2nd India-Nepal Startup Connect: Curtain Raiser for Startup Mahakumbh (SMK) 2025

Embassy of India, Kathmandu organized the 2nd India-Nepal Startup Connect: Curtain Raiser for Startup Mahakumbh (SMK) 2025 on 7 February 2025. H.E. Mr. Prithvi Subba Gurung, Honourable Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Government of Nepal was the Chief Guest at the event.

2. The event started with a Roundtable that included representatives from DPIIT, Government of India, Startup India, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Confederation of Nepalese Industries Young Entrepreneurs Forum (CNIYEF), Nepal Association for Software and IT Services Companies (NAS-IT), Fintech Alliance of Nepal (FAN), Robotics Association of Nepal (RAN), Nepal Hub (NHub), Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs, Tribhuvan University, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST),  Kathmandu University and Nepali startups. 

3. In his special address, H.E. Mr. Prithvi Subba Gurung, Hon’ble Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Government of Nepal spoke about the advances Nepal was making in embracing latest IT technologies that created opportunities for startups.He highlighted the unique and strong ties between India and Nepal and the ease of working for Nepali and Indian nationals in each other other's country. He encouraged Nepali companies to participate in SMK 2025.

4. Addressing the inaugural session, Shri Naveen Srivastava, Ambassador of India to Nepal, highlighted how startup culture has become mainstream among India’s youth. He underscored  India’s widespread embrace of digital technologies. The growth of Digital Public Infrastructure had catalysed this digital shift. This presented opportunities for cross border startup collaboration that leveraged digital connectivity. A recent example was the interoperability between Nepal’s FonePay and India’s UPI which saw more than 4 lakh merchant transactions being done last year since its launch in March 2024.

5. Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Government of India  presented about SMK 2025. He showcased how the event had grown into a flagship event for the startup space and invited Nepali startups to participate. SMK will feature over 3,000 exhibitors, 10,000 startups, and 1,000 investors, incubators, and accelerators, with an anticipated 50,000+ business visitors from across India and beyond. Cutting-edge innovations in sectors like D2C, Fintech, AI, Deeptech, Cybersecurity, Defense & Space tech, Agritech, Climate tech/ Sustainability, B2B & Precision Manufacturing, Gaming, E-Sports & Sports tech, Biotech & Healthcare and Incubators & Accelerators, would be showcased through focused thematic pavilions. 

6. Mr. Umesh Kumar Gupta, Executive Director, Industrial Enterprise Development Institute (IEDI), delivered a presentation on “Startup Policy in Nepal”. Mr. Rajendra Mootha, Head (New Initiatives), IIT Madras Pravartak, gave an overview of how IIT Madras Pravartak is helping in promoting incubation, develop technology and build partnerships with industry to foster incubation.

7.  The first panel discussion focused on the opportunities in India and Nepal for emerging technology startups. Mr. Prashant Mishra, CEO, TechXR spoke about how virtual reality helped them curate new tourism experiences. Mr. Asgar Ali, Co-founder, F1 Soft, shared about Nagarik app for delivering citizen services in Nepal. Mr. Amit Agrawal, Founder, Khalti Wallet, demonstrated how digital payments in Nepal have grown. Mr. Rajendra Mootha, Head (New Initiatives), IIT Madras Pravartak shared success stories of cutting-edge technology startups that were incubated at IIT Madras.

8. The second panel discussion focused on Digital Public Infrastructure for Social Impact, in which Mr. Sixit Bhatta, CEO, Vriddhi Sanjal Pvt Ltd, shared his efforts to build DPI for Nepal. Mr Neelesh Man Pradhan, CEO, Nepal Clearing House Limited elaborated on their products like Nepal Pay which were digital rails for Fintech companies in Nepal to innovate on. Dr. Bal Krishna Bal, Professor of Computer Science and Associate Dean, Kathmandu University shared about Kathmandu University’s efforts to encourage their students to build digital public goods. Mr. Himanshu Tiwari, AVP, SchoolNet shared experience of education DPI such as Diksha in India. 

9. These discussions closed with a special address by  Mr Gobinda Bahadur Karkee, Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies. 

10. The key takeaways from the discussions held during the event are the following:
•    India and Nepal are ideal markets for startups from both countries looking to expand internationally.
•    Startups in India and Nepal are leveraging emerging technologies to solve new problems and societal challenges at scale.
•    The development of DPI presents the ideal opportunity for new startups to innovate on. This model has been very successful on India. Nepal also has its DPI and this can be the launchpad for next generation of startups in Nepal.
•    Cross border connectivity between DPI platforms could help reap further dividend from them.
•    Nepali startups could tap into the funding and mentorship network available in India especially through incubators like IIT Madras Pravartak.
•    The participants appreciated existing connections such as the MoUs between IIT Madras Pravartak and Tribhuvan University as also Kathmandu University for cooperation in setting up startup incubation centres.
•    Participants called for greater collaboration between India and Nepal in the startup sector.
•    Nepali startups present at the event welcomed the opportunity to join SMK 2025. 

11. Embassy will continue to encourage activities to promote India-Nepal Startup Connect. Today’s event follows the 1st India Nepal Startup Connect organized on 24 January 2023. We encourage all stakeholders in Nepal, including academic institutions, startups and investors to reach out to Indian startups and incubators by participating in the Startup Mahakumbh 2025. Any queries in this regard may be addressed to the Commerce Wing of the Embassy at com[dot]kathmandu[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in

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