Paudel's Tech-driven Leadership In Finance

 In 2012, Khilendra Paudel served as branch supervision manager at IME (M) Sdn. Bhd. in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and identified the significant potential of technology to revolutionise business operations, particularly within the financial sector. The IME (then known as International Money Express) was the first remittance company of Nepal and began to revolutionise the industry by formalising the inflow of remittance, which has become the backbone of the economy for the last couple of decades. Although he had a brief stint in a managerial position at the IME before his departure to Malaysia, the industry was yet to adopt the latest innovations in business. 

Paudel was elevated to Manager of IME Limited in Nepal by the end of 2013 and promoted to Senior Manager, then General Manager in 2019. When he was appointed the CEO of the country's first and largest remittance company in 2022, he had already travelled to many countries to expand the business and observe the application of technology and strategy in the remittance sector. 

During his trips, observations, and interactions with peers and experts abroad, he noticed that they had been diverting their focus, investment, and strategies to technology and reshaping business. "They were investing in technology-driven evolution of their businesses, which had not only reduced the cost of business and enhanced the efficiency but also helped make the services customer-centric," he said. 

It's not that the IME was lagging in technology adoption, but there was much to be done. Sooner or later, the company had to compete with domestic remittance companies and international giants – the sector would be one of the significant financial service businesses in the coming years. 

With the realisation of the same, Paudel began to work with his team at the IME to make the remittance seamless and real-time so that the money could be instantly received at any other location after sending from one location. He now thinks his gradual yet significant elevation to a higher job portfolio might be backed by his interest, knowledge, expertise, and vision to bring in and implement the financial and technological solutions. 

At the IME, he worked on solutions like digitalised services to transition the traditional remittance operations to digital, mobile, and web platforms, which enabled faster, safer, and transparent money transfer. Likewise, an integrated real-time tracking system was also introduced, which, according to Paudel, was launched to ensure transparency and trust between the senders and receivers. "We also developed strategic global partnerships and integrated IME's systems with global remittance and fintech platforms for seamless international transactions. There was a digital expansion of the agent network to support agents across the country," he said. 

Meanwhile, the company implemented the digital KYC (Know Your Customer), real-time AML (Anti-Money Laundering) checks, and an automated settlement system, which significantly improved the company's operational efficiency. The fintech policy dialogues organised by the Nepal Rastra Bank and other policy bodies also updated Paudel about the customers' needs and the business's requirements that needed to be addressed immediately to stay ahead in business. As a result, the IME launched products tailored for migrant workers and their families, combining remittance, savings, and bill payment features. 

"If you have a good team and strategy and effective guidance by the company founders – Chandra Prasad Dhakal and Hem Raj Dhakal – there are fewer chances of failure," shared Paudel.

After serving IME for more than 11 years, he accepted a challenge to prove his mettle in the insurance sector and joined IME Life Insurance Limited as Deputy CEO a year ago. This sector has faced multiple challenges, from insurance literacy to technology adoption. While joining the company, he expressed his commitment to building further strategic business partnerships and technological advancement in the insurance sector.

What follows the insurance business with him is the passion for technology and consumer care and a vision for the digital transformation of this sector. "No business or activity related to public affairs could be sustained for long if it's not technology-driven. Consumers want timely service at their location digitally. All insurance services, ranging from buying a product and paying premiums to obtaining maturity benefits, should go digital and faceless as far as they can go," says Paudel, adding that most of the insurance industries in India and China have become faceless. 

He wants to collaborate and coordinate with the industry, regulator, and other stakeholders, so he has discussed technological upliftment in the Nepali insurance industry with the Nepali Insurance Authority. The technological development in the past five to 10 years has built the foundation for further advancement. However, he feels a need to launch an education campaign at the government level. 

According to Paudel, Nepal's future hinges on how fast and effectively the industry embraces digital transformation—especially those like insurance that touch every household. The global trend is heading toward AI-driven, mobile-first, and experience-centric solutions. The Nepali insurance industry is in that direction but must act with speed, innovation, and integrity. "Having led digital change in remittance and insurance, we have only scratched the surface. Through collaboration across sectors, we can create a Nepal that is not just digitally connected but digitally empowered," he said.

