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Kickstarting enterprising green solutions
On Sunday, twelve green ideas competed against each other at the final award gala of the Greenovation Startup Challenge (GSC)—a platform seeking to transform green entrepreneurship ideas into tangible businesses.On Sunday, twelve green ideas competed against each other at the final award gala of the Greenovation Startup Challenge (GSC)—a platform seeking to transform green entrepreneurship ideas into tangible businesses. At the event, four green business ideas, namely Ground Apple, Tyre Treasure, Sishnu, Chepang ra Paryatan and Wood Gas Stove, were awarded with a seed amount of Rs 150,000 each to start their ventures.
With the seed money, Ground Apple venture is looking forward to creating a brand that brings ground apples to Nepali households as a substitute for high-sugar fruits and vegetables; Tyre Treasure aims to up-cycle old and reusable tyres to produce household and commercial furnitures; Sishnu, Chepang Ra Paryatan aims to commercialise organic farming of Sishnu and help generate income for Chepang communities; and Wood Gas Stove aims to minimise carbon emission by building stoves that use smoke from firewood as fuel.
GSC had kicked off on September 13 with 160 applicants. The final 12 participants, who were nominated through a voting system among participants, underwent a 54-hour residential training session this month in preparation for their final business pitches.
“The Generation Green campaign is about appreciating and motivating young ideas of sustainable solutions,” stated Anil Manandhar, of WWF Nepal, the co-organizer of the challenge.
“The Greenovation Startup Challenge is our maiden undertaking with young people using green entrepreneurship as a platform to engage more individuals.”