2025 was a year that stretched us, taught us, and reaffirmed why we do this work. It was inspiring, exhilarating and challenging in ways that meaningful system-level change requires. Through it all, we remain deeply grateful for the continuous belief and support of our users, local, regional and global ecosystem partners, and stakeholders, and the broader Impact Hub family to strengthen our work in Nepal.
We kicked off the year with the Nepal Assistive Device Makeathon highlighting the power of inclusive design, cross-sectoral innovation and meaningful policy dialogue in advancing assistive technology. This initiative set a strong foundation for the year to continue our work in enabling a more accessible and inclusive space, programs and future in Nepal.
The momentum continued with the Demo Day for the Recycling and Upcycling (RU) Business Incubation and Startup Support Mobilisation Program. This inspiring event featured thirteen incubatees, who went through a rigorous incubation cycle, to showcase their innovative waste sector business ideas and prototypes. This event demonstrated the potential of environmental impact and economic opportunity.
November marked a deeply profound milestone with the graduation of the Building Entrepreneurial Access Models (BEAM) incubation program. The ceremony celebrated eleven women entrepreneurs with disabilities who completed a year-long journey of exemplified resilience, innovation, and perseverance in the face of structural and social barriers. The ceremony brought together diverse stakeholders, reflecting the collective responsibility required to advance inclusive entrepreneurship.
We closed the year on a strong note with the Conclave on Circularity in Nepal: Transitioning into a Sustainable Future – II, in Lumbini, under the Roots of Circularity (RoC) Project. The two-day Conclave, featured incubatee recognition, exhibitions, policy dialogue, hands-on workshops, and student-focused innovation sessions. The event concluded with shared commitments to strengthen partnerships, build capacities, and accelerate Nepal’s transition to a circular and regenerative economy.
Building on the same energy at home, we participated in our, eagerly awaited, annual APAC Regional Gathering at Impact Hub Hyderabad. Impact Hub Kathmandu joined eleven other Impact Hubs from across the Asia-Pacific region in Hyderabad for the annual APAC Regional Gathering. Aarati and my participation reaffirmed the importance of coming together in person as a regional network. Being in the same space allowed for deeper conversations, mutual learning, and a renewed sense of connection that continues to shape how we collaborate across the region.
The Gathering highlighted storytelling as a key practice for social innovators, helping articulate purpose, build trust, and shape collective change. It reaffirmed that trust grows through in-person proximity, with shared time and informal interactions playing a vital role in strengthening meaningful regional collaboration. Engagement with the Hyderabad and broader Indian social entrepreneurship ecosystem further enriched the Gathering. Visits to T-Hub, T-Works and WE-Hub offered valuable insights into innovation infrastructure, prototyping ecosystems, and approaches to supporting women-led enterprises. Participating at the Social Entrepreneurship Conference – IMPULSE, organised by the Bala Vikasa Center for Social Entrepreneurship, was an enriching experience. As a panelist, I engaged with fellow practitioners and inspiring changemakers across India, while sharing innovations from Nepal’s impact entrepreneurship ecosystem.
For us, participation in the annual APAC Regional Gatherings continues to strengthen our connection to the wider APAC community and the Impact Hub Network, while reinforcing the value of investing in regional and global partnerships. Thank you Impact Hub Hyderabad and the APAC organizing team for making it such a memorable event!
2025 was indeed a year of inclusion, innovation, and collective action. From advancing assistive technology and circular economy solutions to supporting women entrepreneurs with disabilities and strengthening local partnerships across Nepal. The reflections and insights will continue to inform how we approach impact and innovation in Nepal through storytelling, collaboration, and trust-building within our global and regional ecosystems.
Please reach out to me at [email protected] if you would like to know more about our work or want to collaborate on any projects at Impact Hub Kathmandu and be part of a global tribe of changemakers!
