KATHMANDU, AUGUST 10
Twenty emerging Nepali entrepreneurs have been selected for the U.S. Embassy's Entrepreneurship Skill Building Program – Capstone Accelerator, a three-day residential advanced accelerator programme aimed at helping founders strengthen their businesses and prepare for growth.
The selected cohort emerged from an initial pool of around 200 entrepreneurs who participated in the programme's first stage across seven cities-Biratnagar, Janakpur, Hetauda, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi and Pokhara. The final selection was based on interviews assessing the founders' commitment, business ideas, growth potential, export orientation, investment readiness, existing traction and communication skills.
The 20-member cohort represents sectors including information technology, agribusiness, e-commerce, manufacturing, food and beverages, textiles, hospitality, cosmetics and digital services.
Among the selected ventures is Pathsutra EDU, founded by Hari Krishna Lamichhane of Gandaki Province, which uses artificial intelligence to analyse school data and generate insights on student attendance, performance, engagement and behaviour.
Other participants include Saino Marketplace, an e-commerce platform promoting Made in Nepal and Make in Nepal products; Kopila Valley Women Co-operative, which produces handcrafted textiles and bags; and Lumle Coffee, a specialty coffee enterprise in Kaski focused on cultivation, roasting, skills development and export.
The cohort also includes Himalayan Chiurika, which produces plant-based chiuri butter for the cosmetics industry; Bharosha Krishi, which develops chitosan-based agricultural inputs; Syaahaar, a skincare and personal care social enterprise; and Didi Bahini Fabric, which produces hemp- and allo-fibre textiles and accessories.
Technology ventures in the cohort include Lumino Technology, Nep Tech Pal and HomeSewa, while MM Digital Garage represents the digital marketing sector.
The food and hospitality sector is represented by Jalberry, Haadi Biryani, Deepali's Achar, Dami Treats and Aashutosh Bahuudeshya Udyog. Saraswati Dhaka Cloth Industry, Moonwake Skincare and Sharad Craft Creations are among the other selected enterprises.
According to the programme organisers, the Capstone Accelerator is designed to help the selected founders move beyond basic entrepreneurship training towards investment readiness, market expansion, export growth and scalable business models.
The programme's first stage brought together entrepreneurs from across Nepal, while the accelerator represents the next level of support for founders considered most prepared to benefit from advanced training and mentorship.
