Online nominations open for 10th ICT Award in Nepal

KATHMANDU: Online nominations for the 10th edition of the ICT Award opened on July 17, with entries accepted in 15 categories via the award’s official website. Nominations will remain open until August 16.

Organised annually by Living with ICT since 2016, the ICT Award is widely regarded as Nepal’s premier accolade in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector.

The award recognises achievements by technology-sector startups, product innovations and digital-transformation initiatives undertaken by public and private institutions, and honours individuals whose contributions have advanced the ICT field.

This year’s competition comprises four category groups. Category A includes the Startup ICT Award, Product ICT Award, Rising Star Innovation ICT Award and Social Innovation ICT Award. Category B covers the Pioneer ICT Award, Professional Excellence ICT Award, Entrepreneurs ICT Award, Women Icon ICT Award and Nepali Diaspora ICT Award. Category C evaluates institutional efforts via the Digital Governance ICT Award, Digital Education ICT Award (public and private sectors) and Digital Services ICT Award (enterprise and neo sectors). Category D, the South Asia Startup ICT Award, is open to startups up to five years old from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, the Maldives, Afghanistan and Nepal.

Nominations may be submitted by candidates themselves or via third-party recommendation. Each entry will undergo at least five selection stages, overseen by a panel of 20 expert jurors and guided by an advisory committee of more than a dozen senior figures from government and industry.

After six months of preparation, a Grand Finale is scheduled for the third week of December. The event will feature over 25 selection meetings, a series of pre-events and a televised awards ceremony.

The ICT Award has also expanded internationally through its South Asia Startup Award and partnerships with contests such as the World Summit Awards. Provincial ICT Startup Recognition, a Startup Fest, a hackathon and a television showcase will highlight innovations from all seven provinces.