The Embassy of India and Clock b Business Innovations host the Second edition of Connect [IN] – International Entrepreneurship Conclave on 19th January 2019, at Hotel Yak & Yeti, Kathmandu, Nepal.
On 24th March 2018, Embassy of India and Clock b successfully hosted its first edition which brought together over 400 Nepalese and Indian startups, entrepreneurs, investors, venture capitalists, aspiring youths, experts, high ranking Nepali and Indian government officials and representatives from media that provided a common platform for the exchange of innovative ideas between the entrepreneurial communities of the two countries.
The Conference set with a theme ‘To connect the great entrepreneurial minds of Nepal & India’ has help build market connections between Startups, Entrepreneurs; Investors; Marketers; Lawyers; Auditors; Government; Universities/Colleges; Mentors; Advisors; Corporate Leaders; Incubators/Accelerators; Development Partners; Business Enthusiasts. The conclave also aims to aid collaborative discussion and learning.
At Second edition of Connect [IN] the young entrepreneurs get an opportunity to connect with investors, venture capitalists and mentors; discuss with the entrepreneurial ecosystem actors; learn from the prominent entrepreneurial journeys; and network with fellow entrepreneurs from India and Nepal.
One of the core objectives of Second edition of Connect [IN] initiative is to scout Startups, provide them with training and mentorship in the Incubation programme, and finally take the most promising startups to the finale. Thereby the organizers hosted series of college and youth-level promotional activities and Ideation workshops in various cities to look for the entrepreneurial enthusiasts.
After yearlong social media campaign, outreach activities that reach up to more than one million and partnerships, hundreds of applications were received. After screening these ideas, top 21 ideas were selected for 7 days ‘Startup Incubation Programme.’ Then, these 21 Startups went through Idea Auditions and finally6 most promising ideas were selected for the Finale to Pitch their ideas in front of Investors, Media and Entrepreneurs from Nepal and India. The top 6 ideas who appeared in the finale are Airlift, Swadeshi Innovations, Maker Valley, Unschool, Offering Happiness, and Walkman.
H.E. Manjeev Singh Puri, Ambassador of India to Nepal address the event as the Inaugural note at the event. “He emphasized on the young entrepreneur’s energy in the hall and express his gratitude for getting such a beautiful opportunity to collaborates with both young and aspiring entrepreneurs from Nepal and India. He also stated that in this era of globalization the conference like this will play pivotal role to make platform for young entrepreneur to make connection between entrepreneurship ecosystem now and in the days to come. Stating the Nepalese youth he said that,” Nepalese youth are not only able to work in abroad but are also equally capable of investing in different sector such as education technology and hospitality sector and can generate employment opportunity and contribute for the development process of overall Nations”.
Mr. Vikrant Gugnani, Founder of You First Ventures &TransAsia Ventures; Mr. Aditya Ghosh, CEO for India and South Asia, OYO Hotels & Homes; Mr. Hem RajDhakal, Co-Founder & Managing Director, IME Group; Mr. Ranjit Acharya, CEO of Prisma Advertising; Mr. NarottamAryal, President at King’s College; Mr. SushilPokharel, CEO of Sushmit Group; Mr. KapidhwajaPratap Singh, Second Secretary, Embassy of India; Mr. VarunSaraf, Venture Philanthropist and Social Entrepreneur; Mr. KuberChalise, Editor of Karobar Daily are few of the speakers for the Connect[IN] event.
The chief guest for the conclave was Mr.Bishnu Rimal, Chief Advisior to RT.Hon’ble prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oil.”He stated that youth are the engine of the Nation”. According to Mr.Rimal,” Nepalese youth are becoming technologically Advance day by day so government of Nepal is always looking forward to collaborate with the youth so as to make the upgrade and updated societies”. “He also stated that for development process an enthusiasm is must and only the youth are enthusiastic by the nature for the great new idea and innovations that can be helpful for development process and that could only be generated through youth and youth have that capability to guide the government in the development process.”
With dynamic entrepreneurs from both countries coming together, the event serve as a hotpot for the idea to meet potential investors. This event also served as an innovation forum which can be example to scale up and entrepreneurial ecosystem and also to help bridge the gap of an aspiring entrepreneur to their business across the borders.
As many as 700 plus entrepreneurs, startups, and students have actively participated in the event. The conference was categorized in different session where most of the session was based on panel discussion followed by Q&A and Networking.
This second edition of Connect [IN] is co-organized by Clock b Business innovations and Embassy of India. The initiative is powered by SJVN and BlincVentures.com are the premiere sponsor. The initiative is also supported by OYO Rooms – Hospitality Partner, National Insurance – Insurance Partner, Nepal Tourism Board – Tourism Partner, Upasarga Technologies – Technology Partner, King’s College – Knowledge Partner, Udaan – Magazine Partner and Daaqi – Logistics Partner.
