NCC, Brihatpreneurs launch entrepreneur engagement programme to support Nepali startups

KATHMANDU: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) and Brihatpreneurs launched the Entrepreneur Engagement Programme on Friday to support Nepali startups from inception through to business expansion.

The initiative aimed to provide structured guidance, expert consultancy, investment links and market access to help new ventures achieve sustainable operation and growth. Organisers planned to extend the programme beyond Kathmandu to five major cities, targeting direct engagement with more than 300 entrepreneurs and contributing to the creation of over 1,000 jobs.

Uttam Jha, Advisor to the 9th CG Properties Land and Housing and Construction Expo, said the core driver of the collaboration is ensuring ventures remain sustainable and scalable. The formal announcement was made at an event held during the 9th Nepal Land and Housing and Construction Expo 2026 at Bhrikutimandap.

The scheme set out five primary pillars of support: an Execution Hub to convert business concepts into operational reality; an Experts Clinic offering specialist guidance in law, finance, investment and market management; and an Opportunity Access System to link entrepreneurs with potential partners and projects. It also brought together service providers such as law firms, chartered accountants, branding agencies and investment analysts into a single ecosystem, while helping local ventures expand into national and international markets.

Brihatpreneurs will operate as an urban lifestyle venture studio rather than a conventional incubator, basing its support model on operational clarity, structural foundation and strategic direction. Programme Manager Sudarshan Shiwakoti outlined the implementation pathway, which includes a Business Health Check-up to identify areas for operational improvement, followed by a two-day Business Growth Incubation session.

The scheme offers three membership tiers tailored to business maturity: Idea Phase, Growth Seekers and Scale Entrepreneur. Speakers at the launch noted that while commercial ideas and potential abound in Nepal, many founders face hurdles due to a lack of structural guidance, legal and financial advice, and direct market access. Expo Coordinator Roshan Bhoyadhyo highlighted opportunities in the construction, housing and real estate sectors for technology-driven ventures and new business concepts.

Addressing the event, Urmila Shrestha Pradhan, Vice President of the NCC and Chairperson of the Nepal Women Chamber, said entrepreneurship creates income opportunities and provides individuals with a base to work according to their plans and goals, adding that involving young people and women in enterprise is vital to generating employment and driving broader economic activity.

Purnima Rajbhandary, Executive Director and CEO of Brihat Investments, said timely guidance helps mitigate financial risks for new businesses and that combining the nationwide network of the NCC with Brihatpreneurs’ technical and advisory capacity creates a strong mechanism to connect entrepreneurs with commercial opportunities.

The expo concluded on Sunday.