Kathmandu, Feb. 4
Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (NICCI) hosted the Nepal-India
Startup Samvad in Kathmandu on Wednesday to mark it as an important
milestone in cross-border entrepreneurial collaboration.
The event featured the successful 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, India.
Under the programme, 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, informed the NICCI.
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.
Speaking at the event, President of NICCI Sunil KC, emphasised that cross-border startup
partnerships are essential to enhancing regional competitiveness and driving
youth-led economic growth.
Likewise, 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 institutionalise 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.
Er. Umesh
Kumar Gupta, Executive Director of the Industrial Enterprise Development
Institute (IEDI) Nepal, highlighted
the importance of institutional support, policy alignment, and
capacity-building initiatives in nurturing startups into globally competitive
enterprises.
Founders of the selected start-ups 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. They sought government and policy
support to make their entrepreneurial ventures successful in the long-run.
According to NICCI, 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.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 5 February 2026.
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