YI-Lab hosts Open House and Entrepreneurship Haat Bazar in Kathmandu

KATHMANDU: Youth Innovation Lab (YI-Lab) organised an Open House and Entrepreneurship Haat Bazar at its Baluwatar office to mark World Entrepreneurs' Day. The event attracted around 100 visitors and aimed to connect early-stage youth entrepreneurs, technology enthusiasts, students and innovators working on social challenges.

The interactive event moved away from a traditional exhibition format and gave youth entrepreneurs a platform to exhibit products and services free of charge. Startups and enterprises, including Anjana Basnet's handicrafts, Poshilo Foods and Mad Honey, together with several coffee and beverage stalls, used the stalls to gather consumer feedback, share production journeys and discuss market challenges.

A major feature of the gathering was a live demonstration of data-driven solutions and technologies developed by the laboratory's technical team. Visitors observed geographical information systems, interactive maps and digital platforms, and the team showcased artificial intelligence (AI) models currently in development, explaining their potential applications in data analysis, risk identification and environmental problem-solving.

Particular attention was given to the in-house heat sensor and air pollution sensor, designed to measure local urban challenges such as extreme heat and declining air quality. Attendees were shown how the sensors collect data to inform policy and community-level decisions, and were given details about the Heat AI initiative intended to mitigate extreme heat risks.

Beyond technological displays, the laboratory outlined upcoming opportunities for youth involvement, including entrepreneurship programmes from concept development to market validation, intensive bootcamps and hackathons focused on rapid solution design. Information was also provided on fellowship opportunities in disaster risk reduction, climate innovation, waste management and agricultural technology, as well as the European Union-supported Udaan project and the Tag Me initiative.

Pradip Khatiwada, Executive Director of YI-Lab, emphasised the need to create an environment that builds new possibilities. He said, "It is not enough to just say that there are no opportunities for the youth. We must also develop the belief and capacity regarding how opportunities and possibilities can be created. Bringing entrepreneurship, technology and innovation to a single place to show the youth their own potential and encourage them to experiment with new things is the objective of this programme."

Programme Director Goma Karki said the small-group setting enabled deep interaction. She said, "Our objective was not merely to gather a large crowd. Every participant who came here got to speak with the entrepreneurs at the stalls, observe the technology closely, understand the sensors and digital solutions, and acquire first-hand information regarding the opportunities they could participate in. Such deep interaction is a significant aspect of the Open House."

The organisation plans to continue utilising its office space as a collaborative platform linking youth, technology and enterprise.