What does “being legally compliant” really mean for a small or medium enterprise in Nepal? On November 14, 2025, founders, executives, and operations leads gathered for the NIIC 2 Masterclass: “A Founder’s Guide to Contracts, Compliance, and Governance.”

Facilitated by Diksha Kandel from Vidhi Legal Concern, the session broke down legal concepts into simple, practical guidance, helping SMEs understand how to stay compliant, avoid risks, and build stronger internal systems.

Legal compliance often feels intimidating, filled with dense laws and unfamiliar terminology. But as the trainer emphasized, it is ultimately about creating transparency, protecting the business, and enabling long-term growth.

Through real examples, simplified frameworks, and interactive discussions, the session addressed common questions:

• Which compliance duties under Nepal’s Companies Act matter most for SMEs?
• What should a founder look for in a vendor, supplier, or employment contract?
• How can governance and record-keeping prevent disputes before they happen?
• What legal pitfalls do SMEs most often overlook?

The workshop blended business context with practical demonstrations:

• Orientation & Context: Why compliance supports growth, trust, and credibility.
• Contracts 101: Essential clauses, negotiation basics, and red flags to avoid.
• Governance Structures: How to maintain clean records and decision-making processes.
• Risk Prevention: Steps SMEs can take early to reduce legal exposure.
• Documentation & Filing: Annual requirements under Nepali law made simple.
• Action Plan: Tools, checklists, and examples founders can start using immediately.

For many attendees, this was their first time seeing legal processes broken into digestible, actionable insights. What could have been a formal legal lecture instead became an engaging space where founders asked real-case questions, debated contract scenarios, and explored best practices for building legally sound companies.

This expert-led workshop was part of NIIC 2’s ongoing commitment to strengthening SME resilience through practical, high-impact learning.

NIIC 2 is supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by One to Watch.