Twenty Emerging Entrepreneurs Complete U.S. Embassy Capstone Accelerator in Kathmandu

The Capstone Accelerator concludes a nationwide entrepreneurship program that trained more than 200 entrepreneurs across seven cities before selecting twenty founders for its final stage.

Kathmandu – Twenty emerging entrepreneurs from across Nepal completed the U.S. Embassy Entrepreneurship Skill Development Program – Capstone Accelerator today, presenting their businesses before investors, business leaders, and ecosystem partners after three days of intensive training focused on business growth and market readiness.

Selected from more than 200 entrepreneurs who participated in regional workshops across seven cities, the founders came together in Kathmandu for the program's culminating residential accelerator, designed to strengthen investment readiness, export potential, AI adoption, marketing, and strategic communication.

The final day featured an Investment and Global Market-Focused Pitching Session, where each entrepreneur presented their venture before an expert panel and received practical feedback on market opportunities, innovation, scalability, export readiness, and investment potential.

Participants also showcased their products and services during the Capstone "Main Street" Showcase, an interactive marketplace that connected founders directly with investors, business leaders, and members of Nepal's entrepreneurial ecosystem, including AmCham Nepal and other American business leaders. Through live demonstrations and conversations with visitors, entrepreneurs received market feedback while expanding their professional networks and exploring future collaborations.

“Today's Capstone Showcase is more than the conclusion of a program. It is a dynamic part of the strong economic partnership between the United States and Nepal. By investing in emerging entrepreneurs with strong ideas, encouraging innovation, and building connections between founders, industry leaders, and investors, we are advancing commercial diplomacy through people-to-people engagement and private-sector collaboration.

We are proud to support the next generation of Nepali entrepreneurs as they build businesses that will contribute to economic growth and stronger bilateral ties," said Mike Harker, Public Affairs Chief at U.S. Embassy Nepal.

The Capstone Accelerator represents the final stage of the U.S. Embassy Entrepreneurship Skill Development Program, supported by U.S. Embassy Nepal and implemented by the International Development Institute (IDI) in partnership with Aadyanta Advisory.

The broader program reached more than 200 entrepreneurs through intensive workshops delivered in Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Hetauda, Bhairahawa, and Pokhara. Participants later deepened their learning through virtual masterclasses covering legal compliance, export readiness, AI-enabled growth, and digital marketing before twenty founders were selected to continue into the national accelerator.

Over three days in Kathmandu, participants refined their business strategies through interactive masterclasses, mentoring, peer learning, and pitch coaching, concluding with opportunities to present their ventures to key stakeholders from Nepal's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The twenty founders represent a wide range of sectors in Nepal's entrepreneurial landscape, including agriculture and agri-processing, food and beverage, technology, manufacturing, creative industries, consulting, digital services, natural products, handicrafts, cooperatives, and social enterprise. Together, they reflect both emerging and growth-oriented businesses from across the country, united by a commitment to innovation, market expansion, and building enterprises with significant potential to create jobs and contribute to Nepal's economic development.

About the Programme

The U.S. Embassy Entrepreneurship Skill Development Program supports emerging Nepali entrepreneurs through practical business training, mentorship, and market-oriented learning, including from American businesses. Through regional workshops, virtual masterclasses, and the Capstone Accelerator, the programme equips founders with the skills, networks, insights into American business practices, and confidence to build resilient and competitive businesses.

The programme is supported by U.S. Embassy Nepal and implemented by the International Development Institute (IDI) in partnership with Aadyanta Advisory.