With strengths in combining strategic corporate moves, operational discipline, and technology enablement and a keen understanding of digital ecosystems, he always focused on designing products and processes that create real impact—be it helping migrant workers send money home easily or enabling insurance customers to manage their policies without paper or in-person visits.

Paudel's passion lies in leveraging technology to simplify complex financial services and make them accessible to the masses. He has consistently voiced the need for digitalisation in insurance to ensure transparency, reduce fraud, and improve claim settlement procedures. His interests also extend to financial literacy and youth empowerment, so he often participates in events that aim to bridge the knowledge gap between financial institutions and the public.

Born in Baglung and educated in management atTribhuvan University, Paudel was professionally trained at Harvard Kennedy School in policy design and financial service, as well as at the Indian Institute of Management and the Institute of Bankers Malaysia. He was presented with the South Asia BFSI Tech 24 award and the Ingenious CEO of 2024 for his contributions to the technological development in finance.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 8 August 2025.  

Industrialists call for streamlined customs procedures

Kathmandu, Jan. 23

Industrialists and businessmen have suggested the government make customs clearance procedures more convenient and hassle-free.

They have an impression that the Nepali customs administration has given high priority to revenue collection in some cases and said that the government could collect revenue through illegal trade control and customs facilitation.

Speaking at the 73^rd International Customs Day and Customs Clearance and Trade Facilitation Interaction Programme organised at the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) on the eve of Customs Day, industrialists and businesspeople said that if customs rates were reviewed by clarifying finished goods, raw materials and intermediate goods, the production sector could witness a boost and its contribution to the economy could be increased.

Speaking on the occasion, Finance Secretary Dr. Ram Prasad Ghimire said that the government has been making policy reforms to facilitate private-sector investment. He said that the main objective of customs was not revenue collection but trade facilitation and export promotion. “Exports play a major role in the country’s economic development. We are working on how to facilitate our industrialists and businessmen. The government has also been making policy reforms. The recent policy reforms have also made for the same purpose," he said.

Similarly, Dr. Ghimire mentioned that since a large part of Nepal’s foreign trade is with India, problems are also arising in trade with India, and he opined that the Nepal-India 'Customs Mutual Agreement' to be concluded in the near future would solve those problems. He also emphasised the need to encourage the new generation in business in the context of the current world moving from traditional trade to modernity.

President of the FNCCI, Chandra Prasad Dhakal, said that since all customs activities have a direct impact on industry and trade, it is necessary to be directed towards creating a healthy business environment. “For a country with an import-based economy like Nepal, customs not only collect revenue, it also helps in organising the entire country’s supply chain and promoting investment equally,” he said.

He said that since physical infrastructure, along with technology, also has an important contribution to trade facilitation, timely attention should be paid to completing the construction of Integrated Check Posts under construction and expanding additional infrastructure in other large and important customs offices.

Hari Sharan Pudasaini, Director General of the Department of Customs, stated that the national policy has been to promote industry and business and said that the customs administration was working to keep the morale of businessmen high.

He said that the customs administration was moving forward to implement the policies formulated by the International Customs Organisation, facilitate customs and make the best use of technology. Pudasaini also said that everyone should be honest in favour of economic discipline.

International Customs Day is celebrated every year on January 26.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 24 January 2025. 

Glocal distributes Skill Hero Awards

 Kathmandu, Jan. 14

Glocal After School has awarded singer Sushant KC, entrepreneurs Ayushi KC and Samir Thapa, and innovator Sanu Kaji Shrestha with Skill Hero Awards.

It felictated the four veterans from different sectors at a programme organised to mark the conclusion Sill Week 2025, organised from 6-13 January, in Kathmandu on Monday evening.

Sushant KC who received the award from art and culture sector is is a Nepali singer and songwriter known for his soulful music and meaningful lyrics was awarded, according to the organiser. His songs often reflect personal experiences, love, heartbreak, and emotional connections. His ability to tell stories through music has endeared him to fans worldwide.

