The Startup Network Nepal holds AI hackathon 2026 at Embark College

LALITPUR: The Startup Network Nepal held the AI Hackathon 2026 at Embark College, Lalitpur, on March 15 and 16.

Organised in collaboration with Oorja World, the event brought together students, developers, researchers and early‑stage founders from across Nepal for a 24-hour innovation sprint.

Multidisciplinary teams worked on practical artificial intelligence solutions targeting sectors including energy, healthcare and public services. Participants received mentorship from industry experts and access to cloud‑based AI tools while tackling real‑world problems aligned with Nepal’s emerging AI and innovation ecosystem.

The programme included keynote sessions and panel discussions featuring leaders from Visa, Tata Power and Meta, among others, who offered insights on AI, innovation and digital transformation. Organisers said the mix of hands‑on development and strategic guidance helped teams refine ideas with potential for scale.

After final pitches and demo rounds, NagarikAPP was named the overall winner for an AI‑driven solution addressing challenges in the digital and public‑service space. Organisers said the victory positions NagarikAPP as a standout innovator, feeding into the broader conversation at AI Summit 2026, scheduled for March 5, 2026.

Organisers described the hackathon as an example of how focused, time‑bound innovation programmes can activate young talent and strengthen collaboration between start‑ups, corporations and academia while generating AI solutions tailored to Nepal’s context.