Startup Nation 2030: Third Edition

Organisers: ICIMOD and Startup Nation 2030 consortium

Agenda

About the conference

ICIMOD, in collaboration with the consortium partners of Startup Nation 2030, is organising a two-day conference aimed at advancing Nepal’s transformation into an upper-middle-income country by 2030. The Startup Nation 2030 initiative aspires to establish Nepal as a startup-friendly nation by 2030. This conference will centre on the essential 4P Framework – ‘Policies, Procedures, Practices and People’ – required to realise this vision. The event is supported by the Australian Aid-funded project, ‘Building capabilities for green, climate resilient and inclusive development in the lower Koshi river basin’ (HI-GRID) project, and ICIMOD’s Action Area on Transforming Livelihoods and Economies.

The conference programme features a diverse array of activities, including keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions. These will cover crucial topics such as funding mechanisms, mentorship opportunities, and emerging technological trends. Renowned speakers from Nepal and the broader Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region will share valuable insights. Attendees will have ample opportunities to connect with peers, potential collaborators, and investors.

Provincial Startup Pavilions will showcase local initiatives, while dedicated pitching sessions and expos aim to connect promising Nepali startups with international investors. Additionally, various ecosystem actors are set to announce new commitments and future programmes, fostering enhanced collaboration and partnerships within the startup ecosystem.

Objectives

The main objective of the conference is to build strategy, directions, and plans through collaboration and commitment to transform Nepal as a startup friendly nation by 2030 by reuniting startup ecosystem partners to reflect on the commitments, achievements, challenges, and lessons learnt over the past year. The specific objectives are:

1. Facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration among stakeholders to accelerate the growth of the startup ecosystem.
2. Showcase success stories and best practices in entrepreneurship and innovation.
3. Identify opportunities and challenges for startups in Nepal and explore solutions.
4. Foster connections and partnerships to support the growth of local startups.
5. Develop deeper understanding on the 4Ps – Policies, Procedures, Practices and People – needed for the realisation of Startup Nation 2030 vision.

Participants

There will be more than 500 participants including representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Netherlands and Pakistan.

Background

The Startup Nation 2030 Conference, chaired by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies (MoICS) and led by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), aims to make Nepal one of the most startup-friendly nation in South Asia by 2030. Supported by ICIMOD, Industrial Enterprise Development Institute (IEDI), the University Grant Commission (UGC), and PUM Netherlands, a volunteer organisation whose aim is to enable the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries and emerging markets, the conference will bring together entrepreneurs, mentors, experts, educational institutes, investors, government bodies, and other stakeholders.

The Government of Nepal’s Fifteenth Plan (2019/20) aims to position the country as an upper-middle-income nation by 2030, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This ambitious vision involves enhancing per capita national income through increased production, productivity, human asset quality, and economic resilience. Central to this transformation is the cultivation of an entrepreneurial work culture, as outlined in the Plan’s strategies for the private and cooperative sectors. These strategies focus on creating favourable regulatory frameworks at all government levels, promoting youth entrepreneurship, and developing support ecosystems that provide access to skills, talent, and capital. This vision is succinctly captured by the phrase, “entrepreneurial culture, enterprising people.”

The Nepalese startup ecosystem, though relatively young at just over two decades, has shown significant promise with startups that are innovatively transforming markets and redefining value creation. Thanks to a committed community of supporters, there is now more available capital and greater encouragement for youth to explore entrepreneurial opportunities. The continued support from the government, investors, and stakeholders positions Nepal as a potential hub for entrepreneurship in the region. The Startup Nation 2030 initiative, launched at the inaugural conference in 2022, embodies this vision by aiming to make Nepal one of the most startup-friendly nation in South Asia by 2030. This initiative seeks to foster an entrepreneurial mindset, promote innovative policies, and create an environment that supports the development of 10,000 startups and 100,000 quality jobs. The annual Startup Nation 2030 Conference, now preparing for its third edition, continues to be a pivotal event, bringing together key entrepreneurship ecosystem actors to advance this shared mission.