agriBusiness BootCamp 2017
Overview :
The program helped the participants learn business frameworks through critical thinking exercises. It created necessary buzz to inform many agribusinesses and invited large number of existing agribusinesses and new agri-entrepreneurs to come together. It was high intensity focused program that injected required mentoring and training to help selected entrepreneurs take ideas from mind to market and from existence to sustainability and scale – with a plan for financial return.
Different events targeting both existing agri business and startups were conducted throughout the period of a month to select participants for agriBusiness BootCamp 2017.
SCHEDULE OF THE EVENT
- Inception Workshop – 9th DEC 2016
- Media Appearance – 12th FEB – 10th MAR 2017
- Spark Talk – 31st MAR 2017
- Juries Orientation – 31st MAR 2017
- Speed Dating- 1st APR 2017
- agriBusiness Startup Weekend – (7 – 9)th APR 2017
- agriBusiness Bootcamp 2017 – (21-27)th APR 2017
- Award Gala – 27th APR 2017
- Mentoring Session – 28th & 29th MAY 2017
- Inception Workshop
- Spark Talk
- Speed Dating
- agriBusiness Startup Weekend
- agriBusiness Bootcamp 2017
- Award Gala
Elaborating the overall agendas and procedures of the event, the meeting stressed upon Agribusiness Boot camp and Startup weekend, to be continued later on the event where the participants are expected to learn on important topic like market validation and segmentation, business model, financials, design thinking, pitching, investment, networking e.tc. The program ended with feedback sessions on Design and Methodology, Scoring Criteria and Media Plan.
Mr. Hempal Shrestha (Co-Founder, NEHUB) moderated the event. Mr. Shrestha initiated the event with a welcome speech and an introduction session. He introduced the participants about NEHUB and its flagship programs that it organizes to foster the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the country. 
After the introduction session, Mr. Shrestha invited Mr. Neeraj Nepali (Consultant, World Bank infoDev) to the stage. Mr. Nepali then shed some light on various entrepreneurial activities that World Bank engages in. Mr. Nepali also informed the audience that agriBusiness BootCamp was probably the first BootCamp in the world which was dedicated to support agri businesses.
Session from Mr. Nepali was proceeded by Mr. Bibek Shrestha (Agribusiness Market Development Expert, ABIC). Mr. Shrestha then briefed the audience about Nepal Agribusiness Innovation Center (ABIC) and the services provided by it. Mr. Shrestha concluded his session by affirming that ABIC is not a voluntary organization and companies willing to acquire the services provided by ABIC will have.
After the speech by Mr. Bibek Shrestha, the moderator called upon Mr. Ravi Phuyal and Mr. Brijendra Rochan Joshi (both Co-Founders, NEHUB) for a brief introduction about “Agribusiness Startup Weekend Kathmandu” and “agriBusiness BootCamp 2017” respectively. Mr. Joshi, a pioneer in introducing Startup Weekend in Nepal briefed the participants about the methodology of Startup Weekend having had the experience of organizing 10 Startup Weekends. Mr. Joshi stated all the activities that participants would engage themselves during the course of the weekend. After the completion of the session, Mr. Joshi handed over the stage to Mr. Ravi Phuyal. Mr. Phuyal gave a brief rundown of agriBusiness BootCamp and the activities that the participants would engage themselves in during the weeklong event.
Explaining that such initiative had never been taken by any organization in the world, Mr. Phuyal stated that the experience from the BootCamp would be insightful and a great learning curve to all the participants involved in the BootCamp including the organizers. After the introductory session, a Question & Answer session was held whereby inquiries from the participants regarding agriBusiness BootCamp were answered.
