Yunus Social Business Centre at King's College Kathmandu Nepal

National Social Business Challenge is an initiative of Yunus Social Business Centre Nepal, King’s college in collaboration with likeminded organizations promoting social entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship and job creation in Nepal to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The main objective of the program is to develop the basic insights, understanding and importance of establishing a social enterprise as one of the mechanism to solve the social economic inequity and to invite participants to “Social Business Challenge” to design, present and implement the most feasible venture idea to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The thematic areas are ICT, Sustainable Tourism, Agriculture, Renewable Energy & Environment, Education, Gender Equality, Water and Sanitation, Health for 2018 National Social Business Challenge was initiated in the year 2016 by King’s College and series of workshop was facilitated throughout Nepal to build an understanding about the social entrepreneurship, venture creation and SDG’s. The targeted participants were the youths from cities from Biratnagar, Janakpur, Chitwan, Birgunj, Pokhara, Dharan and including Kathmandu Valley.

National Social Business Challenge has been initiated with an objective to build and develop the basic insights, understanding and importance of establishing a social enterprise as one of the mechanism to solve the social economic inequity by to designing, presenting and implementing the most feasible venture idea to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

We also intend to inculcate entrepreneurial way of thinking and working among the youth and to inspire them to actively take part in the creation of social businesses contributing towards reducing the inequality through this whole process. Our focus to build local partnership and facilitate the social change making process through them has been a catalyst forces in driving sustainable and sustained support system for the local youths and institutions.

In 2018 we partnered with Daraz, Blinc Venture, SEA Center, Clock B Innovations, YSBC @ Noble College, Rural Access Program – Connect (Rap3 Connect), Himalayan Climate Initiative (HCI), Nepal Communitere, Youthink China, OYORI Asia, Travelers’ Map, Orchid College, Samriddhi College, R&D Solutions, Thrive Nepal , District Youth Network Dhanusha, Srmus, Hami Yuwa and Birgunj Public College.

The finale of 3rd National Social Business Challenge was held at Hotel Yak & Yeti, on August 26, 2018. In the challenge, ten ventures pitched their business ideas, which was evaluated by a panel of four jury member, for a main title and four thematic title prizes. There was a participation of 147 people from sectors in the program.

Yunus Social Business Centre, Nepal, Kings college initiated “Social Business Challenge 2018” for all the entrepreneurs with the zeal to bring social change in Nepal. The challenge is in its 3rd edition and till date, the centre has nurtured 43 ventures which employees 700 youth throughout the country.

It started in 2016 with the intent to coach entrepreneurial way of thinking and working among the country’s youth to inspire and involve them in creation of social business. The centre is among the 48 centres working globally, initiated by Nobel Laureate Prof. Mohamad Yunus, also the founder of Grameen Bank.

The Chief Guest for the event was Honourable Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, Government of Nepal, Gokarna Bista who highlighted the importance of economic development through entrepreneurship and expressed his support for the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

There were many elements to the events that engaged the audience and peaked their interest concerning sustainable and social business. The photo booth proved to be a fun way to create awareness on Sustainable development goals while the panel discussion helped them with takeaways of entrepreneurial journey and challenges in Nepal. The Panel consisted of Mr Suman Shakya CEO, Smart Pani, Ms. Shilshila Acharya – CEO, HCI and Ms. Santosh Rana – Founder, Bihani Social Venture.

The competition was tough with all 10 participants who were pitching to an esteem panel of jury consisting Ms. Bahar Kumar- Director, Nepal Communitere, Mr. Varun Saraf – Managing Director – Yak and Yeti, Mr Bibhushan Bista – CEO Young Innovations and Ms. Juna Mathema – MD Blitz Media

The final 10 pitched a high energy presentation to the esteem Jury and they had a tough time picking the finalists

1. Title Winner won a cash prize of NRs. 100,000 – Revive

1. Thematic Runner up for Renewable Energy with cash prize of NRs 40,000 – Waste Recyclers

1. Thematic Runner Up for Agriculture with cash prize of 25,000 Your Agriculture Product

1. Thematic Runner Up for Jury’s Special with cash prize of 50,000 – WHpedia

1. Thematic Runner up for Food and Women with cash prize of 50,000- Hariyo Paat

Undoubtedly, Social Business Challenge is a great platform for entrepreneurs with an idea for social change, so various likeminded organizations like Daraz, King’s College, Nobel College, Himalayan Climate Initiative, Rural Access Program- Connect, Nepal Communitere, Travellers’ Map, Clock B Innovation, SEA centre, Rural Development Initiative, Thrive Nepal, R & D Innovation and OYORIASIA have come together to collaborate with Social Business Challenge 2018 to promote social entrepreneurship and job creation in Nepal.