The ICT Startup and Innovation Fest 2021 has been successfully concluded in the premises of Presidential Business School, Anamnagar, Kathmandu on 16 Ashoj 2078 (2 October 2021). It aimed at encouraging Nepali youths towards innovation in the home nation. And with that, the event witnessed startups, products, and rising star innovations from the ICT Award 2021 edition.
The nominations for the 6th edition of the ICT Award 2021 were opened on 22 June and ended on 31 August. The grand finale is slated to be held on 17 December at the Soaltee Hotel, Kathmandu.
A total of 10 participants selected from the Startup ICT Award, Product ICT Award, and Rising Star Innovation ICT Award categories showcased their respective products and innovations. With over 40 stalls belonging to startups and innovations, it witnessed notable personalities, not to mention over two thousand observers.
Projects akin to the blockchain, big data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) were major highlights. Participants could even vote for their favorite product(s) as well as the startup(s) via a digital voting system.
Last Saturday, a mentoring session was also held featuring the Co-founder of Nepal Entrepreneurs Hub, Mr. Suman Shakya, Founder of Hamro Patro, Mr. Shankar Upreti, and Director of Apply Jobs, Mr. Rajendra Giri as mentors.
The award jury committee has already announced the top 10 names in Startup ICT Award and top 11 names in the Rising Star Innovation and Product ICT Award each.
The top 10 names in the Startup ICT Award include Bugv Software Technology Pvt. Ltd., Dulwa Expenditure, Hamro Life Bank, House of Books Pvt. Ltd., Kalki IoT Solution Pvt. Ltd., Kheti Ventures Pvt. Ltd., Nirman Sathi Techovation Pvt. Ltd., Puryau Service Pvt. Ltd., Sajilo Trip Pvt. Ltd., and UG Bazaar Pvt. Ltd.
Similarly, the top 11 names in the Rising Innovation ICT Award include AgriClear, Askmattrab, Disease Prediction in Maize Plant, En Sat, IoT-based Economical Air Purifier, Medicos International, Mushur, Open Past Paper, PK Agro Blockchain, and Rent Bike.
On the other hand, the top 11 names in the Product ICT Award include Baato, Bugv, IMS Distribution Management Pvt. Ltd., Kheti Food App, and Kheti Farm App, Mikha, NIC Asia iServe, Pantsat, Raahat, Saayak, Smart Wealth Pro, and UG Bazaar Pvt. Ltd.
The top 10 names are eligible to participate in the ICT Startup and Innovation Fest. While 5 will be eliminated to select the top 5 via Presentation and Speed Dating Session, 1 out of the top 5 will be selected via public voting and field visits. Similar selections will be carried out in different phases for the other 8 categories such as Pioneer ICT Award, Nepali Diaspora ICT Award, Entrepreneur ICT Award, Women Icon ICT Award, Digital Governance ICT Award, Digital Services ICT Award, and Digital Education ICT Award Public and Private sector.
The ICT Award 2021 winners will be honored and awarded a loan of NPR 15 lakh from Rastriya Banijya Bank without any collateral together with investment, services, and facilities. Also, Huawei pledges to provide essential service(s) worth NPR 3 lakh to the winner of the Startup ICT Award category.
