Stage Set for NewBiz Business Women Summit and Awards 2026

The sixth edition of NewBiz Business Women Summit and Awards 2026 is all set to be held in Kathmandu within a fortnight, with 14 women entrepreneurs to be honoured across eight categories, the organisers said.

New Business Age, the publisher of Arthik Abhiyan daily and New Business Age magazine, has been organizing the annual event since 2021 with the objective of encouraging women entrepreneurs and recognising their contributions to entrepreneurship.

IME Life Insurance is the title sponsor of this year’s programme. As part of this award ceremony, one woman entrepreneur from each province will be recognised as an Emerging Enterprising Woman, along with a cash prize.

Other award categories this year include Special Recognition for Contribution on Women Entrepreneurship Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Best Woman Entrepreneur Award, Professional Woman of Excellence Award, Woman in Tech Award, Youth Woman Entrepreneur Award, and Best Business Woman Award, according to the organiser.

The event is scheduled to be held in Kathmandu on February 13. The theme for this year is “New Economy through Women’s Leadership”, and the programme will also feature a panel discussion among stakeholders focused on the same theme.

The summit is being supported by Sipradi Trading, Salt Trading Corporation, LIC Nepal, National Life Insurance, Citizen Life Insurance, Global IME Bank, Fonepay, Machhapuchchhre Bank, Siddhartha Premier Insurance, Nabil Bank, Kajaria Tiles, NLG Insurance, Sitaram Milk, NMB Bank Limited, Muktinath Bikas Bank, Reliable Life Insurance and Curvv EV.

3,226 Applications Received

New Business Age Limited said it received 3,226 applications from across the country for the awards. Applications were opened from November 26.

Information on the application process was published through the organiser’s national daily Aarthik Abhiyan, its online platforms—newbusinessage.com and abhiyansaily.com—as well as their social media channels. In addition, award participation forms were distributed through central, provincial and local bodies of organisations including the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs’ Associations of Nepal (FWEAN), the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and the Handicraft Association of Nepal.

Applicants were allowed to submit forms via email, WhatsApp and QR code scanning, with both printed and digital submissions accepted. The applications were reviewed by an independent jury committee comprising experts.

According to the committee, applications were received from women engaged in entrepreneurship across diverse sectors, including agricultural production, packaging and marketing, processing of local raw materials, international trade, education, health and tourism. Following an initial evaluation, 2,000 applicants were selected in the first phase, with the final 100 shortlisted for the awards.