Aadhyanta accelerator programme concludes with 'Investor’s Meet: Demo Day' in Koshi
KATHMANDU: Aadhyanta Fund Management, in partnership with the Nepal Agricultural Market Development Programme (NAMDP) Phase II—known as Sahaj—concluded the second cohort of the Aadhyanta Accelerator Programme, Koshi Chapter, with a successful ‘Investor’s Meet: Demo Day’ held on March 18, 2025, in Biratnagar, Morang. The event was funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and implemented by Swisscontact, in collaboration with CEAPRED.
The programme, lasting six months, was designed to equip small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Koshi Province with the tools required for investment readiness. By connecting businesses with potential investors, the initiative further strengthened the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The cohort, jointly funded by Aadhyanta Fund Management and Sahaj, was targeted at businesses in agriculture, tourism, and Information Communication Technology sectors operating in Koshi Province. From a pool of 169 applicants, 24 businesses were selected for the bootcamp phase. Following rigorous training, 18 businesses remained in the cohort, receiving intensive support in areas such as financial management, business model optimisation, marketing, operational improvements, and investor readiness.
During the Demo Day, six high-growth potential enterprises pitched their business ideas to private equity and venture capital investors, as well as banks. These enterprises included Himalayan White Drop Dairy, B and B Breeding, Pratham IT, Bright Feed, Nepalirika Hotel, and Gorkha Tea Estate.
The event also featured the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between DV Excellus and Jaypati Krishi Firm. The agreement facilitates collateral-free loans of up to Rs 200,000 through Nepal Merchant Bank (NMB) for smallholder farmers, enabling the purchase of cows. This initiative aims to benefit 100 farmers under the Kamdhenu cooperative, improving their livelihoods.
The Demo Day was chaired by Manoj Poudel, Founder of Aadhyanta Fund Management, and attended by several key figures.
Ram Bahadur Magar, Minister of Economic Affairs and Planning for Koshi Province, highlighted government support for local enterprises and previewed the upcoming Investment Summit, which will feature approximately 50 businesses seeking investment. Likewise, Khagen Singh Hangam, Minister of Industry, Agriculture, and Cooperatives, emphasised the importance of showcasing Nepali products in global markets.
Other notable speakers included Reema Shrestha, Team Leader at Sahaj; Rajendra Raut, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Koshi Province; Aarati Rajya Laxmi Rana, Chief Business Officer at Laxmi Sunrise Bank; and Minraj Pokharel, Deputy General Manager at Agriculture Development Bank.
Representatives from FNCCI Koshi Province, NYEF Biratnagar, and Upaya Business Solutions were also present, alongside participants from NIMB Ace Capital, Team Ventures, and Alpha Plus Ventures. Their collective efforts have played a critical role in fostering Koshi Province’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Investor’s Meet marked a key milestone in Aadhyanta Fund Management's mission to drive business growth in Koshi Province. By providing a platform for investment-ready businesses, the initiative has expanded opportunities for economic growth, business expansion, and job creation in the region.
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