Chennai, India – The Nepal–India Startup Conclave: Empowering Nepal’s Startup Frontier was successfully held in Chennai, bringing together a dynamic group of Nepalese entrepreneurs and Indian industry leaders to strengthen cross-border collaboration and accelerate Nepal’s innovation ecosystem. Organized by Play Learn Foundation | Indian Girls Code in association with Meritus.AI, the conclave served as a strategic platform for Nepalese startups from diverse industries to gain insights, mentorship, and global exposure.
The event welcomed startups representing technology, education, sustainability, manufacturing, healthcare, consumer solutions, and emerging digital ventures, highlighting the growing diversity and maturity of Nepal’s entrepreneurial landscape. The conclave aimed to equip founders with the knowledge and networks required to scale their ventures beyond national borders and compete in the global marketplace.
A key highlight of the conclave was the strategic address by Mr. Chinnikrishnan Ranganathan, Chairman and Managing Director of CavinKare, who shared practical insights on building and growing startups. He spoke about the importance of resilience, disciplined execution, and adapting to market realities—core elements that define successful entrepreneurial journeys. His address provided Nepalese founders with a roadmap for navigating early-stage challenges and preparing for sustainable growth.
The conclave also featured a high-impact panel discussion moderated by Ms. Aditi Prasad, with distinguished panelists Mr. Ramana Prasad, Founder of Meritus.AI, and Mr. Rajeev Mecheri, Serial Entrepreneur and Angel Investor. The panelists shared candid experiences from their own entrepreneurial journeys, offering valuable lessons on product–market fit, investor readiness, scaling strategies, and leadership. The interactive session allowed Nepalese startup founders to directly engage with industry experts, gaining clarity on how to strengthen their business models and prepare for global opportunities.
Organized under the trusteeship of Mr. Ramana Prasad and Ms. Amrit RamanaPrasad, the initiative was conceptualized as an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras alumni-led give-back to the South Asian startup ecosystem. The organizers also expressed their gratitude to IIT Madras and IIT Pravartak for their support in making the conclave a success and for encouraging deeper Indo–Nepal startup collaboration.
Speaking on the occasion, the organizers emphasized that the conclave is only the beginning of a long-term engagement to support Nepalese startups with mentorship, market access, and global exposure. Through this initiative, Play Learn Foundation and Meritus.AI reaffirmed their commitment to empowering Nepal’s next generation of entrepreneurs and positioning Nepal as a rising innovation hub in South Asia.
