20 young IT graduates work on software to connect local entrepreneurs with investors

Online Khabar

Kathmandu, December 9. Twenty young IT graduates from across the country have work with local entrepreneurs in Parbat on a software application that will connect them with investors.

The event was part if UNDP Nepal’s collaboration with Microsoft Innovation Center Nepal, and coincides with the launched the Idea Factory project from Parbat.

The Idea Factory, funded by UNDP Innovation Facility, Bangkok, is developing an information and knowledge platform to facilitate local enterprise development by creating online super store, business idea bank connecting local entrepreneurs with investors through technology in the form of a software-based application.

“This is an innovative initiative to connect the rural micro entrepreneurs with the help of technology to a larger market so as to help expand their business potential,” said UNDP Country Director during the launching event in Kushma, Parbat.

Besides showcasing the best products of the micro entrepreneurs, the application will also feature an “idea store” which anyone can browse through and explore partnerships and investment opportunities.

“It is an effort to provide the barefoot entrepreneurs a platform to market their products to the potential buyers and also share and learn new ideas,” said Microsoft Country Director Allen Bilochan Tuladhar. “This will maximise the income for the entrepreneurs and minimise the influence of the middlemen.”

“We have been producing quality products but we are unable to find good market and I hope with the help of this online system, we will have better bargaining power,” said Tikaram Timilsena, an orange farmer in Patichaur, Parbat, who participated in the software testing session.

“This application is an effort to leverage technology for the benefit of the small entrepreneurs,” said Kamal Raj Sigdel from UNDP who leads the project. “We hope to facilitate buying and selling of both ideas and products through this application, which will be run by a physical Idea Factory office in Parbat. ”