KATHMANDU, Sept 11: Dolma Impact Fund, Nepal’s pioneering international private equity firm, celebrated its 10th anniversary on Tuesday by launching the Dolma Climate Fund, a new initiative focused on investments in hydropower, solar energy, and the green transition.
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The anniversary event in the capital on Tuesday marked a decade of Dolma’s work supporting Nepal’s entrepreneurial ecosystem while driving socio-economic impact through innovative investment strategies. The event was inaugurated by Finland’s Ambassador to Nepal, Riina-Riikka Heikka, alongside Dolma CEO and Founder Tim Gocher.
In his opening remarks, Gocher reflected on Dolma’s journey from an initial £300,000 DFID grant to becoming a significant player in Nepal’s private equity sector. “It gives me immense pleasure knowing we have inspired a culture of diversity, social inclusivity, and ESG awareness. As we enter the new decade, our focus will shift towards creating tangible climate resilience through investments in technology, healthcare, and renewable energy," Gocher said.
In his keynote address, Siddhant Raj Pandey, Chairperson of the Nepal Private Equity Association, emphasized the growth of private equity in Nepal and its critical role in the country’s industrialization and economic development over the past decade. Pandey also discussed how private equity funds have been instrumental in fostering collaborations and contributing to Nepal's economic progress.
The highlight of the event was the official launch of the Dolma Climate Fund, announced by Managing Director Bidhyabaridhi Sigdel. The new fund aims to help Nepal tap into global climate finance by attracting private capital to support renewable energy projects and green initiatives.
Dolma’s Investment Director Shabda Gyawali and Head of ESG and Impact, Minakshi Rokka Chhetri, shared key milestones from Dolma’s decade-long journey, emphasizing the company’s ongoing commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices.
A panel discussion moderated by Nikita Bajracharya, Senior Investment Manager at Dolma, brought together key industry figures, including Aditya Dugar from Century Group of Companies, Anup Acharya from Seti Khola Hydropower, and Suman Rayamajhi from Upaya City Cargo. The panel explored the role of private equity in driving cross-sector collaboration and ensuring climate resilience through institutional investments.
The event also featured a special video message from UK Ambassador to Nepal Rob Fenn, who lauded Nepal’s dynamic entrepreneurial landscape and stressed the importance of investment partners in fostering growth-stage companies. He highlighted the need for favorable tax policies to attract more foreign investment to Nepal, noting that Dolma's 2014 launch event took place at the British Embassy, making his address a symbolic continuation of Dolma’s journey.
The celebration concluded with a special recognition of employees who have been with Dolma for over a decade, marking their contributions to the firm’s success. The launch of the Dolma Climate Fund is seen as a significant step towards advancing Nepal's role in global climate finance and reinforcing Dolma’s vision of driving responsible and impactful growth in the country.
