Kathmandu, January 18

The second International Entrepreneurship Conclave - Connect IN being organised by the Indian embassy in Nepal in association with Clock b Business Innovations will be held in Kathmandu on January 19.

The event has received immense interest from entrepreneurs, investors, incubators, consultants and start-up ecosystem players from both Nepal and India.Chief Adviser to Prime Minster KP Sharma Oli and Patron of GEFONT Bishnu Prasad Rimal has consented to be the chief guest, as per the organisers.

Five CEOs/investors from India and more than 15 from Nepal will be addressing the audience that will comprise young entrepreneurs from both countries. This includes Vikrant Gugnani, founder, Trans Asia Ventures & You First Ventures; Aditya Ghosh, CEO, OYO (India and South Asia); Varun Saraf, venture philanthropist; and Thryza Dow, manager, Blinc Ventures from India.

From Nepal, the speakers will include Ranjit Acharya, CEO, Prisma Advertising; Hemraj Dhakal, co-founder & MD, IME Group; Narottam Aryal, executive director, King’s College; Sushil Pokharel, CEO of Sushmit Group; Santoshi Rana, founder, Bihani Social Ventures; Kuber Chalise, editor, Karobar Daily; and Asgar Ali, IT consultant to PM Oli, among others.

Through extensive outreach events in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Birgunj, Chitwan and Biratnagar and four months of campaign, 10 college level activities, 30 days of mentorships and incubation, the Indian embassy in Nepal and Clock b managed to reach out to more than 500,000 entrepreneurial minds of Nepal.

In all, over 1,500 entrepreneurs have registered for the event out of which 600 will be screened for attending the conclave. Over 100 start-ups showed interest in pitching for investments, 52 were screened for auditions and six start-ups have been shortlisted for the finale.