Likewise, Aayushi KC received the award for her contribution in social entrepreneurship. She is founder and CEO of Khaalisisi Management Pvt. Ltd. that connects waste sellers with a network of over 13,000 waste entrepreneurs, known as 'Khaalisisi Friends', facilitating efficient recycling and waste management in Nepal.

Samir Thapa, Founder and principal of Silver Mountain School of Hotel Management (SMSH) was awarded for his contributions in tourism and hospitality sector. He is regarded as a pioneer in bringing world-class hospitality services and education to Nepal. His entrepreneurial journey is marked by several firsts, including launching Nepal's first private hotel management school and introducing the country’s first international fast-food franchise, Wimpy.

Similarly, Sanu Kaji Shrestha was awarded for his achievements in science and technology sector. From a young age, he demonstrated a creative spirit, crafting practical inventions such as a flexible fan from bamboo strips to combat hot weather, said the organiser in a statement.  

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 15 January 2025. 

FNCCI to organise Women Entrepreneurs Conference

 Kathmandu, Feb. 6

The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) is set to organise the National Women Entrepreneurs Conference in Bhairahawa of Lumbini Province on February 16 and 17.

About 250 to 300 women entrepreneurs from all 77 districts of Nepal are expected to participate in the conference.

The conference is going to be organised under the leadership of Women Entrepreneurs Development Committee of the FNCCI in coordination and cooperation with FNCCI, Lumbini and Siddhartha Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The FNCCI informed in a statement on Tuesday that it was organising such conference for the first time.

"Women in Nepal have long been actively participating in the country's economy, but the contribution of women entrepreneurs is often underestimated. If the participation of women in the labour force increases by only 1 per cent, the Gross Domestic Product of Nepal can be increased by 0.3 per cent," read the statement.

Empowering women entrepreneurs will create jobs, improve access to finance and increase innovation, said the FNCCI.

According to the organiser, the conference is going to be organised to support the development, expansion and promotion of women entrepreneurs as well as women empowerment and entrepreneurship.

The conference will discuss financial and market access, possibilities and challenges of tourism, initiatives and arrangements made for young women and startups. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 7 February 2024.      

