Unlocking Innovation in Nepal: Nominations Open For 10th ICT Award – A Decade of Digital Excellence

18th July 2025, Kathmandu

The highly anticipated 10th edition of the ICT Award, recognized as the most prestigious technology accolade in the information and communication technology sector, officially commenced its online nomination process today, Shrawan 1. Organized annually by Living with ICT since 2016, this year’s awards invite applications across an expanded 15 categories, celebrating a decade of digital transformation and innovation.

Unlocking Innovation in Nepal

The ICT Award serves as a comprehensive platform, acknowledging not only technology-sector startups, innovations, and products but also significant digital transformation initiatives within both public and private institutions. Furthermore, the awards honor individuals who have made profound contributions to the information and communication technology landscape.

Expanding its influence beyond Nepal’s borders, the ICT Award has embraced an international dimension. For the past three years, it has successfully hosted the ‘South Asia Startup Award,’ specifically targeting burgeoning tech ventures in South Asian countries. The initiative also fosters collaborations with other esteemed international awards, including the World Summit Awards (WSA).

Following an intensive six-month preparation period, the grand finale of the ICT Award is slated for the first week of Poush. This monumental event, encompassing online nominations, over 25 meticulous selection-process meetings, numerous pre-events, and a dedicated television show, is poised to be Nepal’s largest and most extravagant award ceremony.

A distinguished panel of 20 expert jury members, comprising both national and international figures, will meticulously evaluate nominations across all 15 categories. Their efforts will be further guided by an advisory committee composed of over 12 prominent individuals from both governmental and private sectors.

Since its inception in 2016, the ICT Award has consistently evolved, refining its scope and impact each year. Notably, for the past two years, the organizers have recognized outstanding startups from all seven provinces through the ‘Provincial ICT Startup Recognition.’ This year continues the tradition, with plans for a dedicated Startup Fest, hackathon, and television show, all spotlighting startups and innovations from every corner of Nepal.

Dive into the 15 Prestigious ICT Award Categories:

The 10th ICT Award is structured into distinct categories, each designed to celebrate specific facets of the digital ecosystem:

Category A: For Innovators & Creators (Self-Nomination Required)

Startup ICT Award 2025: Encouraging IT product, service, and innovation companies registered and operating in Nepal for up to five years.

Product ICT Award 2025: Honoring Nepali companies, institutions, groups, or individuals for IT or innovative products publicly released between B.S. 2081 and Asar 2082.

Rising Star Innovation ICT Award 2025: Recognizing college and university students and youth under 30 for their industry project research, ideas, innovations, and products.

Social Innovation ICT Award 2025: Promoting innovations with positive societal and national impact, developed and utilized by governmental bodies, development partners, social organizations, and entrepreneurs over the past five years.

Category B: Recognizing Individual Contributions (Self or Third-Party Nomination)

Professional Excellence ICT Award 2025: Acknowledging IT professionals with at least five years of experience, recognized for their contributions, expertise, and work across various tech domains.

Pioneer ICT Award 2025: Presented to senior individuals with a minimum of 20 years of distinguished contributions and work experience in the information and communication technology sector.

Nepalese Diaspora ICT Award 2025: Honoring persons of Nepalese origin residing abroad who have significantly contributed to Nepal’s digital ecosystem, society, and nation through ICT.

Entrepreneurs ICT Award 2025: Recognizing active Nepalese entrepreneurs in the information and communication technology sector with a minimum of seven years of experience.

Women Icon ICT Award 2025: Celebrating Nepalese women active in the information and communication technology sector, including entrepreneurs, leaders, professionals, and those who have performed exemplary work.

Category C: Celebrating Digital Transformation in Institutions (Third-Party Nomination Recommended)

Digital Governance ICT Award 2025: For governmental bodies, authorities, departments, agencies, or local municipalities that have digitized public services and facilities to offer technology-friendly citizen services.

Digital Education ICT Award (Public Sector) 2025: Recognizing government and community educational institutions for exemplary work in modernizing and making the education sector technology-friendly through ICT in teaching, learning, and management.

Digital Education ICT Award (Private Sector) 2025: Recognizing private educational institutions for exemplary work in modernizing and making the education sector technology-friendly through ICT in teaching, learning, and management.

Digital Services ICT Award 2025 (Enterprise Sector): For private-sector corporate institutions, limited companies, or firms (e.g., banks, hospitals, insurance, corporations) that have modernized traditional service systems and deliver services through technology to the general public.

Digital Services ICT Award 2025 (Neo Sector): For technology-based digital platforms (digital systems, applications, websites) providing services to the public, distinctly different from traditional services.

Category D: International Recognition

South Asia Startup ICT Award 2025: Open to startups up to five years old from South Asian countries: India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Nepal.

In addition to these prestigious award categories, the program will feature enriching bootcamps, insightful exhibitions, and the ‘Best Startup’ recognition across all seven provinces. Aspiring candidates and nominators are encouraged to visit the official website, www.ictaward.org, to log in, provide the necessary details, and submit their nomination forms.

The window for online nominations will remain open until the 31st of Shrawan. Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of Nepal’s most significant technology celebration and contribute to the nation’s digital future.

For more: Unlocking Innovation in Nepal