Kathmandu, July 18: U.S. Embassy Nepal on Friday celebrated seven young innovator teams that completed Code for Impact, a nationwide tech entrepreneurship initiative designed to help Nepal’s youth turn promising ideas into viable businesses.
The seven finalists presented ventures developed through six months of training, mentorship, customer research, and product testing.
The final pitches were judged by U.S. Embassy Nepal Public Affairs Chief Mike Harker; Shark Tank Nepal investors Anand Bagaria, Cabinet Shrestha, and Ritu Vaidya; and Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce Nepal, Amir Thapa.
Four national winners Aashirbad Care, Datahiti, Neptou and Synaptic each received a $1,000 seed grant, $5,000 in Amazon Web Services cloud credits, access to American AI platforms, and continued business and technical support.
Ncell contributed an additional NPR 1 million to support the four winning teams. The three other finalists each received $1,000 in Amazon Web Services credits and continued mentorship.
“Code for Impact reflects the United States’ commitment to helping Nepal’s next generation of innovators build businesses, create jobs, and solve real-world problems,” said Mike Harker, Public Affairs Chief at U.S. Embassy Nepal. “The program also expands the use of trusted American technologies and strengthens economic ties between the United States and Nepal.”
Sharing her excitement about the collaboration, Bishakha Lakshmi Khadka (Head of Corporate Communications, Marketing & Sustainability) at Ncell said, “at Ncell, we believe our role extends beyond connectivity; we are committed to enabling innovation that creates lasting impact.
We are delighted to partner with the U.S. Embassy, Aadyanta Advisory, and others to empower young innovators with the support they need to transform bold ideas into meaningful solutions.
Together, we aim to inspire greater investment in Nepal’s innovation ecosystem and help build the next generation of entrepreneurs”.
Launched in January 2026, Code for Impact received applications from 190 teams across Nepal. The program selected 35 teams for virtual boot camps, artificial intelligence labs, and provincial hackathons in all seven provinces.
Fourteen semifinalists then completed four months of tailored mentorship focused on customer validation, product development, cybersecurity, commercialization, and investment readiness.
Several finalist teams secured early customers, generated revenue, launched pilot projects, or began beta testing before the final showcase. Their ventures address challenges in elder care, cross-border payments, agriculture, health services, tourism, learning tools for children with developmental differences, and the digitization of handwritten Nepali Braille.
All participants gained experience with American technology platforms and startup practices, including artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, rapid experimentation, product-market fit, and investment preparation.
They also worked with founders, engineers, investors, and business leaders connected to U.S. technology and commercial networks.
Aadyanta Advisory implemented Code for Impact in cooperation with the American Chamber of Commerce in Nepal, SecurityPal AI, Fusemachines, Genese Solution, and other technology and business organizations.
All seven finalist teams will continue to receive mentorship, technical guidance, and introductions to potential investors, customers, and commercial contacts.
Code for Impact demonstrates how targeted U.S. support, American technology, and private-sector cooperation can help young Nepalis build businesses at home while creating new opportunities for trade, investment, and innovation between the United States and Nepal.
By equipping young Nepali entrepreneurs with American startup methodologies, technical expertise, and connections to U.S. technology and business networks, the program advances shared economic prosperity, reinforces U.S. leadership in innovation, and supports a more competitive, resilient, and digitally connected Nepal.