स्टार्टअप उद्यमीका सकस

 काठमाडौँ, ललितपुर र भक्तपुरका ऐतिहासिक भित्री सहर ज्यादै घना र भिडभाडपूर्ण छन् । पछिल्लो समय विस्तार भएका क्षेत्रमा त घर भेट्न मुस्किल छ भने असन वा पाटनका प्राचीन गल्लीमा बनेका घर भेट्न कति दुष्कर होला ? अनलाइनबाट खरिद गरिएका सामान डेलिभरी गर्नेहरूको सास्ती त झन् कति कति । 
सन् २०२० को जुनदेखि राजविक्रम महर्जनको टोलीले काठमाडौँ उपत्यकाका नगरपालिकाहरूलाई घरको नम्बरिङका लागि ड्रोन म्यापिङमा सघाइरहेको थियो । नगरपालिकाहरूले स्थानीय योजना तथा अन्य प्रयोजनका लागि सो म्यापिङ प्रयोग गर्न चाहन्थे । उहाँहरूले घरबाटै काम गरिरहनुभएको थियो, बन्दाबन्दीका कारण बाहिर जान पनि समस्या थियो । त्यस बेला राजलाई कोभिड महामारीमा शरीरमा अक्सिजनको मात्रा नाप्ने अक्सिमिटर किन्नुपर्ने भयो । उहाँले कुनै एक अनलाइन पसलबाट अक्सिमिटर मगाउनुभयो । डेलिभरी ब्वाईले घर पत्ता लगाउनै सकेन । उहाँले चीनमा पढ्दा अधिकांश सामान अनलाइनबाट किन्नुहुन्थ्यो र डेलिभरी दिनेले ढोकामै ल्याइपु¥याउँथ्यो । भारतमा तालिम लिँदा पनि त्यस्तै सजिलो भएको थियो तर यहाँ त विक्रेताले उहाँको घर नै भेटेन । डेलिभरी ब्वाई घना बस्तीका गल्लीहरूमै अलमलमा प¥यो, उसलाई घरसम्म ल्याउन पाँच/सात पटक फोन गर्नुप-यो । 
उता आफू हाई रिज्योल्युसनको ड्रोन म्याप बनाउँदै हिँडिरहेको छ, यता आफ्नै घर भेट्न मुस्किल छ । यो त छेकछन्दै नमिलेको जस्तो कुरो भयो । राजलाई छटपटी भयो । त्यस बेला काठमाडौँ उपत्यकाका नगरपालिकाहरूले धमाधम घरको नम्बरिङ गरिरहेका थिए तर त्यसरी राखिएको घर नम्बर अनलाइन वा गुगल म्यापमा खोज्दा भेटिँदैनथ्यो । अबको जमानामा अनलाइनमा खोज्न नसकिने घर नम्बरको के अर्थ ? 
त्यसैबिच कीर्तिपुर नगरपालिकाले उहाँहरूलाई घर नम्बरबाट ठेगाना खोज्न सकिने एप बनाउन अनुरोध ग¥यो तर उहाँहरूले सुझाव दिनुभयो– “बरु हामी एप निःशुल्क बनाइदिउँला तर बनाइसकेपछि कीर्तिपुर नगरपालिका मात्र होइन, नेपालका सबै महानगर र नगरपालिकाहरूको घर नम्बर राख्नुस् ।” 
यदि प्रत्येक स्थानीय निकायले आफ्नो मात्र एप बनायो भने त काठमाडौँ जाँदा एउटा एप, कीर्तिपुर जाँदा अर्को एप, ललितपुर जाँदा फेरि अर्को एप चाहिने भयो । आखिर सेवाग्राहीले कति वटा एप चलाउन सक्छन् ? अनि त्यो कत्तिको व्यावहारिक हुन्छ ? अब ७५३ स्थानीय निकायका लागि त्यत्ति नै एप बनाउनुपर्ने हुन्छ र त्यो भनेको समय, साधन र स्रोतको दुरुपयोग मात्र हो । त्यही चासोको फलस्वरूप सबै गाउँबस्तीहरूलाई एउटै मञ्चमा जोड्ने गरी ‘गल्ली म्याप’को अवधारणा विकास हुन गयो । 
गल्ली म्यापको नामकरण
