काठमाडौं ।
The Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NICCI) hosted the Nepal-India Startup Samvad at The Malla Hotel today, convening policymakers, innovation leaders, media representatives, and emerging startup founders to mark an important milestone in cross- border entrepreneurial collaboration.
The event celebrated the successful completion of the inaugural cohort of the India-Nepal Startup Partnership Network (IN-SPAN), a flagship initiative facilitated by IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation (IIT Madras) with the support of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Under the program, 24 Nepali startups participated in an intensive eight- week residency within the IIT Madras innovation ecosystem, gaining access to advanced mentorship, technological guidance, and market exposure.
A significant outcome of the cohort was that nine startups secured exclusive investment and incubation offers from leading Indian incubation platforms – a strong indicator of the rising potential of Nepal’s innovation ecosystem and the value of regional cooperation.
In his welcome address, President of NICCI Sunil KC, reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to placing innovation and entrepreneurship at the center of Nepal-India economic engagement. He emphasized that cross-border startup partnerships are essential to enhancing regional competitiveness and driving youth-led economic growth.
Highlighting NICCI’s growing role in the innovation space, vice president of NICCI Kunal Kayal, noted that the next phase of Nepal-India economic relations must be driven by the private sector and powered by innovation. “To institutionalize this momentum, our committee is spearheading the establishment of a Startup Innovation Centre, which will serve as an epicenter connecting all ecosystem stakeholders,” he added. Delivering the guest remarks, Er. Umesh Kumar Gupta, Executive Director of the Industrial Enterprise Development Institute (IEDI) Nepal, stressed the importance of institutional support, policy alignment, and capacity-building initiatives in nurturing startups into globally competitive enterprises.
A key highlight of the Samvad was the Cohort Reflections Session, where founders shared their experiences from the IIT Madras residency. Participants spoke about access to high-end laboratories, investor engagement opportunities, product refinement support, and exposure to global best practices. Many described the experience as a turning point that helped them move from early- stage development to market-ready innovation.
The program concluded with a media interaction session, allowing journalists and stakeholders to engage directly with founders and ecosystem leaders, reinforcing a culture of transparency and collaborative dialogue in ecosystem development.
Applauding the cohort, vice president of NICCI Gaurav Tayal, described the participating entrepreneurs as “the living bridges of this partnership,” underscoring their role in strengthening innovation ties between Nepal and India.
NICCI reiterated that the Nepal-India Startup Samvad forms part of a broader effort to build a sustainable Industry-Academia-Government collaboration framework that supports startups through policy advocacy, cross-border partnerships, and improved access to capital and technology.
By linking Nepali entrepreneurs with Indian innovation platforms, the initiative aims to accelerate knowledge transfer, promote regional market integration, and position Nepal as an emerging hub for technology-driven enterprise.
प्रकाशित: २२ माघ २०८२, बिहीबार
