Do you wish to listen to stories of founders of start-up companies who have secured millions of rupees in investment and get insights from a Wall Street veteran or a lady who has opened first ever girls-only digital media agency in the world?

If yes, don’t forget to attend the NEXT Growth Conclave, a one-day seminar, being organised by M&S NEXT Venture Corp at Soaltee Crowne Plaza in Kathmandu on September 25.

The conclave titled “Decoding Business Growth” will bring together 12 prominent speakers from Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Nepal and Thailand, who have founded or nurtured start-ups, worked as an angel investor or provided co-working space for budding companies.

These high-profile speakers—apart from sharing their stories and experiences—will talk about unlocking the potential of Nepali businesses, provide tips on “making-it-big” and explain how support systems can assist growth of enterprises. (Check the profiles of the speakers on Page III)

The stories, experiences and insights they share can be beneficial for those who want to start a start-up or those who have already established a start-up and are looking for funds to stimulate growth. Also, investors who wish to meet innovators, corporate executives, business leaders, students and everyone who wishes to learn more about the start-up ecosystem can join the conclave.

The start-up scene is pretty big in many developed countries, such as the US and Israel. One of the reasons for this is the tendency to see failure as something natural. In other words, people in these countries do not frown upon those who fail, which encourages aspirant entrepreneurs to keep on trying.

Over the years, even countries like India and China have started witnessing rapid growth in the number of start-ups. It is said the number of start-ups in India may jump to 11,500 by 2020 from 3,100 in 2014. Nepal too is gradually embracing this culture. This has resulted in establishment of several business accelerators, and a few venture capital and private equity funds. Yet many who have started start-ups face difficulties in securing finance to take their businesses to the next level or marketing their products.

The NEXT Growth Conclave, the first of its kind in the country, can help such people. One of the features of the conclave is “Start-up Valley”, where start-ups can exhibit viable products to attendees, potential investors, customers and senior entrepreneurs, or simply engage with founders of other start-ups.

The “Start-up Valley” also comprises “Kick-start Hill”, where new start-ups can launch themselves or their products.

The start-ups that have secured a place in “Start-up Valley” or “Kick-start Hill” will be given an opportunity to interact with investors, investment companies and few conference attendees. This interaction will be held at “Investors Lounge”—another feature of the Growth Conclave—where start-ups and investors can explore possibilities of collaboration and engage with each other.

During the Growth Conclave, NEXT Venture Crop will also accept applications for the first batch of startups, for its business accelerator programme, “NEXT Launchpad”. While the NEXT Growth Conclave aims to help people decode business growth, the NEXT Launchpad is specially designed to help early stage start-ups to take their businesses to the next level.