गल्ली म्यापको सिर्जना र विकासका पछाडि तीनजना युवाको सपना र योगदान छ । उहाँहरू हुनुहुन्छ– जनम महर्जन, असुन शाक्य र राजविक्रम महर्जन । उहाँहरू सँगै कलेज पढ्दै हुर्कनुभएको हो । जनम र असुन प्रोग्रामर हुनुहुन्छ भने राज एरोनटिकल इन्जिनियर । “लकडाउनमा हामी के गर्न सक्छौँ भनेर छलफल गरिरहेका थियौँ । त्यस बेला दक्षिण कोरियामा मास्टर्स डिग्री पढ्न गएका जनम लकडाउनका कारण उतै अड्किएका थिए । हामीले त्यस बेलासम्म उपलब्ध डेटा राखेर गल्ली म्यापको प्रोटोटाइप विकास ग¥यौँ । नाम के राख्ने भन्ने टुङ्गो लागेको थिएन तर एपमा यो राख्ने र त्यो राख्ने अनि यो छुटाउन नहुने भन्दै गर्दा त्यो ठुलो बन्दै गयो,” राजले भन्नुभयो । 
नाम सजिलो र आकर्षक हुनुपर्छ भन्ने उहाँहरूको मान्यता थियो । संसारभर गुगल म्यापको प्रयोग हुन्छ तर उहाँहरू त त्यसमा नभएको विशेषता लिएर बजारमा जाँदै हुनुहुन्थ्यो । नाम त्यसै अनुसार जुराउनुपर्ने थियो र त्यसमा नेपालीपन पनि झल्कियोस् भन्ने उहाँहरूको चाहना थियो । उहाँहरूले घर नम्बर राखौँ भन्नेबारे छलफल गर्नुभयो तर अन्तिममा खास देखाउन चाहेको त गल्ली थियो । त्यसैले एपको नाम ‘गल्ली म्याप’ राखियो । 
१५ हजारमा सुरु
तीन वर्षअघि जम्माजम्मी १५ हजार रुपियाँको लगानी (राज, असुन र जनमको सिप परिश्रमबाहेक) मा गल्ली म्याप सुरु भएको हो । त्यो १५ हजार रुपियाँ पनि सर्भरका लागि डोमेन किन्न खर्च भएको थियो तर त्यसपछि विभिन्न विशेषताहरू थप्दै एपलाई परिस्कृत बनाउँदै जाँदा खर्च पनि बढ्दै गयो । अहिले गल्ली म्यापमा १२ जना दक्ष जनशक्ति जोडिएका छन्, जसमा धेरैजसो प्रोग्रामरहरू छन् । व्यापार, प्रशासन र मानव स्रोतलगायतका क्षेत्र राज आफैँले हेर्दै आउनुभएको छ । 
राजको टोलीले आफ्नै धुनमा काम गरिरहेको थियो । एक पटक स्टार्टअप तालिमका लागि भारत जाने अवसर मिल्यो, त्यहाँ बुझेका र देखेका कुराले बल्ल राजको आँखा खुल्यो । ज्यादै परिष्कृत रूपमा व्यावसायिक योजना बनाउने, लक्षित ग्राहक वा भौगोलिक क्षेत्रको विश्लेषण गर्ने, लगानी जुटाउने विकल्प बनाउने र त्यसको कार्यान्वयन गर्ने ‘भ्यालु चेन’का अन्य संस्था वा कम्पनीसँग सहकार्य र समन्वय गर्ने जस्ता अनेकौँ विषयमा ध्यान दिइएको त्यहाँ उहाँले देख्नुभयो । उहाँले आफ्नो व्यवसायका लागि यस्ता विषयका बारेमा सोच्नुभएकै थिएन । त्यसले कम्पनीको विकास र विस्तारका लागि ज्यादै ठुलो ज्ञान प्रदान गरेको उहाँ ठान्नुहुन्छ । 
गल्ली म्याप अझै पनि परीक्षणकालमै भएकाले त्यसबाट आम्दानी हुन सकेको छैन । “अहिले हामी बिटुसी (व्यवसायदेखि उपभोक्तासम्म) र बिटुबी (व्यवसायदेखि व्यवसायसम्म) मा काम गरिरहेका छौँ । सामान्य प्रयोगका लागि उपभोक्ताले कुनै शुल्क तिर्नु पर्दैन, गुगल म्याप चलाए जस्तै गरी निःशुल्क चलाउन सकिन्छ,” राज भन्नुहुन्छ । 
