystem that fuels economic growth,” he said.

Policy Perspective

In his written message, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari stressed that entrepreneurship must benefit more than just a privileged few if Nepal is to achieve sustainable development. “We cannot rely on imports or foreign aid alone,” he wrote. “The dream of a prosperous Nepal will be built through homegrown enterprises.” He outlined government priorities such as policy stability, simplified business registration, better access to capital and incentives for environmentally responsible businesses. Bhandari also called for a shift to a circular economy and cited Herveda Botanicals as a successful example of using the country’s biodiversity for sustainable products.

Technology as a Leveler

Drawing from his experience in some of India’s most underserved regions, Prof Majumdar emphasized that technology must be inclusive. He expanded the definition of technology beyond tools to include indigenous knowledge, community skills and local innovation.

“Technology is a package of knowledge, skill and artefact,” he said. “It must be adapted to local contexts and supported by enabling laws and institutions.” He warned against one-size-fits-all solutions and called for adaptive models tailored to each community. Majumdar advocated for stronger market access for small producers, more efficient public procurement and direct platforms linking grassroots innovators with consumers.

Ecosystem over Individualism

Dr Prativa Pandey, who works in Nepal’s medicinal and aromatic plants sector, challenged the “lone hero” myth in entrepreneurship. “Success is not built in isolation,” she said. “How high we fly depends on the winds of the ecosystem around us.”

She described regulatory hurdles, lack of resources and skill shortages that forced her team to innovate in both processes and products. Pandey advised against premature scaling, stressing that building internal capacity is a must before expanding.

Agriculture as Innovation Frontier

FAO’s Ken Shimizu pointed out that fewer than 10,000 of Nepal’s 350,000 registered enterprises are in the agriculture sector, despite high-value potential in commodities like black cardamom and specialty honey. Challenges, according to Shimizu, include lack of finance, poor infrastructure, low digital literacy and climate risk. He highlighted FAO initiatives such as the Youth Food Lab and the World Food Forum that aim to incubate youth-led agro-enterprises. Only 20–25% of Nepal’s agribusinesses are AI-ready, he warned, calling for targeted investments in digital infrastructure and training.

Bridging Policy and Practice

In a panel moderated by CA Sandesh Paudyal, experts including Rajan Sharma (FNCCI), Anu Joshi Shrestha, Sabnam Shivakoti (Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development), and Sunita Nhemaphuki (R&D Innovative Solution) examined why Nepal’s agricultural exports remain mostly raw and unprocessed.

They called for greater value addition, improved certification, better coordination between exporters and government and strategic entry into value chains. Agriculture, which employs two-thirds of Nepal’s population and contributes 25% percent of GDP, can drive entrepreneurship with the right innovation, discipline and support, they added.

Toward a Shared Vision

King’s College President Narottam Aryal proposed establishing a national institution to coordinate Nepal’s scattered entrepreneurial ecosystem. He called on the government to act as a facilitator, enabler and regulator, not a competitor.

In his closing address, New Business Age Chairperson and CEO Madan Lamsal summed up the Forum’s message and said entrepreneurship must solve real problems, anchor itself in social innovation and prioritize sustainability. Quoting Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, he added: “A charity dollar has only one life; a social business dollar can be invested over and over again.”

For King’s College, the NEF 2025 marks another milestone in Nepal’s entrepreneurial journey—from its 2016 International Conference on Social Entrepreneurship to today’s growing platform for sustainable and inclusive innovation.

This report was originally published in September 2025 issue of New Business Age magazine.