Forge Nepal Demo Day: Aarambha School Students Launch AI Startups in Kathmandu
13th August 202
Aarambha Sanskar Vidyalaya successfully hosted the inaugural Forge Nepal Demo Day at Hotel Malla this evening, celebrating the culmination of a landmark three-week AI startup sprint that transformed twenty-eight Grade VII–IX students (ages 12–15) into young founders, product builders, and entrepreneurs.
Forge Nepal Demo Day
Forge Nepal is an intensive entrepreneurship program designed by Ms. Liv Kobberstad in collaboration with Aarambha Sanskar Vidyalaya. Unlike traditional educational initiatives, Forge Nepal emphasizes relentless action over theory: students do not merely learn about AI entrepreneurship—they become AI founders. Over three weeks, students conducted 20–30 customer interviews using the Mom Test methodology, identified critical business problems, built working AI prototypes using Claude Code, and deployed their solutions with real businesses—all culminating in venture-caliber pitches delivered at Demo Day.
The Demo Day gathered approximately 150 stakeholders, including parents, educators, government officials, technology professionals, banking sector representatives, business owners, media representatives, and potential investors. The evening featured eighteen three-minute pitches from student-led teams, followed by an interactive exhibition where guests circulated to see live product demonstrations and explore each team’s entrepreneurial journey—from initial hypothesis through customer research, product development, and real-world validation.
KEY REMARKS
“This is not just a school event—it is a genuine startup showcase,” said Naresh Prasad Shrestha, Chairman and Principal of Aarambha Sanskar Vidyalaya. “Our students have discovered they are not confined to classrooms. They are creators, problem-solvers, and the future builders of Nepal. What matters now is how we, as a community, nurture this spark. Will we invest in them? Will we open more doors? Tonight is proof of what becomes possible when we do.”
“Students do not simply learn about AI entrepreneurship; they become AI founders by the end,” explained Ms. Liv Kobberstad, Program Director of Forge Nepal. “Forge Nepal is built on relentless action over theory. These young people conducted real customer interviews, identified real market problems, and built real solutions. The pitches you heard tonight—and the products you saw—are genuinely valuable. This is entrepreneurship at its core, and it is happening in Kathmandu.”
In his opening remarks, Vice Principal Dinesh Shrestha welcomed the guests and participants, emphasizing the school’s commitment to fostering innovation and holistic education.
Chief Guest Milan Pandey and Special Guest Chiranjibi Adhikari, Acting President of the Computer Association of Nepal, delivered opening remarks emphasizing the significance of youth-led innovation for Nepal’s technological future. Dr. Mahabir Pun, Honorable Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovation, sent a video message of encouragement, further underscoring government support for initiatives that empower young innovators.
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Delivering Keynote remarks, the Federation of Computer Association of Nepal (CAN Federation) Acting President and Founder CEO of One Cover Private Limited, Mr. Chiranjibi Adhikari, emphasized the critical need to bridge academic education with practical industry skills: “When 12-to-15-year-old students build and deploy working AI applications into real Kathmandu businesses, it proves that Nepal’s youth are ready to lead our digital transformation. CAN Federation remains fully committed to supporting a ‘Skills-First’ ecosystem—moving beyond theoretical learning to empower young creators, software builders, and future tech leaders across the nation.”
WHAT FORGE NEPAL ACCOMPLISHED
12 student teams built working AI products deployed in real Kathmandu businesses
28 young entrepreneurs (ages 12–15) conducted 500+ customer interviews using professional methodology
Students mastered professional AI development tools (Claude Code) used by Silicon Valley engineers. Students delivered venture-capital-style pitches to potential investors, business owners, and media
All students walked away with real AI products they can take forward as genuine startups, if they choose
ABOUT AARAMBHA SANSKAR VIDYALAYA
Aarambha Sanskar Vidyalaya is a K–12 school in Pipal Bot, Kathmandu, founded on the principle that education must do two things simultaneously: equip students with 21st-century skills while honoring the timeless values of Nepal.
The school serves approximately 700 students across four divisions (Pre-School, Elementary, Basic, and High School) and is guided by the RISE values framework: Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence. Through initiatives like Forge Nepal, Aarambha is pioneering what genuine, real-world education looks like—preparing students not just to understand the world, but to change it.
For more: Forge Nepal Demo Day