तर व्यावसायिक रूपमा एप चलाउँदा भने शुल्क तिर्नुपर्छ । हाल गल्ली म्यापका प्रयोगकर्ताहरूमा गो ट्याक्सी, वल्र्डलिङ्क र हुलाक सेवा जस्ता व्यवसाय र संस्थाहरू छन् । यीलगायत कुल १५ कम्पनीले गल्ली म्यापको परीक्षण प्रयोग गरिरहेका छन् । भविष्यमा यिनीहरूलाई लगाउने शुल्क भनेको प्रयोगका आधारमा हुनेछ । यिनीहरूको एप जति धेरै चल्यो वा डेलिभरी जति धेरै भयो, गल्ली म्यापको प्रयोग पनि त्यति नै बढी हुनेछ र शुल्क पनि बढ्दै जानेछ । 
त्यो भनेको ‘पे एज यु गो’ मोडल हो । यसलाई सजिलो गरी बुझ्नका लागि टेलिफोन वा बिजुलीको बिलको उदाहरण लिन सकिन्छ । बिजुली वा टेलिफोन जति बढी प्रयोग ग¥यो, ग्राहकले तिर्ने शुल्क पनि सोही अनुपातमा बढ्दै जान्छ । 
स्थानीय नक्साबाट आम्दानी
गल्ली म्यापको प्रारम्भिक व्यावसायिक गतिविधिको अनुमान अनुसार नेपालमा राम्रैसँग चलेको नक्सा प्रयोगकर्ता एपले वार्षिक पाँचदेखि छ लाख रुपियाँसम्म तिर्ने सम्भावना छ । त्यो भनेको यस्ता संस्थाहरूले अहिले गुगललाई तिर्नु पर्ने वार्षिक दायित्व वा शुल्कको आधा वा एकतिहाइ मात्र हो । त्यसैले गल्ली म्यापका प्रयोगकर्ताले विदेशी मुद्रा स्वदेशमै रोक्न र स्थानीय कम्पनीलाई प्रवर्धन गर्न सहयोग मात्र गर्ने छैनन्, आफैँले पनि उल्लेख्य व्यावसायिक लाभ प्राप्त गर्नेछन् ।  अहिले नै नेपालबाट गुगलले वार्षिक दसौँ लाख अमेरिकी डलर म्यापको सेवा बिक्रीबाट लैजान्छ । त्यो रकम यहीँ रोकिन सक्छ । गल्ली म्यापले दिने सटिक ठेगानाले व्यवसायमा बढाउने कुशलता तथा समय र खर्चको बचतबाट हुने लाभको हिसाब त बेग्लै छ । राजको टोली ‘ओपन सोर्स म्यापिङ’ मा हुने त्रुटि र कमजोरी सच्याउँदै अघि बढिरहेको छ । 
गल्ली एक्सप्रेस
काम थालेको तीन वर्षपछि बल्ल गल्ली एक्सप्रेस प्रालिको नाममा एक महिनाअघि मात्र उहाँहरूले कम्पनी दर्ता गर्नुभएको हो । त्यस क्रममा उहाँहरूले के थाहा पाउनुभयो भने नेपालमा सबै प्रकारका कम्पनीको दर्ता प्रक्रियामा खासै भिन्नता रहेनछ । स्टार्टअपहरूलाई विशेष प्रक्रिया वा सुविधामार्फत सहजीकरण गर्ने छुट वा अन्य व्यवस्था गर्ने प्रचलन पनि रहेनछ । त्यसै गरी सेयर होल्डिङ र पुँजीगत लाभकरका बारेमा राजलाई चित्त नबुझेका धेरै कुरा छन् । ससानो रकममा पनि पुँजीगत लाभकर लगाएको उहाँलाई मन परेको छैन । 
“कम्पनीमा लगानी जुटाउनका लागि भनेर १० लाख रुपियाँको सेयर बेच्दा हातमा मात्र साढे छ लाख रुपियाँ पर्ने रहेछ, म त छक्कै परेँ,” उहाँले भन्नुभयो, “यस्तो व्यवस्थाले त सानो लगानीमा स्थापना हुने प्रयास गरिरहेका स्टार्टअपलाई सहजीकरण गर्दैन ।” यसरी कम्पनी स्थापित गर्ने प्रयासमै अवरोध भएको उहाँको बुझाइ छ । “त्यो सेयर कर बुझाउन नभई कम्पनीका लागि लगानी जुटाउन बेचेको पो हो त,” उहाँ भन्नुहुन्छ, “तर कानुनको परिपालनाको विकल्प भने छैन ।”
