KATHMANDU, Aug 6: A nationwide campaign to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and startup culture was officially launched on Thursday, with organizers announcing plans to expand the Startup Summit Nepal 2026 initiative to all seven provinces and educational institutions across the country.
The campaign was inaugurated at the Central Library Hall of Tribhuvan University under the theme “The Role of Startups in Nation Building.” The launch event brought together students, academics, entrepreneurs, investors, media representatives and other stakeholders.
According to the organizers, the initiative aims to curb youth migration by creating opportunities for young people within Nepal and fostering an environment that supports innovation and entrepreneurship. The campaign will provide practical guidance on startup development, business registration, business planning, access to finance, startup loans, market expansion and the challenges and opportunities of running enterprises.
Addressing the event, TU Vice Chancellor Bhola Thapa said university education should not only prepare students for employment but also encourage entrepreneurship. He said such programs should be expanded nationwide and pledged the university’s support for similar initiatives.
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Chairperson of Startup Summit Nepal 2026, Shova Gyawali, said the campaign seeks to harness the talent and creativity of Nepali youth at home instead of allowing it to be lost to overseas migration.
“Our biggest challenge today is brain drain. We must now transform it into brain gain,” Gyawali said. “Nepal has no shortage of talent, potential or creativity. What is needed is the right mindset, proper guidance and opportunities.”
She said the campaign would be expanded to all seven provinces and 77 districts through partnerships with universities, colleges, schools, government agencies, the private sector and financial institutions to build a national startup ecosystem.
Former Executive Director of the Industrial Enterprise Development Institute, Engineer Umesh Kumar Gupta Rauniyar, said successful entrepreneurship depends more on planning, determination and consistent effort than on large amounts of capital. He also delivered a presentation on company registration, legal procedures, market research, investment management and startup financing.
The event featured success stories of Nepali startup founders and entrepreneurs who returned from foreign employment to establish businesses in Nepal. Students also participated in an interactive session on entrepreneurship, investment, business expansion and government policies.
Organizers said the initiative will continue as a long-term national campaign to strengthen collaboration among government agencies, educational institutions, the private sector, financial institutions and investors in order to build a stronger innovation-driven startup ecosystem in Nepal.
