23rd August 2023, Kathmandu
In an impactful endeavor, Curiouswe ( Startup Idea Pitch Competition) orchestrated the culmination of “The Entrepreneur’s Guide For Beginners 2.0”, a comprehensive seven-day entrepreneurship workshop, culminating in a spirited Startup Idea Pitch Competition.
Held on July 28th, 2023, this event marked a significant milestone in Nepal’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Distinguished by the convergence of 24 prominent Nepali entrepreneurs, 50 innovative startup idea registrations, 16 dynamic pitches, and over 200 participants along with 1000+ visitors from 50+ colleges within the Kathmandu Valley, the event harnessed an entrepreneurial energy that left an indelible mark.
The meticulously crafted workshop delved into diverse entrepreneurial facets, encompassing ideation, validation, marketing, market segmentation, targeting and positioning (STP), finance, legal considerations, and social impact. Participants were privileged to glean insights from the journeys and challenges of triumphant entrepreneurs who have ignited change within their domains.
The top honor in the Startup Idea Pitch Competition was clinched by Team JOD, an innovative social enterprise uplifting street shoe menders while fostering their growth. Team Shabdamrit secured the first runner-up position, closely followed by Team The Map as the second runner-up.
Genesis of the Triumph
Curiouswe embarked on a mission to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset within college students, fostering positive environmental and societal impacts. An earlier 10-day entrepreneurship workshop, though successful, attracted limited participation due to the novelty of the term “entrepreneurship.”
Undeterred, Curiouswe amplified marketing efforts and heightened workshop quality. This year, they curated a more focused seven-day workshop followed by the grand Startup Idea Pitch Competition, thereby enhancing accessibility for attendees.
Distinguished leaders in Nepal’s entrepreneurial realm were strategically invited to share their wisdom. Notably, the workshop featured:
Ajit Bikram Shah, CEO of Lotus Holdings and Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Nepal, imparted insights on Entrepreneurship’s essence.
Surendra Chaudhary, Regional Manager of WorldLink Communications, shared expertise in Product Development and Marketing.
Startup Idea Pitch Competition
Bigyan Gupta, CEO of Pedal Group Pvt. Ltd., enriched attendees on Market Segmentation, Targeting, and Positioning (STP).
Swastika Rajbhandari, Founder of Kaasthakala and Thriftbank, delved into Management, Team, and Operations.
Dolraj Poudel, a seasoned Chartered Accountant, guided attendees on Financial Modeling and Terms.
Santosh Pandey, Co-founder of Offering Happiness and Oho Cake, illuminated Pitching, Fundraising, and Product Launch dynamics.
The Climactic Pitch Competition
Post-workshop, participants showcased their entrepreneurial concepts before a distinguished panel of judges, including prominent entrepreneurs, investors, media figures, and students. The meticulously executed process distilled the 16 most promising teams from an initial pool of 50+ registrations.
The pitch day itself materialized as a colossal gathering of Nepal’s entrepreneurial elite, inspiring and galvanizing the youth through shared experiences and wisdom.
Celebrated Judges and Thought Leaders
Distinguished judges, such as Shakti Golyan and Chirag Goyal, Executive Directors of Golyan Group, and Pratik Kunwar, Founder of CEI, Scholar, and One Young World delegate speaker, lent their discerning eyes to the pitches. Additionally, luminaries like Niraj Kafle, Co-Founder of Offering Happiness, Hemant Puranik, CEO of IME Motors Pvt. Ltd. and IME Electric Pvt. Ltd., and Resta Jha, Executive Chairman of KFA, graced the event with their insights during a panel discussion on Nepal’s entrepreneurial landscape.
A Vision Realized
Curiouswe’s dream bore fruition as Nepal’s finest entrepreneurs converged, illuminating the workshop and final event. The resounding success was measured not only by a remarkable 400% increase in participation compared to the previous year but also by widespread media coverage and effusive participant feedback.
This is merely the beginning. Curiouswe, driven by its commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, promises an even more spectacular endeavor in the near future. Stay tuned for their next chapter of transformative inspiration.