उहाँले नबुझेको कुरा अर्को पनि छ । नेपालमा राइड सेयरिङ कम्पनीहरू दर्ता भएरै चलिरहेका छन् तर यातायात विभागमा गयो भने ‘ती गैरकानुनी हुन्’ भनिएको पाइन्छ । “यो विरोधाभास किन ?” उहाँ प्रश्न गर्नुहुन्छ । नीतिगत रूपमा दुःख दिएकै कारणले स्वदेशी राइड सेयरिङ कम्पनी टुटलले आफूलाई विकसित गर्न सकेन । एक त साधनस्रोतको सीमितता अनि अर्कोतर्फ सरकार र सम्बन्धित निकायको कोपभाजन । यस्तो अवस्थामा स्टार्टअपहरूका लागि अनगिन्ती चुनौती छन् । 
गल्ली म्यापले अहिलेसम्म सरकार वा मातहतका कुनै पनि निकायबाट आर्थिक वा भौतिक कुनै पनि प्रकारको सहयोग पाएको छैन । सरकारले घोषणा गरेका विभिन्न ऋण तथा अनुदान सहयोगका लागि उहाँहरूले प्रत्येक वर्ष आवेदन दिनुभएको त छ तर अहिलेसम्म कुनै त्यस्तो सहयोग पाउनुभएको छैन । सरकारले पठाएको गुगल फर्म उहाँहरूले भर्न छाड्नुभएको छैन तर नपर्ने हो कि नपाउने हो बुझ्न पनि सक्नुभएको छैन । 
हालै गल्ली म्यापले आफ्नै परिवार र साथीहरूबाट लगानी जुटाएको छ । त्यसले आगामी एक वर्षसम्म कम्पनीलाई सञ्चालन गर्न सकिने छ । त्यसैले त्यस बेलासम्ममा कम्पनी सञ्चालनका लागि आवश्यक स्रोत आफैँ सिर्जना गर्न सक्ने हुनुपर्ने चुनौती उहाँहरूलाई छ । कम्पनीलाई आम्दानीको एक तहमा पु¥याउने र विभिन्न भेन्चर क्यापिटल वा लगानीकर्ताबाट स्रोत जुटाउने उहाँहरूको लक्ष्य छ । 
लगानीकर्ताहरूले कुनै पनि सेवा वा वस्तु बजारका लागि उपयुक्त छ वा त्यो आवश्यक छ र चल्छ भन्ने कुराप्रति विश्वस्त भएर मात्र लगानी गर्छ । गल्ली म्यापको बजार सम्भावना निरन्तर बढ्दै जाने भएकाले आवश्यक लगानी र स्रोत जुटाउन त्यति गाह्रो नहुने आकलन राजको छ । अहिले एपको परीक्षण भइरहेको छ । यो व्यावसायिक रूपमा सञ्चालनमा आएपछि कम्तीमा पनि छ महिनाको आम्दानीको हिसाबकिताब देखाउन सकिने भएमा लगानीकर्ता जुटाउनका लागि प्रयत्न गर्न सजिलो हुने छ । 
अर्कातर्फ लगानीकर्ताले व्यवसाय सुरु गर्नका लागि होइन, त्यसको वृद्धिका लागि लगानी गर्छन् । ‘सिड मनी’ दिने भनेको सरकारले हो तर नेपालमा सरकारले यस्ता कार्यक्रम घोषणा गर्ने तर कार्यान्वयन नगर्ने प्रचलन बढी छ । त्यसबाट स्टार्टअपहरूले लाभ लिन सकिरहेका छैनन् । 
यद्यपि राज र उहाँजस्ता स्टार्टअप व्यवसायीहरूले काठमाडौँस्थित भारतीय र अमेरिकी दूतावासहरूबाट स्टार्टअप सञ्चालन, व्यवस्थापन, कानुनी परिपालना, बजार व्यवस्थापन, लगानी व्यवस्थापन आदि विषयमा अभिमुखीकरण तालिम लिन पाउनुभएको छ । भारत, सिङ्गापुरलगायत मुलुकमा पुगेर त्यहाँका स्टार्टअप र अन्य कम्पनीहरूको अभ्यास अवलोकन गर्न पाउनुभएको छ । 
