One to Watch has entered into a partnership with True North Associates, an investment management company also based in Nepal. Through this partnership we aim to accelerate access to finance for innovative companies in Nepal by building a venture capital fund in the country for early-stage growth companies.

Access to Finance
As Nepal’s pioneering investment management company One to Watch is once again leading the way in improving access to finance in Nepal. In a move to realize a 20 million euro venture capital fund, we have collaborated with True North Associates. One to Watch launched this 20 million euro fund – Nepal Impact Investment Community 2 (NIIC 2) after the successful implementation of our pioneer fund NIIC 1. With this partnership, we aim to develop the entrepreneurial ecosystem  of Nepal through investments and business support to entrepreneurs. This collaboration will help Nepalese SMEs grow by promoting international and local co-investments. Providing access to finance, and enabling companies to grow is a vital requirement for the economic development of the country.

Building Expertise
The partnership between One to Watch Nepal (OTW) and True North Associates (TNA) brings together experience and expertise. TNA has acquired a substantial share in OTW, the SME portfolios of both companies will be combined and TNA-Chairman Suman Joshi will take up the role of Managing Director at OTW. Joshi, who founded TNA in 2014 after 24 years in the banking industry including 12 years at Standard Chartered Bank in Nepal, will focus on expanding the SME portfolio. Joshi believes that “SMEs in Nepal have high impact potential but need help scaling up”. The arrival of Joshi strengthens our team tremendously as the former banker brings in extensive investment management expertise, vast experience and a large network.

Expanding Services
Joshi will share his responsibilities as Managing Director with OTW-Founder Willem Grimminck, who remains the majority shareholder, and stays on as the Chairman and Managing Director. Grimminck, a Dutch national who has been living in Kathmandu for six years, will focus increasingly on raising funds, fund management and business development. “We want to go beyond finance in our support to Nepalese companies,” says Grimminck. “By expanding our service and support to our portfolio companies we intend to accelerate their growth.”