From 26th to 28th November 2025, the NIIC 2 team visited Bhairahawa and Butwal for a focused three-day field engagement that included partner bank meetings, site visits to cohort companies, and two Open House sessions with regional entrepreneur networks.

The visit marked an important milestone in strengthening NIIC 2’s presence in the Lumbini Province while deepening collaboration with local financial institutions, entrepreneurs, and innovation-driven businesses.

Meetings with Local Bank Branches

During the visit, the NIIC 2 team met with local branch teams of partner banks in Bhairahawa and Butwal. Discussions focused on NIIC 2’s approach to supporting SMEs, the role of blended finance and technical assistance, and opportunities to strengthen collaboration at the branch level.

These interactions reinforced a shared commitment to enabling high-potential local businesses to access finance, advisory support, and long-term growth pathways.

Site Visit: Tuni Agro (IoT Mushroom Farm)

A key highlight of the visit was the site visit to Tuni Agro, an NIIC 2 cohort company operating an IoT-enabled mushroom farm. The team observed on-ground progress, interacted with the founders and staff, and discussed how technology is being used to improve productivity, monitoring, and scalability in modern agriculture.

The visit provided valuable insights into how tech-enabled agribusinesses are driving innovation in the region and how NIIC 2’s support can be aligned with their next phase of growth.

Open House Sessions: Engaging the Entrepreneurial Community

NIIC 2 hosted two Open House sessions during the visit with members from CNIYEF Lumbini Chapter and NYEF Rupandehi.

Both sessions brought together entrepreneurs, SME founders, and ecosystem stakeholders from Bhairahawa, Butwal, and surrounding areas. Participants learned about NIIC 2’s offerings, eligibility criteria, and support mechanisms, while also engaging in open dialogue about regional business challenges and opportunities.

The sessions fostered strong interaction, peer learning, and connections between local entrepreneurs and the NIIC 2 team, further strengthening the regional innovation ecosystem.

Looking Ahead

The Bhairahawa and Butwal visit highlighted the growing momentum of entrepreneurship and innovation in Lumbini Province. With active engagement from partner banks, promising cohort companies, and strong collaboration with CNIYEF and NYEF chapters, NIIC 2 looks forward to continuing its work in supporting scalable, impact-driven businesses across the region.