KATHMANDU, Sept 6: “Is there a future in Nepal?” For many young people, this question shapes choices about education, career, and even migration. To address these concerns, Hivelaya organized Nepal Ma Future Cha, a career and growth conclave held at Hotel Yak & Yeti on Saturday, bringing together 21 mentors, entrepreneurs from over 50 companies and hundreds of participants for a day of discussions and interactions.
According to the organizers, the conclave is the largest of its kind in Nepal, designed to provide young people with guidance on career development and personal growth. The event featured mentorship sessions where small groups of 10–20 participants interacted with professionals for an hour, alongside stalls set up by various companies and organizations to showcase opportunities and resources. The turnout with more than 1,000 students, young professionals, mid-career employees and aspiring entrepreneurs reflected the growing interest in conversations about building a future within the country.
What made the conclave distinct was its departure from the formality of keynote speeches and panel discussions. Instead, it prioritized direct interaction. Twenty mentors drawn from diverse backgrounds in business, technology, education and social impact sat down with participants in rotating group sessions designed to spark practical conversations. Workshops ran alongside these sessions, focusing on personal branding, communication and leadership.
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To ensure the event was more than a one-day talk shop, the organizers also set up additional zones: a Startup Hall where emerging ventures pitched their ideas and networked with potential supporters; a Career Corner offering resume reviews, career counselling and application advice; and an Experience Zone where leading companies and institutions showcased opportunities.
Across seven thematic sessions, mentors offered both practical advice and personal reflections. Career growth discussions featured Divya Singh, Karan Vaidya and Monayac Karki. Brand development and growth were taken up by Prashraya Tuladhar, Juna Mathema, and Ujaya Shakya, while startups and business strategy were led by Shreeya Giri, Usha Pandey, and Rita Pokharel. Other sessions on branding, technology, purpose-driven leadership, and personal legacy were steered by Anup Ghimire, Zenisha Moktan, Kailash Bijayananda, Karvika Thapa, Shrinkhala Khatiwada, Prashant Pokharel, Sanjog Koirala, Anil Keshary Shah, Neelesh Pradhan and Prajuna KC.
Mentors’ advice resonated with participants who had walked in with doubts about their prospects in Nepal. Some said they had come simply to learn something new and left with more than they expected. A few discovered potential clients, others met people who might become collaborators, and many walked away with a clearer perspective on their next steps in life. As seasoned professionals spoke not just of success, but of struggle, participants found pieces of their own journey reflected back at them.
For Prashraya Tuladhar, Director and Founder of ADS Digital, “the secret to building a business or growing a brand is about creativity, strategy, and understanding the pulse of people.” Shreeya Giri, social entrepreneur and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, emphasized purpose, “From starting conversations on mental health to creating impact-driven ventures, ideas can become movements. Communication is the key.” Sanjog Koirala, a young entrepreneur, actor, and digital influencer, reflected, “Nepal’s future is both challenging and full of promise. To succeed, you have to see the opportunities that lie beneath the surface and be ready to take a risk.”