After the Question and Answer session, a Panel discussion on the topic “खोज्दै कैयौं व्यापार, जसले बदल्नेछ कृषिको मुहार” (English Translation: Searching for many businesses that will change the face of Agribusiness) was moderated by. Mr. Suman Shakya (Consultant, World Bank infoDev). The panelists in the panel discussion included:
- Mr. Shashi Bhattarai (Consultant, World Bank infoDev)
- Mr. Govinda Prasad Sharma (Project Director, PACT)
- Mr. Binoy Sharma (Executive Director, HURDEC)
- Mr. Anand Bagaria (Managing Director, NIMBUS Holding Pvt.Ltd)
- Mr. Siddhant Raj Pandey (Managing Director, Business Oxygen Pvt.Ltd)
All 50 companies shortlisted from initial screenings were divided into 10 groups. The shortlisted companies met 10 different judges in two panels. Each team gave a presentation of 3 minutes to one panel of judges (5 judges) and the teams were also provided a chance to have a 5-minute interaction with each judge in the panel. The same procedure was rolled over to another room with the next panel of judges with the same process. Event coordinator rang a bell to indicate the beginning and the end of each round. The first bell started the session and the next bell ended the session on which the founder or representative of the company moved to the next jury. In about 40 minutes, the judges completed the review of the presentation and Q&A session of one group. The same process continued for the remaining 8 groups and based on the agreed selection criteria, the jury shortlisted the top 20 applicants/ companies.Observers from the World Bank infoDev team were present to monitor the event throughout the day. Juries present during Speed Dating were:
- Dr. Govinda Prasad Sharma (Project Director, PACT)
- Ms. Shabnam Shivakoti (Program Director, MoAD / DoA “Post-Harvest Management”)
- Mr. Bhushan Shah (Deputy CEO, ABIC)
- Mr. Bibek Shrestha (Agribusiness Market Development Expert,ABIC)
- Ms. Ritu Pradhan Malla (Sr. Investment Manager, BO2)
- Mr. Saurabh Rijal (Investment Facilitation Expert, IFC)
- Mr. Sanam Chitrakar (Biruwa Ventures Pvt. Ltd.)
- Mr. Binoy Sharma (Executive Director, HURDEC)
- Ms. Rita Bhandary (Immediate Past President, FWEAN)
- Mr. Narottam Aryal (Executive Director, King’s College)
- Mr. Damber Khanal (Managing Director, R&D Innovative)
- Ms. Sunayna Tamrakar (Investment Manager, One to Watch)
- Ms. Sushama Sharma (Head of Institutional Banking, NMB Bank)
- Mr. Brijendra Rochan Joshi (Co-founder, NEHUB)
Observers present during the Speed Dating were:
- Mr. Suman Shakya (Consultant, World Bank infoDev)
- Mr. Neeraj Nepali (Consultant, World Bank infoDev)
- Mr. Shashi Bhattarai (Consultant, World Bank infoDev)
- Dr. Bhoj Raj Aryal (Professor, CDM, Tribhuwan University)
The top 20 companies were:
- Khetalo Agro Ventures
- Tikli Gachi Falful Krishak Samuha
- Him Shrinkhala Jaiwik Krishi Udhyog
- Radha Krishna Gai Bhaisi Farm
- Pathak Dairy Industries
- Lekhnath Hatchery & Integrated Agriculture Farm
- Chhanga Devi Pashupalan Tatha Ghas Bikas Firm
- Farm to Finger
- Motherland Agriculture Industry Pvt.ltd
- Bhairav Temple Eco Organic Firm
- Shree Kalika B.M Agro Production
- Kanchanjunga Organic Orthodox Tea Industry
- Quest for Progress Pvt. Ltd
- Adhunik Krishi Tatha Jadibuti Byabasaik Firm
- Himalayan Organic Garden
- Fresh Hygienic Food
- Manakamana Agro Organic Fertilizer Pvt.Ltd
- Sagar Bee Keeping Industry
- Himalayan Tea Twigs & Traders
- Swagat Dalmoth Udhyog
DAY I
Session I: Team Building Facilitator: Mr. Hempal Shrestha (Co-founder, NEHUB) and Ms. Deepa Shakya (Consultant, NEHUB)
Session II: Business Model Canvas Facilitator: Mr. Suman Shakya (Consultant, infoDev)
Session III: Design Thinking Facilitator: Mr. Pravin Raj Joshi (CTO, Rooster Logic)
DAY II
Session I: Know Your Customer Facilitator: Mr. Suman Shakya (Consultant, infoDev) and Mr. Shashi Bhattarai (Consultant, infoDev)
Session II: Market Research Facilitator: Ms. Deepa Shakya (Consultant, NEHUB)
Session III: Value Proposition Canvas Facilitator: Mr. Suman Shakya (Consultant, infoDev) and Mr. Shashi Bhattarai (Consultant, infoDev)
Session IV: Nepal Experience: Branding Products/Services Facilitator: Mr. Kashyap Shakya (Founder, Allied Food Industry)
Day III:
Session I: Sales and Distribution Facilitator: Mr. Jim Thaller (Senior Agribusiness Marketing Advisor, World Bank infoDev)
Session II: Competition Mapping Facilitator: Mr. Jim Thaller
Session III: Nepal’s Experience: Sales and Distribution Facilitator: Abhaya Gorkhali (Senior Marketing Manager, Dabur Nepal)
DAY IV:
Session I: Field Visit- Market Validation at Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Session II: Nepal Experience: Quality Control Facilitator: Ms. Jiwan Prava Lama, (President, NEFOSTA)
DAY V:
Session I: Technical Aspects of Business Facilitator: Mr. Shashi Bhattarai (Consultant, infoDev)
Session II: Financial Aspects Facilitator: Ms. Ritu Pradhan Malla (Sr. Investment Manager, Business Oxygen Pvt. Ltd.)
