KATHMANDU, June 2: In a move to strengthen the global startup ecosystem and empower early-stage tech ventures, diaspora leaders Preeti Adhikary and Sajan Gautam have officially launched Momo VC, a US-based venture capital firm focused on high-impact sectors including cybersecurity, AI, fintech, digital health, biotech, and sustainability.
Momo VC stands out for its “ecosystem builder approach,” offering more than capital. The firm aims to support founders with mentorship, community, and strategic guidance-drawing from the co-founders' extensive global networks and experience.
"Just like the comfort and belonging the word 'Momo' brings to Nepalis around the world, we want to offer founders a sense of trust, support, and inclusion as they build their ventures," said Preeti Adhikary, co-founder and general partner. Adhikary, who also founded The Great Nepali Diaspora (TGND), has played a key role in uniting the global Nepali professional community through over 150 networking events in the past three years. She previously served as VP at Fusemachines Inc., an AI solutions company.
Her co-founder Sajan Gautam, a veteran technologist and venture advisor, brings deep industry experience. Formerly the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Arvest Bank, Gautam has also worked at Citi and EY, and collaborated with global VC syndicates to evaluate investments and scale tech teams.
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Momo VC is the fourth pillar in a broader mission the duo has been building. The other three initiatives include:
The Great Nepali Diaspora, a global networking platform;
Nepal Venture Studio, an accelerator supporting startup training and growth;
Startup Resource Hub, which provides educational tools and templates for founders.
"Over the years, we've seen progress in startup access to resources and networks, but we believe it's time to rethink how we build and scale technology-enabled companies," Gautam said. "Momo VC complements our existing efforts by offering hands-on venture building support."
The fund has already made its first investment in Imera, an immigration tech platform, and plans to back up to 40 U.S-incorporated startups over the next three to five years. Plans are also underway to launch a local fund in Nepal.
Momo VC offers investors a curated pipeline of pre-vetted startups and domain-specific insights, while providing founders with access to capital, expertise, and a supportive global community.
