November was truly an eventful month for Impact Hub Kathmandu (IHK). Taking the baton from Phnom Penh, which hosted last year, Kathmandu welcomed regional participants.
With a month of preparation for the APAC Regional Gathering, scheduled from November, 19–22 2024, and themed Innovate. Integrate. Thrive., we hosted nine Impact Hubs – Impact Hub Dhaka, Impact Hub Yangon, Impact Hub Phnom Penh , Impact Hub Jakarta , Impact Hub Waikato , Impact Hub Shanghai , Impact Hub Hyderabad and Impact Hub Chongqing, two community partners – The Spark Project and Temasek Shophouse, and our Network Development Director, Maria Trindade. In total, 19 changemakers from across the region joined us.
Welcome Ceremony- Shanti didi and Stephanie Arrowsmith.
The APAC Gathering kicked off on November 19 with the Newari ritual welcome by Shanti Didi, blending the rich culture of Kathmandu Valley with traditional music and an incredible feast. Following this warm introduction to Nepalese culture, our Executive Director, Padmakshi Rana, provided a brief overview of Impact Hub Kathmandu. Meanwhile, our Technical Lead, Pallab Shrestha, shared insights about the FabLab. Participants were then given an engaging tour of the FabLab, led by Senior Technical Officer Shashank Dewan. The day set the tone for a journey of connection, collaboration, and celebration.
Day 1: Our Ecosystem and Global Village
Day 1: Storytelling Session
The first day featured insightful presentations from Impact Hub Global (Maria Trindade) and the APAC Regional Team (Mackenzie King & Melanie Mossard), who shared fascinating data from member surveys and impact reports. A highlight of the day was the storytelling session in the garden, where Impact Hubs and partners shared their starting journey. Temasek Shophouse (Singapore) inspired us with its vision of a sustainable space for changemakers, while The Spark Project (Manila) showcased the empowering SHE (Spark Her Enterprise) program.
Day 2: Business Models – Local, Regional, and Global
Day 2: Net Zero Strategies (Hybrid Session)
Day two began with an energetic dance session to refresh our minds and set the tone for an inspiring day. Sessions included – Business Models Walk: Creativity took center stage as Impact Hubs showcased their unique approaches, Impact Hub Business Model Review: Participants explored community-driven, space-centric, and emerging business models, Net Zero Strategies (Hybrid Session): A discussion centered on actionable approaches to achieving net-zero goals, emphasizing sustainability and innovation. Changemakers from Shanghai, Yangon, Taipei, and Phnom Penh shared their impact stories. The day concluded with an Entrepreneur Marketplace, where our Roots of Circularity (RoC) incubatees showcased innovative circular economy solutions.
Day 2: Entrepreneur’s Market
Day 3: Strategies for an Impact-Driven Future
Day 3: DEI Strategies Discussion
The final day was focused on strategies for building an impact-driven future. Umesh Kumar Gupta, Executive Director of the Industrial Enterprise Development Institute (IEDI), had meaningful conversations with the participants and provided invaluable insights into Nepal’s startup ecosystem. The sessions included: DEI Strategies and Actions (Hybrid Session), Open Space Technology: Exploring Future Funding in APAC, Cluster Communication: Strengthening Connections Across the Network, Community Building Best Practices, and discussions on Local Government Policies.
Passing on the Baton for 2025!
The day ended with Ecosystem Night in collaboration with Youth Co:Lab co-led by UNDP and Citi Foundation, Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP), and ICIMOD . It was a vibrant space for innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to engage in meaningful conversations, idea-sharing, and networking. It highlighted how local innovations can inspire global impact, reinforcing the need for continued collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
Ecosystem Night with Youth Co:Lab co-led by UNDP and Citi Foundation, YECAP, and ICIMOD.
The 3.5 days of the Regional Gathering was more than just an event. As part of the organizing team, we take pride in hosting changemakers from across the region. The team was always ready and on standby, with Bisheshta Shrestha, Programs & GEDSI Lead, IHK, leading the organizing team with continuous support from the co-host for this regional gathering Stephanie Arrowsmith, Co-founder, Impact Hub Jakarta, Bikas Achhami, Finance and operations officer, IHK, expertly managing finances, and Romi Shrestha, Communications Officer, IHK serving as the focal point for all queries, logistics arrangements and overall communications.
IHK Team.
Hosting and organizing events has always been something I’ve deeply enjoyed, and working with this incredible team made the experience even more rewarding. This gathering provided an opportunity to work closely with the team, focusing on meticulous planning and the behind-the-scenes efforts required to ensure the proper execution of the event. It was indeed an eventful month, with back-to-back activities/events, but the APAC Gathering stands out as an amazing experience that I am genuinely proud to have been a part of as an organizer.
Tune into IHK official website for other ongoing events and projects.