On October 25, 2024, One to Watch hosted the NIIC 2 Fund Partnership Launch Event at Hotel Vivanta, Jhamsikhel, celebrating new collaborations with the Nepal Association for Software and IT Service Companies (NAS-IT) and the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Nepal. With 55 participants from 37 organizations, the event focused on accelerating growth for Nepal’s tech SMEs through the NIIC 2 Fund.

Keynote speakers from USAID and SDC highlighted the transformative potential of partnerships in driving sustainable growth, setting the stage for the panel discussion, "Collaborating for Impact: Leveraging Partnerships to Accelerate Tech SME Growth."

Panel Highlights:

• Ms. Isha Balla (Khaanpin): Discussed the challenges of scaling due to limited digital infrastructure and high logistics costs, advocating for global partnerships to enhance service quality.
• Mr. Ritesh Lamichhane (Global IME Bank): Emphasized the need for regulatory updates to include alternative collaterals like intellectual property, praising NIIC 2’s risk-reducing approach for lenders.
• Mr. Gaurav Raj Pandey (EKbana Solutions): Highlighted the challenge of balancing international profitability with domestic projects, stressing the importance of growing Nepal’s local tech talent pool.
• Ms. Mona Nyachhyon (Monal Tech): Focused on the growing need for affordable cybersecurity measures, critical for SMEs’ international expansion in the face of rising data security concerns.

Following the panel, Mr. Kailash Bijayananda Vice-Chairperson at AmCham Nepal reaffirmed AmCham's commitment to improving Nepal's investment climate through policy reforms. Ms. Alisha Shrestha Executive Member of NAS-IT stressed the importance of connecting Nepal’s IT industry to global opportunities and advancing skill development.

Mr. Jason Seuc, Economic Growth Office Director at USAID Nepal highlighted USAID’s support for the NIIC 2 Fund, particularly its funding of a preliminary study to foster sustainable, tech-driven growth in Nepal. Ms. Subrina Shrestha Economic Affairs Officer at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) emphasized the importance of post-loan Business Development Services (BDS) for building long-term sustainability and growth.

Mr. Suman Joshi Managing Director at One to Watch closed the event by thanking attendees and partners, underscoring the importance of collaboration in advancing Nepal’s tech ecosystem.

The event concluded with a high tea and networking session, encouraging further collaboration and dialogue. The NIIC 2 Fund is supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC and implemented by One to Watch. The Partnership Launch Event was co-supported by The United States Agency for International Development (USAID).