Kathmandu, Nepal – December 10, 2025 (27th Mangshir,
Wednesday) – Hima Aus Offshore presents Hult Prize at IOE, Pulchowk Campus
successfully conducted the Orientation Programme and Panel Discussion today.The
event aimed to inspire participants to tackle global challenges through
limitless ideas and sustainable ventures. Sponsored by Title Sponsor Hima Aus
Offshore Pvt. Ltd., General Partner Himalayan Bank, and in-kind supporters
including The Plantroom (plants), HESSE Creations (keyrings), Dabur Nepal
(juice and hydration), and Ralycos Nepal (cosmetic hampers), the program
blended motivational sessions, performances, and expert insights to kick off
the competition season.
The day-long event unfolded in two phases: an engaging
orientation session in the morning, followed by an insightful panel discussion
on entrepreneurship and social impact in the afternoon. With a considerable
number of students and guests in attendance, the program underscored the
growing role of Nepal's youth in addressing pressing global issues, aligning
with the Hult Prize's mission to foster social enterprises.
ORIENTATION SESSION
The orientation officially commenced at 11:15 AM with
the resonant playing of Nepal's national anthem, setting a patriotic and
unifying tone. Emcees Mr. Sagar Regmi, the technical manager for Hult Prize at
IOE Pulchowk Campus, and Ms. Anjila Bashyal, a student at the campus,
took
the stage with poise and energy. They began by
acknowledging the event's sponsors and extending a warm welcome to
distinguished guests, including Dr. Puskar Raj Pokharel, Assistant Campus Chief
of Pulchowk Campus; Ms. Riyaj Nepal, National Coordinator of Hult Prize
Nationals and former Campus Director at IOE Pulchowk; Mr. Albert Dhakal,
Treasurer of the Free Student Union at Pulchowk Campus; and Mr. Anup Acharya,
Marketing Manager of Hima Aus Offshore Pvt. Ltd.
In a symbolic gesture reflecting the Hult Prize's
commitment to sustainability and growth, the guests inaugurated the program by
watering a plant on stage. This eco-friendly ritual emphasized the
competition's agendas of environmental stewardship and social progress. The
emcees, praised for their seamless coordination and engaging delivery, kept the
audience captivated throughout.
Adding a cultural flair, exceptional singer and
guitarist Shirshak Subedi, a student from Pulchowk Campus, delivered a
heartfelt welcome performance. His rendition of the beloved Nepali folk song
"Gauri Khet Ko Sirai Hanyo," accompanied by skillful guitar playing,
evoked applause and set an inspiring mood.
Mr. Raunak Mishra then addressed the gathering,
sharing his vision for the year's program. He outlined the event's structure,
highlighting opportunities for students to develop ideas that address United
Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The highlight of his speech was the
reveal of the 2025 Hult Prize theme: "UNLIMITED." Emphasizing
boundless potential, Mr. Mishra urged participants to think beyond constraints
and innovate fearlessly.
The session reached its pinnacle with a comprehensive
presentation by Ms. Riyaj Nepal. Drawing from her own journey as a past campus
director, she detailed the Hult Prize's global structure, from on-campus rounds
to regional summits and the grand finals in Boston. Ms. Nepal shared success
stories from IOE Pulchowk's previous participations, explaining why students
should join to gain real-world skills, funding, and mentorship. Her interactive
style, marked by crowd engagement and polished presenting skills, left the
audience motivated and informed.
To mark the close of the orientation, all guests were
invited onstage for a cake-cutting ceremony, symbolizing collective
celebration. Tokens of appreciation were distributed, and the session wrapped
up around 1:00 PM, paving the way for the afternoon's panel discussion.
PANEL DISCUSSION
The second phase kicked off at approximately 1:30 PM,
transforming the hall into a hub of dialogue on "Entrepreneurship &
Social Impact." Moderated by the adept Mr. Sagar Regmi, who skillfully
guided the conversation with probing questions and smooth transitions, the
panel featured five accomplished entrepreneurs sharing their journeys,
challenges, and advice.
The esteemed panelists included:
- Preeti Adhikary, General Partner at Momo VC,
Founder of The Great Nepali Diaspora, and Founder of The Empowered Women.
- Samir Phuyal, CEO and Founder of Karobar App,
Winner of the ICT Award 2022. - Nischal Sharma, CEO of Upaya
Technologies, Managing Director of Brainiverse Academy, and Co-Founder of
Mishka KTM.
- Pramosh Adhikari, Founder and Managing
Director of Homify LLC, COO of Slashplus, and Co-Founder of Anautho
Marketing.
- Shova Gyawali, Director of Nepal Republic
Media and President of the Federation of Woman Entrepreneurs Associations of
Nepal (FWEAN).
Drawing from a prepared questionnaire, the discussion
delved into personal expertise, entrepreneurial journeys, and tailored advice
for Hult Prize participants. Ms. Adhikary reflected on community building,
sharing lessons from growing networks of over 2,000 members across 50 global
chapters, and debunked misconceptions about investing in diverse founders. She
advised students on tapping into the Nepali diaspora and avoiding common pitch
pitfalls, while highlighting resources in Nepal often overlooked by budding
entrepreneurs.
Mr. Phuyal recounted Karobar App's growth to 300,000+
users, discussing user feedback, market expansion to Bangladesh, and the
importance of simplicity for non-tech-savvy MSMEs. He shared early failures and
survival strategies, urging students to prioritize real user needs over
"cool tech."
Mr. Sharma, with his multi-venture experience spanning
furniture, ethnic wear, digital marketing, and education, spoke on time
management, exiting businesses like Guchha Trading, and deciding which
opportunities to pursue. He encouraged exploring multiple ideas while warning
against common pitfalls in Nepal's ecosystem.
Mr. Adhikari, juggling real estate, tech, and
marketing, offered insights on avoiding burnout, evaluating opportunities, and
pivoting from failures. He stressed viability testing for ideas and shared his
worst business decision as a learning moment.
Ms. Gyawali, balancing media and advocacy roles,
addressed barriers for women entrepreneurs, media strategies for visibility,
and systemic issues beyond business models. She advocated for policy changes to
accelerate women's entrepreneurship and emphasized journalistic integrity in
covering social issues.
All panelists responded thoughtfully and
enthusiastically, providing practical, high-level insights that resonated with
the audience. Their answers highlighted themes of resilience, user-centric
design, diversity, and sustainable scaling—perfectly aligning with the Hult
Prize's focus on social ventures.
Following the main discussion, a lively Q&A
session allowed audience members to interact directly with the panelists. The
crowd posed insightful questions on funding, market entry, and overcoming
failures, met with kind, enthusiastic responses that fostered a collaborative
atmosphere.
To conclude, tokens of appreciation were presented:
custom keyrings from HESSE Creations, gift hampers featuring Ralycos Cosmetic
Products, and indoor plant pots from The Plantroom. Guests and attendees
mingled for networking, exchanging ideas and contacts. The program officially
ended at around 3:30 PM, leaving participants energized for the Hult Prize
journey ahead.
This event not only launched the on-campus Hult Prize
at IOE Pulchowk but also reinforced Nepal's burgeoning startup ecosystem. As
Ms. Nepal noted, "The Hult Prize isn't just a competition, it's a
launchpad for change-makers." With sponsors like Hima Aus Offshore Pvt.
Ltd., such initiatives, the future looks unlimited for Nepal's young
innovators.
