Nepalese Innovator Sangam Chapagai’s AI Startup ‘Cheforge’ Eyes $1 Million Investment on Silicon Valley’s ‘Meet the Drapers’
25th February 2026, Kathmandu
In a moment of pride for Nepal, Sangam Chapagai, a visionary entrepreneur from Kusma, Parbat, is making waves in Silicon Valley’s global tech hub.
Nepalese Innovator Sangam Chapagai’s
His AI-based cooking robot startup, Cheforge, has been featured on the world-renowned startup reality show “Meet the Drapers,” where he is competing for a massive investment of $1 million USD (approximately NPR 14 Crore).
From Kusma to Tesla and Beyond
Sangam Chapagai’s journey is one of academic excellence and relentless innovation. A mechanical engineering graduate and a robotics PhD dropout, Chapagai moved to the United States eight years ago. His technical prowess was further honed during a prestigious five-month internship at Tesla before he launched Cheforge a year ago.
The Future of Kitchen Automation: What is Cheforge?
Currently in its Research and Development (R&D) phase, Cheforge has already developed two fully functional working prototypes. This AI-powered robotic chef is designed to revolutionize the way we eat by using advanced voice and vision technology. Key capabilities include:
Smart Meal Planning: The robot manages grocery inputs and plans meals efficiently.
Culinary Versatility: It is capable of preparing over 500 recipes, ranging from Italian pasta and American burgers to classic chicken curry and fried rice.
Fresh Cooking: Unlike automated vending machines, Cheforge focuses on cooking fresh, high-quality meals from raw ingredients.
Public Voting: A Call to Action for Nepalese Globally
The Cheforge episode aired on February 23, marking the beginning of the crucial public voting round. As part of the international competition, the startup that secures the highest number of public votes will bypass the intermediate rounds and advance directly to the Grand Finale.
This is a golden opportunity for the Nepalese diaspora and supporters worldwide to rally behind a homegrown talent.
Vision for Nepal
Despite his success in the U.S., Chapagai remains deeply connected to his roots. His long-term vision involves transferring advanced robotics knowledge back to Nepal.
He aims to establish a tech ecosystem that creates high-skill job opportunities, ensuring that the next generation of Nepalese engineers can lead global innovations from within the country.
For more: Nepalese Innovator Sangam Chapagai’s



