KATHMANDU, MARCH 21
Clock-b Business Innovations, in association with Embassy of India in Kathmandu, is set to organise the third edition of 'Connect-IN (India-Nepal) International Entrepreneurship Conclave' here on March 23.
Organising a press meet today, Director of Clock-b Business Innovations Dilli Raj Joshi informed that the main objective of conclave is to emphasise on supporting the young entrepreneurial community of Nepal and India and creating an idea exchange platform for entrepreneurs and start-ups of both nations.
"The conclave aims to build an ideal link between the dynamic start-up ecosystems of Nepal and India," said Joshi.
According to Binay Devkota, CEO of Clock-b Business Innovations, the conclave is being rolled out through three phases - pre-incubation, incubation, and finale day.
"To enhance the start-up ecosystems of Nepal and India, we commenced the pre-incubation phase in December last year that dealt with a nationwide ideation tour, calls for application and selection of start-ups especially focused on Dang, Sarlahi, Dharan, Sunsari," said Devkota.
"Following this, second step was an incubation programme where 20 start-ups were selected out of the 80 applicants. Over a nineday period, these selected start-ups were mentored and trained by renowned personalities of the entrepreneurial ecosystem," he added.
According to Devkota, out of the selected 20, only top four start-ups have advanced to the final day after being selected from Idea Audition.
"Boa Fresh, Tekka, Saarang, and Veda start-ups will be pitching their business idea on the finale day."
The conclave comprises keynote addresses by start-up aspirants from Nepal and India, panel discussions, experience-sharing from renowned entrepreneurs of both nations, start-up story-telling, and an investment pitch to a panel of prospective investors by the shortlisted entrepreneurs.
In the two years of the Connect [IN] series, it has gathered over 1,100 Nepali and Indian start-ups, entrepreneurs, investors, venture capitalists, aspiring youths, experts, high ranking Nepali and Indian government officials and representatives from media, together in one arena to discuss collaboration and share experiences. The programme has also welcomed 25- plus prominent speakers, incubated 45-plus start-ups/ideas, and collaborated with over 20 partners.
A version of this article appears in the print on March 22, 2022, of The Himalayan Times
