Interaction Program on ‘Women in Startups’ to Spotlight Opportunities and Challenges in Nepal’s Startup Ecosystem
Kathmandu – In a bid to strengthen female participation in Nepal’s growing startup ecosystem, NITI RESEARCH, in collaboration with the Industrial Enterprise Development Institute (IEDI) and ICT FRAME, is set to organize a landmark interaction program titled “Women in Startups: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Way Forward.” The event will be held on January 5, 2026 (Poush 21, 2082) at the Airport Hotel, Kathmandu.
The half-day program aims to address long-standing structural, financial, and social barriers faced by women entrepreneurs, while creating a platform for dialogue among policymakers, investors, industry experts, and aspiring startup founders. The initiative is supported by the Tech Bloggers Association of Nepal and ICT FRAME Magazine Pvt. Ltd.
Organizers say the program comes at a critical moment, as female leadership is increasingly recognized as a key driver of innovation, economic diversification, and sustainable growth. Speaking on the occasion, Chiranjibi Adhikari, CEO of One Cover Private Limited, stated that the initiative would mark a milestone in nurturing a healthy startup culture and strengthening Nepal’s overall business environment.
The program will focus on identifying key challenges faced by women-led startups, including access to finance, societal expectations, and institutional constraints. It will also emphasize mentorship and inspiration through a special documentary screening highlighting success stories of prominent female leaders, aimed at motivating students and emerging entrepreneurs.
Another major component of the event is strategic networking, designed to facilitate direct engagement between women entrepreneurs and investors, regulators, and policymakers. Core discussion themes include access to investment, managing work-life balance within traditional social frameworks, leveraging technology and innovation, and developing sustainable mentorship mechanisms.
The interaction will be chaired by Honorable Anil Kumar Sinha, Minister of Industry, who will attend as the Chief Guest. Umesh Kumar Gupta (Rauniyar), Executive Director of IEDI, will lead the technical question-and-answer sessions. Representatives from the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs’ Associations of Nepal (FWEAN) and the Women Chamber are also expected to share institutional perspectives and policy insights.
According to the organizers, the program is targeted at entrepreneurs, students, investors, policymakers, and stakeholders interested in fostering an inclusive and resilient startup ecosystem. By encouraging collaboration and open dialogue, the initiative seeks to pave a clearer path for women-led innovation and entrepreneurship in Nepal.
The event will begin at 8:30 am at the Airport Hotel, Sinamangal, Kathmandu. Organizers expressed confidence that the interaction will contribute to long-term policy thinking and practical solutions to support female entrepreneurs, positioning women as central actors in Nepal’s startup-driven economic transformation.
