KATHMANDU, Feb 24: The U.S.–Nepal Startup Weekend Challenge concluded successfully on February 21, culminating a three-day accelerator-style program that brought together some of Nepal’s most promising early-stage entrepreneurs and innovators, the organizers stated in a press release.
The press release further stated that out of 283 applications from across Nepal, 25 teams were shortlisted to participate in the event, involving nearly 100 founders. Participants engaged in workshops on business fundamentals, attended training sessions led by expert facilitators, and received targeted one-on-one mentorship from both Nepali and U.S.-based experts to refine their startup ideas and pitches.
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At the final event, nine teams presented their startups before a distinguished panel of judges, including Mike Harker, Public Affairs Chief at the U.S. Embassy Nepal; Juna Mathema, co-founder of Blitz Media; Sachin Karanjit, Director of Nepal Operations at Deerhold; and Suman Joshi, Managing Director at One to Watch, the press release said.
Following evaluation, GarudX was declared the winner, receiving RS 350,000 in seed funding. Fully Charged Nepal Enterprise was named first runner-up with Rs 200,000, while Kanoon Portal secured second runner-up, earning Rs 100,000.
According to the organizer, at the opening ceremony, Scott Urbom, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy Nepal, highlighted the significance of such initiatives, stating that they “reflect the strength and reciprocity of the U.S.–Nepal partnership by connecting Nepali talent with American experience and globally tested approaches.”
The U.S.–Nepal Startup Weekend Challenge is a three-day accelerator program designed to foster early-stage startups and entrepreneurial innovation in Nepal. Supported by the U.S. Embassy Nepal, it is implemented by One to Watch in collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce Nepal (AmCham Nepal), Confederation of Nepalese Industries Young Entrepreneurs Forum (CNIYEF), Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal (FWEAN), Market Edge, Nepal Association of Software and IT Services Companies (NAS-IT), and Nepalese Young Entrepreneurs Forum (NYEF), the press release said.
