Sustainable Startup & Entepreneurship Conference 2025
An intiative of
In partnership with
Strategic partner
Guest of Honour
Her Excellency Leann Johnston
Ambassador of Australia to Nepal
Her Excellency Leann Johnston, appointed as Australia’s Ambassador to Nepal in September 2024, is a senior diplomat with extensive global experience in international cooperation, development, and education diplomacy. Her presence at the conference reflects Australia’s strong commitment to fostering innovation, inclusive education, and sustainable economic growth in Nepal. Her participation also highlights the importance of international partnerships in transforming brain drain into brain gain through diaspora-driven entrepreneurship and knowledge exchange.
Keynote Speaker
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Sumana Shrestha
Former Minister for Education, Science and Technology | Member of Nepal’s Federal Parliament
Sumana Shrestha is a member of Nepal’s Second House of Representatives, elected through the proportional representation system as a representative of the Indigenous community under the Rastriya Swatantra Party. A graduate of MIT Sloan School of Management, she previously worked with Boston Consulting Group and Citigroup in the United States.
Speakers
Panel 1 - Transforming Nepal’s Economy
Maheshwor Dhakal
Joint Secretary in the Government of Nepal (Chief - CCMD). Expert in the Participatory Forest Management Division.
Tejan Gurung
Elite Exped; Expert in sustainable tourism and adventures travel entrepreneurship.
Anima Piya
Co-Founder, Zero Circular; a leading initiative promoting circular economy practices in Nepal. Focus on sustainability and innovative, eco-friendly solutions and sustainable models.
PJ Shrestha
Founder and CEO, Digital Consulting Ventures and Vice President of AFCRC; expert in private and public sector to spark sustainable economic growth.
Neeraj Khanal
Niraj Khanal is an entrepreneurship ecosystem enabler, passionate about innovation and startups. Niraj is the Co-founder/CEO of Antarprerana, a private company that supports business incubators in Nepal and Bhutan.
Panel 2: Unlocking Potential
Dr. Shesh Ghale
Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, CEO of Melbourne Institute of Technology, former NRNA President and global business leader.
Chandika Bhandari
Co-founder, Leapfrog Technology Inc.; leading impact investment initiatives in Nepal.
Shikar Pandit
Managing Associate, Gandhi & Associates; Played a pivotal role in advancing Nepal's corporate legal sector especially in the context of foreign investment and development.
Krishna Bahadur Raut
Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies
Panel 3: Investing in Nepal
Umesh Gupta
Executive Director, IEDI; Policy expert on industrial enterprise development and startup innovation.
Deepa Gurung
Founder, Pari Cosmetics (UK-Based Nepali Diaspora Entrepreneur); Building a global Nepali Beauty Brand.
Nick Abraham
Founder and Managing Director, Interlock Construction; Led sustainable rebuilding initiatives in Nepal and fosters global partnerships to enhance Nepal’s infrastructure and entrepreneurial landscape.
Amigo Khadka
Pioneering organisation dedicated to promoting and elevating Nepal’s tea Industry on the Global Stage.
Panel 4: Bridging the Gap
Dr. Govinda Prasad Sharma
Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and livestock Development (MoALD) Nepal; Policy leader in agri-development.
Appa Sherpa
Director of Nuwa Estate; Expert in sustainable agriculture and focusing on environmentally conscious farming practices and building a bridge between local farmers and international markets.
Moushumi Shrestha
Senior Fellow of Practice, Director of Shreenagar Agro Farms; Expert in sustainable agriculture, focusing on innovative farming practices, organic farming, and enhancing farm productivity while promoting eco-friendly solutions.
Govinda Gurung
CEO Agricultural Development Bank.
Moderators
Samanata Thapa
Founder, Haushala Creatives; Prominent entrepreneur and advocate for sustainable business practices in Nepal.
Amit Koirala
Chief Investment Officer, Addhyanta; Expert in finance, investment strategies, and innovation with over 20 years of experience in the sector.
Ichhya Malla
Founder, People First; empowering marginalised communities particularly women through sustainable development practices.
Guna Raj Dhakal
Chairperson, Renewable Energy Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus; pioneering sustainable energy solutions through education and innovation.
Judges - Future Roots Awards
Andrew Poudel
Co-founder and Director of Grace international Group, Nepal.
Juna Mathema
Leading Entrepreneur and startup mentor, empowering women-led business in Nepal.
Gaurav Agarwal
Founder and President of NYEF, Managing Director of Marriott Hotel in Nepal, and Founder of Agrawal Structural Consultants, specialising in sustainable architecture.
Anu Joshi Shrestha
Rural Enterprise and Value Chain Development Specialist at ICIMOD.
