From April 10 to 13, the NIIC 2 team was in Biratnagar, diving into the heart of Koshi Province’s entrepreneurial ecosystem to better understand the challenges and opportunities faced by local SMEs. The visit included meetings with banking leaders, site visits to partners, and concluded with a high-energy open house and networking session.

Through this engagement, the NIIC 2 team gathered valuable insights, developed on-the-ground context, and deepened its understanding of how the Fund can create meaningful impact—one SME at a time.

Partnering for Financial Access

A strategic meeting was held with Mr. Sulav Hari Joshi, Province Head of Global IME Bank – Koshi Province, and his team. Discussions centered on the role of technology in advancing SME growth, particularly its potential to enhance efficiency, transparency, and scalability. Special emphasis was placed on tech-driven solutions within agri-based industries, which are a vital part of the region’s economy.

There was strong alignment between the NIIC 2 Fund and Global IME Bank on the need to support SMEs focused on future-oriented, digital-first solutions. The engagement paved the way for collaborative efforts to identify and nurture such forward-thinking businesses across the bank’s provincial network.

Exploring Ecosystem Collaboration
The NIIC 2 team also visited Project UDAYA, a provincial initiative supporting SME development in partnership with the Government of Nepal. During the discussion with Mr. Bishnu Kafle and his team, attention was given to regional policy, existing ecosystem gaps, and potential areas where the NIIC 2 Fund could complement UDAYA’s efforts.

This exchange opened new pathways for collaboration and highlighted the importance of coordinated approaches in strengthening the enabling environment for entrepreneurship in Koshi Province. The team also visited the office of Project UDAYA: an initiative supporting SME development in partnership with the Government of Nepal’s Koshi Province.

Open House and Networking Session
The engagement in Biratnagar concluded with an Open House and Networking Session, held in partnership with the NYEF Biratnagar Chapter. Over 40 participants attended, including entrepreneurs, NYEF members, representatives from banks, and other ecosystem stakeholders.

The session introduced the NIIC 2 Fund’s mission, structure, and application process. Participants shared questions and perspectives around eligibility, support mechanisms, and the broader impact of catalytic capital. Local SMEs expressed a clear appetite for funding that not only fills financial gaps but also empowers purpose-driven growth.

What emerged from the Biratnagar visit was a picture of an ecosystem poised for progress. Stakeholders—from financial institutions to entrepreneurs and support organizations—demonstrated readiness to collaborate, evolve, and lead. There was a shared understanding that unlocking the potential of SMEs requires more than capital. It demands context, cooperation, and a commitment to impact-driven investment.

Through the NIIC 2 Fund, capital becomes a tool for shaping the future—enabling entrepreneurs to build solutions that go beyond today’s challenges and pave the way for a more inclusive and resilient economy.

The NIIC 2 fund is supported by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and implemented by One to Watch.