A Celebration of Entrepreneurial Spirit
The Recycling and Upcycling (RU) Business Incubation and Startup Support Mobilisation Program held its much-anticipated Demo Day on October 15. This inspiring event featured 13 incubatees who showcased their innovative business ideas and prototypes developed through weeks of rigorous mentorship and training.
Opening Remarks: Entrepreneurship Fuels Local Growth
The event kicked off with Opening Remarks by Mukti Ram Aryal, Chief Administrative Officer of Pokhara Metropolitan City (PMC). Mukti Ram Aryal highlighted entrepreneurship’s critical role in promoting local economic development and sustainable progress, setting an encouraging tone for the event.
A Journey of Growth: Insights from Impact Hub Kathmandu
Padmakshi Rana, Executive Director of Impact Hub Kathmandu (IH KTM), then presented an overview of the program’s enriching journey. She outlined the comprehensive mentorship, coaching, and invaluable support incubatees received; equipping them to refine their ideas, develop prototypes, and craft market viable strategies.
The Pitch: Innovation Meets Expertise
The companies participating in the program are working on ideas across a wide spectrum of waste sectors- from textiles, plastics, metals to glass and organic wastes. Their creative ventures go beyond traditional waste management, aiming to transform discarded materials into valuable resources, and drive Nepal’s circular economy forward. Each company presented their unique Recycling and Upcycling concept within 10 focused minutes – 6 minutes to pitch their business and 4 minutes for an engaging Q&A with the jury.
The specific business ideas presented by the companies included:
- Amrit Bahadur Karki’s “Waste to Art” project envisions transforming durable waste into unique sculptures and furniture, fostering both creativity and environmental awareness.
- Chillionaire Production aims to blend art with recycling through community-based installations and educational outreach, inspiring sustainable change.
- Fully Charged Nepal is developing systems to repurpose used EV batteries into solar backup power solutions, advancing renewable energy solutions.
- Green Road Waste Management, renowned for pioneering plastic roads in Nepal, plans to expand by recycling broken glass into construction materials, promoting sustainable infrastructure.
- HattiHatti Nepal envisions scaling up their upcycling of fabrics by recycling waste fabrics into threads and new textiles, enhancing circular production.
- Jumli Cafe proposes utilizing coffee organic waste to create value-added products like flower pots and charcoal, supporting sustainability in Pokhara’s coffee sector.
- Kagaz Ghar is working to craft handmade paper from discarded books and papers, empowering local artisans while reducing waste.
- Koyashtik Paudel plans to upcycle used cooking oil into soaps, providing sustainable hygiene alternatives.
- Sanskar Fiber Udyog aims to convert PET bottles into polyester fiber used in quilts and pillows, reducing plastic pollution.
- Sukhawati Store is set on recycling donated, unusable textiles into new fabric products aligned with zero-waste efforts.
- Sustainepal Enterprises focuses on producing pellets and recycled plastic bags from low-value plastics, with strategies for expansion into other waste streams.
- Unity Eco Village plans to establish a recycling station to foster RU activities while promoting eco-tourism and organic farming initiatives.
- We For Nature is designing denim slippers from textile waste, offering fashionable and sustainable footwear while empowering women artisans.
Together, these companies embody the spirit of circular innovation, leveraging the incubation program to transition concepts into impactful, market-ready solutions targeting the transformation of waste management practices in Pokhara Metropolitan City, while contributing to the country’s overall circular economy goals.
The panel of jury rigorously evaluated each business idea based on creativity, feasibility, impact potential, and scalability.
Supporting the Future: Equipment Grants, Certificates, and Token of Appreciation
Following intense deliberation, the jury selected six outstanding incubatees to receive post-incubation equipment support, a significant boost to help scale their ventures from prototype to market-ready products. The six selected companies are:
- Chillionaire Production
- Fully Charged Nepal
- Green Road Waste Management
- HattiHatti Nepal
- Kagaz Ghar
- Sanskar Fiber Udhyog
These companies were also honored with Certificates of Achievement by Nabaraj Adhikari, Head of Business Promotion Center in PMC, celebrating their outstanding potential.
All participants received Certificates of Completion, presented by Netra Prasad Timilsena, Engineer and GCRU Project Focal Person at PMC, in recognition of their dedication and enthusiasm throughout the program. Additionally, Impact Hub Kathmandu presented tokens of appreciation to the jury panel and UNDP representatives, acknowledging their support and partnership in advancing sustainable entrepreneurship.
Engaging the Community: Gallery Walk and Beyond
Attendees had the chance to experience the incubatees’ innovations firsthand during an interactive gallery walk. This vibrant exchange energized conversations around sustainability, entrepreneurship, and community-driven economic development.
Impact Hub Kathmandu and UNDP’s Commitment to Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Impact Hub Kathmandu proudly hosted the event as a part of the Recycling and Upcycling Business Incubation and Startup Support Mobilisation Program, which functions under the framework of the UNDP Green Job Creation through Recycling and Upcycling (GCRU) initiative. Impact Hub Kathmandu and UNDP jointly promote a circular economy, foster green job creation, and support poverty reduction through sustainable business models.
Looking Ahead: A Beacon for Green Innovation in Nepal
Demo Day showcased how collaboration among local government, development agencies, and entrepreneurs can spark transformative change. With continued equipment support and mentorship, these startups are positioned to strengthen Pokhara’s economic resilience and promote ecological stewardship, inspiring a new generation of green innovators across Nepal.
The RU Business Incubation Program stands as a shining example of how nurturing talent and ideas can create thriving, sustainable businesses that benefit communities and the environment alike.
