'DL Upload' announced as winner at NYEF Startup Awards 4.0; secures Rs 400,000

KATHMANDU: The Nepalese Young Entrepreneurs’ Forum (NYEF) successfully concluded the fourth edition of the NYEF Startup Awards, celebrating innovation and entrepreneurial excellence.

The prestigious event, held at the Hyatt Regency Kathmandu on Friday showcased groundbreaking ideas from Nepal’s most promising startups, inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs. Over 150 distinguished guests from various sectors atted the event organised to honour Nepal’s top entrepreneurial talents.

The event was graced by National Planning Commission (NPC) Vice-Chairman Shiva Raj Adhikari as Chief Guest, and Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) President Chandra Prasad Dhakal as Special Guest.

Speaking at the event, FNCCI President Dhakal expressed his strong support for startups, underscoring their role in driving economic growth and innovation in Nepal.

NPC Vice-Chairman Adhikari highlighted the need for policies that foster an environment conducive to the growth of startups.

NYEF Kathmandu Chapter President Abhimanyu Golchha led the event with visionary leadership, ensuring that the NYEF Startup Awards 4.0 received widespread acclaim as an inspiring platform for innovation and entrepreneurship.

The Global IME Bank Presents NYEF Startup Awards 4.0 featured seven finalists — DL Upload, Melt Down, Khetipati Organics, Gyan Bazaar, E-Kagajpatra, Mach 20 Orbitals and Smartpalika — who pitched their unique and impactful business ideas to a panel of distinguished judges, industry experts, and an engaged audience. The competition was fierce, with startups demonstrating innovative solutions to real-world problems across various sectors.

DL Upload emerged as the winner, impressing the jury with its cutting-edge cloud-based file management platform. The platform offers secure, efficient, and scalable solutions for individuals and businesses. This innovation and growth potential earned DL Upload the grand prize of Rs 400,000.

Likewise, the first runner-up, Meltdown, captivated the audience with its creative concept of offering customisable corporate wellness programmes for employees. Their vision to promote technology-enabled fitness secured them the second prize of Rs 200,000.

Khetipati Organics won the People’s Choice Award, with a mission to empower local farmers and promote organic farming practices. This startup won the hearts of the audience and received a cash prize of Rs 100,000.

The event was made possible through the generous support of its Title Sponsor, Global IME Bank, along with other partners.

The NYEF Startup Awards continues to serve as a vital platform for identifying and honouring Nepal’s most promising startups, paving the way for their success in both national and global markets.

The NYEF Kathmandu Chapter congratulated all participants and winners and reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nepal.