The In-Span Center has announced that it will establish an incubation center, conduct monthly trainings, operate a helpline, and organize a biennial conference to empower startups in Nepal and India.
We use Google Cloud Translation Services. Google requires we provide the following disclaimer relating to use of this service:
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, expressed or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and noninfringement.
The 'India–Nepal Startup Partnership Network (IN-SPAN) Centre of Excellence', established with the aim of developing startups and entrepreneurship between Nepal and India, has formalized its institutional structure. On Thursday, the Centre's first board meeting dissolved the previous ad hoc committee and formed a nine-member executive board.
Asim Shrestha has been selected as the chairperson of the board formed for a three-year term from 2026 to 2029. Praveen Bhattarai has been chosen as vice-chairperson, Shreyanch Shrestha as general secretary, Ritik Babu Shrestha as deputy general secretary, and Pradeep Giri as treasurer. The executive members are Mohan Tamang, Vishnu Kumar Agrawal, Nikesh Singh, and Sunil KC.
This Centre was established as a joint effort of the Nepal–India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI), the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, and IITM Pravartak, Madras, India. Twenty-four startups from Nepal participated in an intensive two-month capacity-building program in India. This permanent structure was created to institutionalize the success and energy generated by that program in a long-term manner.
The Centre has announced five major initiatives for the next three years to strengthen the startup ecosystem across Nepal. The Centre stated that an incubation center will be established in the Kathmandu Valley to provide business mentorship and infrastructure to 25 startups annually.
In collaboration with the Indian Embassy and NICCI, monthly training programs will be conducted across the country, providing professional training to 500 startup founders each year. In addition, a town hall discussion will be held every month with selected startups, involving experts and speakers from Nepal and India.
A dedicated helpline will be piloted so that founders can directly seek advice by phone regarding innovation and business challenges. A regional conference called 'Startup Samvad' will be organized every two years to bring together startup founders, investors, and partners from Nepal and India in one place.
IN-SPAN has announced that it will begin its formal work plan with the first town hall program to be held in the last week of July (first week of Shrawan). The Centre has also announced institutional collaboration with India's leading institution, IITM Pravartak, Madras, to strengthen technical and academic partnerships.
The first board meeting was attended by Suman Shekhar, First Secretary (Commerce) at the Indian Embassy in Nepal, and Sunil KC, President of the Nepal–India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI), among others.
Speaking at the meeting, First Secretary Shekhar expressed happiness that the IN-SPAN Centre of Excellence had taken formal shape within a year as planned last year. He expressed the Indian Embassy's commitment to continue supporting Nepali youth through this initiative in the days ahead.
NICCI President KC said that this initiative was the result of a joint concept developed about a year ago. "The real challenge is not just forming an institution or group, but selecting capable leadership to move it forward successfully with goals, dedication, and commitment," he said.
This Centre has set a long-term goal of connecting entrepreneurs, researchers, and institutions from Nepal and India to contribute to cross-border collaboration and regional economic prosperity.
