Kathmandu: The Embassy of India in Kathmandu organized an Orientation Session to mark the upcoming launch of the India–Nepal Startup Partnership Network (IN-SPAN), set to begin in December 2025 at IIT Madras.
The first-ever IN-SPAN program aims to strengthen collaboration between the startup ecosystems of India and Nepal through an 8-week fully funded training and innovation program at IIT Madras, in partnership with IIT Madras Pravartak. The program will offer training, mentorship, and internship opportunities for selected Nepali startup representatives.
Radhika Aryal, Secretary at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, attended the event as Chief Guest and commended the initiative. Around 100 participants from startups, government agencies, business associations, and academic institutions attended the session at the Embassy, while another 60 participants joined virtually from Birgunj and the Institute of Engineering, Dharan Campus.
Prof. Gaurav Raina, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Chief Scientist at the Centre for Human Centric AI, IIT Madras, joined online and shared insights on IIT Madras’s innovation ecosystem. Earlier in the day, a similar session was held at the Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus, attended by about 70 students.
Applications for the IN-SPAN program are open until November 15, 2025, and interested entrepreneurs can apply online at https://shorturl.at/Au8zh.
