IN-SPAN Centre of Excellence launched to build Nepal-India startup bridge
Synopsis
Twenty-four Nepali entrepreneurs went to Chennai for eight weeks — nine came back with incubation and investment offers from IIT Madras. Now they have built a permanent institution to make that pipeline last, with a three-year roadmap targeting 500 entrepreneurs a year and a biannual bilateral startup conclave.
Key Takeaways
The IN-SPAN Centre of Excellence has been formally established in Kathmandu to sustain Nepal-India startup collaboration.
24 Nepali entrepreneurs completed an eight-week programme at IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation in Chennai from December 2024 to January 2025 .
Nine Nepali startups received incubation and investment offers from the IIT Madras Incubation Cell after Cohort 1.
A nine-member executive board for 2026–2029 has been constituted, headed by President Asim Shrestha .
The Centre's roadmap targets 25 startups incubated and 500 entrepreneurs trained annually, plus a biannual 'Startup Sambad' conclave.
The second cohort of 25 Nepali startups began its fully funded programme at IIT Madras on 1 June 2025 .
The IN-SPAN Centre of Excellence has been formally established in Kathmandu to create a self-sustaining bilateral startup ecosystem connecting Nepal and India, following the success of the India-Nepal Startup Partnership Network (IN-SPAN) programme that sent 24 Nepali entrepreneurs to IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation in Chennai for an eight-week immersion from December 2024 to January 2025. The Centre marks a significant step in institutionalising cross-border innovation ties between the two neighbours.
How IN-SPAN Began
The original programme was launched as a joint initiative of the Embassy of India in Kathmandu and IITM Pravartak, selecting participants through a competitive process. The 24 entrepreneurs attended workshops, interacted with chief executives and senior executives of Indian startups, and completed specialised training modules in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and solar photovoltaics. They also undertook internships at Indian startups during the programme.
Tangible Outcomes from Cohort One
The first cohort produced measurable results: nine Nepali startups received incubation and investment offers from the IIT Madras Incubation Cell, one of India's leading deep-tech incubators, according to the Indian Embassy. Participants returned to Nepal with both technical skills and active institutional linkages — a combination that prompted them to formalise their momentum into a permanent body.
The IN-SPAN Centre of Excellence: Structure and Leadership
The newly established Centre has constituted a nine-member executive board for the 2026–2029 term. Asim Shrestha serves as President, with Prabin Bhattarai as Vice-President, Shreeyanch Shrestha as General Secretary, Hrithik Babu Shrestha as Joint Secretary, and Pradeep Giri as Treasurer. Mohan Tamang, Vishnu Kumar Agrawal, Nikesh Singh, and Sunil K.C. have been elected as executive members, according to a press statement issued by the organisation.
Three-Year Roadmap: 2026–2029
The Centre has approved a five-point roadmap for its inaugural term. It plans to establish a flagship incubation centre in Kathmandu to support 25 startups annually, run founder training programmes for around 500 entrepreneurs each year, and organise monthly town hall interactions with industry leaders from both countries. A dedicated startup helpline will offer real-time guidance to entrepreneurs, and a biannual 'Startup Sambad' conclave will bring together founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders from Nepal and India.
The Centre also plans to deepen its institutional collaboration with IITM Pravartak to accelerate technical, academic, and industry partnerships. Its first public engagement — a Startup Town Hall at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu — is scheduled for the last week of July 2025.
Second Cohort Already Under Way
The momentum has carried forward: the second cohort of the IN-SPAN programme commenced on 1 June 2025, with 25 Nepali startups participating in a fully funded eight-week entrepreneurship, training, and innovation programme at IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation in Chennai, according to the Indian Embassy. The expanded cohort size signals growing institutional confidence in the programme's model.
Point of View
They returned with the intent to build infrastructure. The deeper signal here is strategic: India is embedding itself in Nepal's innovation layer at the founder level, not just the diplomatic one. Whether the Centre can sustain momentum beyond its first public town hall will depend on whether the incubation pipeline from IIT Madras translates into funded, scaling companies — not just training certificates. The jump from 24 to 25 participants in Cohort 2 is modest; the real test is whether the 500-entrepreneurs-a-year training target attracts quality over volume.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IN-SPAN Centre of Excellence?
The IN-SPAN Centre of Excellence is a permanent institution established in Kathmandu by alumni of the India-Nepal Startup Partnership Network (IN-SPAN) programme to build a self-sustaining bilateral startup ecosystem between Nepal and India. It was formed after 24 Nepali entrepreneurs completed an eight-week programme at IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation in Chennai.
What is the India-Nepal Startup Partnership Network (IN-SPAN)?
IN-SPAN is a joint initiative of the Embassy of India in Kathmandu and IITM Pravartak that selects Nepali entrepreneurs through a competitive process and sends them to IIT Madras in Chennai for an eight-week, fully funded programme covering AI, semiconductors, solar photovoltaics, and startup internships. Nine startups from the first cohort received incubation and investment offers from the IIT Madras Incubation Cell.
Who leads the IN-SPAN Centre of Excellence?
The Centre is governed by a nine-member executive board for the 2026–2029 term, headed by President Asim Shrestha. Prabin Bhattarai serves as Vice-President, Shreeyanch Shrestha as General Secretary, Hrithik Babu Shrestha as Joint Secretary, and Pradeep Giri as Treasurer.
What are the Centre's plans for the next three years?
The IN-SPAN Centre of Excellence has approved a five-point roadmap for 2026–2029 that includes establishing a flagship incubation centre in Kathmandu to support 25 startups annually, training around 500 entrepreneurs each year, hosting monthly town halls with industry leaders, launching a startup helpline, and organising a biannual 'Startup Sambad' conclave for founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders from Nepal and India.
What is the status of the second IN-SPAN cohort?
The second cohort of the IN-SPAN programme began on 1 June 2025, with 25 Nepali startups enrolled in a fully funded eight-week entrepreneurship, training, and innovation programme at IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation in Chennai, according to the Indian Embassy.