विदेशमा स्टार्टअपहरूलाई दर्ता तथा पेटेन्टमा सरकारले सहयोग गर्ने गरेको छ, जुन यहाँ छैन । भारतमै हेर्ने हो भने त्यहाँ स्टार्टअपको वार्षिक आय तीन करोड भरतीय रुपियाँ नपुग्दासम्म कुनै पनि प्रकारको कर लाग्दैन । त्यसले त्यहाँका व्यवसायीलाई ज्यादै सहयोग पुगेको छ । त्यस्ता कम्पनीका लागि कानुनी, आर्थिक, प्रशासनिक, बजार र व्यावसायिक विकास र व्यवस्थापनका विषयमा स्टार्टअप इन्डिया नामक संस्थाले निरन्तर सहयोग गरिरहेको छ । 
राजले युएनडिपीको प्रतिस्पर्धा जितेर भियतनाम जाने अवसर पनि प्राप्त गर्नु भयो । भियतनामले प्रविधि, व्यवसाय र बजारका क्षेत्रमा गरेको अभूतपूर्व विकास देखेर उहाँ चकित पर्नुभयो रे । “त्यहाँ त अकल्पनीय विकास भएको रहेछ, त्यो देश त हामीभन्दा कैयौँ गुणा अगाडि छ, तुलनै गर्न नमिल्ने गरी,” उहाँले सुनाउनुभयो । 
नेपाल फर्केर कम्पनी दर्ता गर्न थाल्दा बल्ल वास्तविकताको महसुस भयो उहाँलाई । त्यसै गरी नबिल बैङ्कले उहाँ र उहाँजस्तै धेरैलाई व्यवसाय सञ्चालनका लागि एक विशिष्ट प्रकारको तालिम पनि दिएको थियो । त्यसले आफूमा व्यावसायिक आत्मबल विकास गरेको उहाँको बुझाइ छ तर नेपालमा ऋण लिएर व्यवसाय गर्न सजिलो छैन । धितोमा आधरित लगानी हुने र परियोजना सञ्चालनका लागि ‘ग्रेस’ अवधि नहुने भएकाले स्टार्टअपहरूलाई त्यसले सहजीकरण गर्दैन । व्यवसाय विकास गर्ने कि ऋण तिर्ने चिन्तामा भट्किरहने ? स्टार्टअपका लागि अहम् प्रश्न हो । यसैबिच विदेशी लगानीमा लागेको सीमाले पनि स्टार्टअपहरूलाई समस्यामा पारेको छ । ससानो लगानी विदेशबाट जुटाउन त्यसले रोकिरहेको छ । स्टार्टअपहरूलाई सहयोग पुग्ने गरी त्यो व्यवस्थामा केही संशोधन गर्नुपर्ने उहाँहरूको धारणा छ । 
सरकारले घोषणा गरेका च्यालेन्ज फन्डदेखि स्टार्टअप सपोर्ट कार्यक्रम लागु नै हुन सकेनन् । त्यस्तै गरी निजी क्षेत्रको ठुलो संस्था नेपाल उद्योग वाणिज्य महासङ्घले घोषणा गरेको स्टार्टअप कार्यक्रममा समेत पर्याप्त आवेदन परेनन् । 
निजी क्षेत्रका युवा व्यवसायीहरूका सङ्घसंस्थाबारे पनि धेरै स्टार्टअप व्यवसायीहरू जानकार छैनन् र जानकारी भएकाहरू पनि ती संस्थासँग जोडिन त्यति उत्साहित देखिँदैनन् । त्यहाँको प्रवेश शुल्क नै ४० हजारदेखि ५० हजार रुपियाँको हाराहारीमा छ । ठुला व्यवसायीहरूले स्टार्टअपहरूलाई गर्ने व्यवहारका कारण पनि यस्ता उद्यमीहरू त्यस्ता संस्थाप्रति आकर्षित नदेखिएका हुन् । 
आफ्नै प्रयासमा सुरु भएका स्टार्टअपहरूमा सुरु लगानी केही लाख रुपियाँको मात्र पनि रहेको हुन्छ । उनीहरूका लागि ५० हजार रुपियाँ भनेको ठुलै रकम हो । त्यस्तै निजी क्षेत्रका संस्थाहरूले सञ्चालन गर्ने विभिन्न स्टार्टअप परियोजनाहरूका बारेमा अधिकांश स्टार्टअप उद्यमीले थाहै पाउँदैनन् । त्यस्ता कार्यक्रमका बारेमा पनि उचित प्रचारप्रसार र प्रवर्धन हुनु आवश्यक छ ।  

Published in Gorkhapatra daily on 16 Asar 2080.