Valediction Ceremony of First Cohort of India-Nepal Startup Partnership Network Commences
Kathmandu, Nepal – On January 30, 2026, the valediction ceremony for the inaugural cohort of the India-Nepal Startup Partnership Network (IN-SPAN) took place at IIT Madras in Chennai. This significant event marked the culmination of an eight-week, fully funded training and innovation program designed to foster collaboration between Indian and Nepali startups.
Overview of IN-SPAN
The IN-SPAN initiative, which included 24 Nepali startups, was launched to enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nepal and strengthen ties between India and Nepal. The program was conducted in collaboration with the IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation, which has a proven track record of incubating successful startups.
Key Highlights of the Ceremony
Munu Mahawar, Additional Secretary (North) at the Ministry of External Affairs, served as the Chief Guest for the ceremony. In her address, she expressed gratitude to the IIT Madras ecosystem for hosting the first cohort and congratulated the participants for their achievements.
Mahawar emphasized that the initiative would significantly advance India-Nepal startup collaboration, paving the way for future partnerships and innovations.
Feedback from Participants
During the ceremony, participants Yunika Bajracharya, Founder of Edavor, and Asim Shrestha, Founder of Edtraa, shared their experiences. They noted that the program exceeded their expectations and proposed the establishment of an IIT Madras Pravartak Centre of Excellence in Nepal to institutionalize the learnings gained during the program.
Program Structure
The IN-SPAN program was structured into three distinct stages:
- Weeks 1-4: Participants attended lectures and workshops led by esteemed faculty members from IIT Madras, as well as startup practitioners. They engaged with 25 Chief Executives (CxOs) of Indian startups to gain real-world insights and feedback.
- Weeks 5-6: The focus shifted to skill development in advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, semiconductors, and solar photovoltaic systems.
- Weeks 7-8: Participants had the opportunity to intern at relevant startups in India, allowing them to apply their newly acquired skills in practical settings.
Success Stories and Collaborations
The comprehensive nature of the program facilitated numerous business collaborations between Nepali and Indian startups. Notably, nine Nepali startups received incubation and investment offers from the IIT Madras Incubation Cell and IIT Madras Pravartak. The IIT Madras Incubation Cell is recognized as one of India’s premier deep-tech incubators, with a portfolio that boasts a combined valuation exceeding USD 6 billion.
The Selection Process
The 24 participants of the first IN-SPAN cohort were selected through a rigorous competitive process. Out of approximately 250 applications from across Nepal, candidates were evaluated based on their written submissions, presentations, and interviews conducted by a selection committee led by IIT Madras Pravartak. The selected participants represented a diverse array of sectors, including:
- Cybersecurity
- E-commerce
- Content creation platforms
- Artificial Intelligence
- Quick commerce
- Edtech
- Healthcare
- Drone technology
- Cleantech
- Agritech
- Legal tech
- Climate tech
- Aerospace
- Fintech
Future of IN-SPAN
Originally envisioned as an annual initiative, the IN-SPAN program is set to launch its next cohort in the coming months due to the overwhelming interest from the Nepali startup community. This reflects the growing enthusiasm for entrepreneurial development and cross-border collaboration in the region.
Conclusion
The valediction ceremony of the first cohort of the India-Nepal Startup Partnership Network not only celebrated the achievements of the participants but also highlighted the potential for future collaborations. The initiative stands as a testament to the commitment of both nations to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
Note: This article is based on information available as of January 30, 2026, and aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the IN-SPAN program and its impact on the startup ecosystem in Nepal.
