We’re excited to kick off the second year of the Recycling and Upcycling (RU) Business Incubation Program and Post-Incubation Support under the KOICA and UNDP supported Green Job Creation Through Recycling and Upcycling (GCRU) project in Pokhara Metropolitan City. What started as a promising first cohort is now growing into a stronger, more inclusive platform for RU entrepreneurs in Pokhara.
Building on a Strong First Year
The first year of the program in 2025 laid important groundwork. We supported 20 aspiring entrepreneurs and existing businesses through incubation, with six ventures advancing to the post incubation stage. As we step into year two, we bring forward key learnings, renewed energy, and a continued commitment to strengthening waste based enterprises.
We will also continue working closely with the six ventures from the 2025 cohort, following up on their progress, particularly around machine setup and operations, to ensure their businesses are not only launched but running sustainably and effectively.
What This Year’s Incubation Looks Like
This year, the incubation program will be delivered through two cohorts over a four month period (April–July), bringing together a total of 30 entrepreneurs. The first cohort will include 25 aspiring and registered entrepreneurs, selected through a competitive process involving application screening and interviews, with 8 participants progressing to the post-incubation phase.
In parallel, a dedicated cohort for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities (EwD) will be introduced as a step toward greater inclusion. In collaboration with the National Federation of the Disabled-Nepal (NFD-N), five EwD participants will be selected through a targeted outreach process, with one entrepreneur advancing to post-incubation.
The incubation journey is designed to be hands-on and practical. Across both cohorts, participants will engage in seven masterclasses delivered over four months, covering key areas such as Human Centered Design (HCD), Business Model Canvas, financial management and feasibility planning, marketing and branding, legal and compliance, and business roadmap development.
This initiative marks an important step for Impact Hub Kathmandu, not only in making the program more accessible and inclusive, but also as a learning opportunity to better understand and support Entrepreneurs with Disabilities in building and scaling businesses within the RU sector.
From Ideas to Action
Building on the structure outlined above, both cohorts will progress through the incubation journey with a clear pathway toward post incubation. By the end of the program, all participants will have developed a strong business brief and pitch deck to present at Demo Day.
From the first cohort, eight ventures will be selected to advance, while one entrepreneur from the EwD cohort will also move forward, bringing the total number of selected ventures to nine across both cohorts. These selected entrepreneurs will receive post incubation and equipment support to help translate their ideas into operational businesses.
Tailored Support Throughout the Journey
In addition to group learning sessions, entrepreneurs will receive one on one coaching in business, technical, and financial areas. This personalized support helps participants address specific challenges, refine their ideas, and move forward with greater confidence.
Looking Ahead
As we begin this new cycle, we’re looking forward to fostering collaboration, innovation, and growth among this year’s cohort. Through continued support and learning, the program aims to nurture a new generation of recycling and upcycling entrepreneurs in Pokhara Metropolitan City.
Ultimately, this initiative contributes to more than just business development, it helps create green jobs, strengthen local circular economies, reduce waste, and build a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem where diverse innovators can thrive.