Session III: Nepal Experience: Investment Pitching Facilitators: Mr. Ashish Adhikari (Founder, RedMud Coffee) and Mr. Tyler McMahon (Consultant, SmartPaani).
Session IV: Positioning your Business in Agriculture Facilitator: Mr. Neeraj Nepali (Consultant World Bank, infoDev)
DAY VI:
There were no sessions, only guidance from the mentors. The participants worked on presentation for pitching their business on finale.
DAY VII:
The participants alongside NEHUB team travelled back to Kathmandu. They pitched their idea in front of a panel of judges
- Aarniko Raj Bhandari (Managing Director, Nepal Dairy)
- Siddhant Raj Pandey (CEO, Business Oxygen Pvt. Ltd.)
- Shabnam Shivakoti (Program Director, Ministry of Agriculture Development- Post Harvest Management)
To acknowledge and felicitate the winners and the top teams of agriBusiness BootCamp 2017, an Award Gala was held on 27th April 2017, at Hotel Yak & Yeti, Kathmandu after the final pitching session at SAP Falcha, Kathmandu. 
The Gala event commenced at 05:15 PM as Mr. Hempal Shrestha (Co-Founder, NEHUB) was the host of the event. Mr. Shrestha initiated the event by welcoming all the distinguished guests and participants at the Award Gala. After a brief welcome speech, Ms. Deepa Shakya (Consultant, NEHUB) presented about NEHUB and various activities that it engages itself in to foster the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the country.
| Shree Kalika BM Agro Production | Kanchanjunga Organic Orthodox Tea Industry | Quest for Progress Pvt. Ltd | Aadhunik Krishi Tatha Jaadibuti Byabasaik Firm | Himalayan Organic Garden |
| Ecoplates | Fresh Hygienic Food | Tatopani ko Rosemary | Manakamana Agro Organic Fertilizer Pvt. Ltd | Sagar Bee Keeping Industry |
After the announcement of the top 10 Teams, Mr. Phuyal (Co-Founder, NEHUB) presented the certificates to the participants of agriBusiness BootCamp 2017. The winners were as follows:
- Shree Kalika BM Agro Production
- Kanchanjunga Organic Orthodox Tea Industry
- Quest for Progress
The certificates to the top 3 Teams were provided by Mr. Arniko Rajbhandary (Managing Director, Nepal Dairy), Ms. Shabnam Shivakoti (Program Director, Ministry of Agricultural Development – Post Harvest Management Directorate) and Mr. Siddhant Raj Pandey (CEO, Business Oxygen Pvt. Ltd) respectively. The felicitation of the winners marked the official closure of the program.
Judges
Mr. Siddhant Raj Pandey, Chairman and CEO of Business Oxygen, has been a banker for over two decades. Having worked with Merrill Lynch and Riggs Bank in London, Mr. Pandey was the CEO of Ace Development Bank for over eight years, a development bank that was upgraded from a Finance Company during his tenure. He is also a member of the Board of the Central Renewable Energy Fund, a government entity with the mandate to invest and monitor renewal energy. He is a mentor and advisor at Microsoft Innovation Centre Nepal. He is also the Chairman of White Lotus Centre, a private sector development consultancy company. He was the Chairman of the Credit Information Bureau. He has a BA in Business Administration from Virginia Tech University (USA) and MSc. in Development Economics from University of Bristol (UK).
Mr. Siddhant Raj Pandey, Chairman and CEO of Business Oxygen, has been a banker for over two decades. Having worked with Merrill Lynch and Riggs Bank in London, Mr. Pandey was the CEO of Ace Development Bank for over eight years, a development bank that was upgraded from a Finance Company during his tenure. He is also a member of the Board of the Central Renewable Energy Fund, a government entity with the mandate to invest and monitor renewal energy. He is a mentor and advisor at Microsoft Innovation Centre Nepal. He is also the Chairman of White Lotus Centre, a private sector development consultancy company. He was the Chairman of the Credit Information Bureau. He has a BA in Business Administration from Virginia Tech University (USA) and MSc. in Development Economics from University of Bristol (UK).
Ms Shabnam Shivakoti is the Program Director of Ministry of Agriculture Development– Post Harvest Management)
Ms Shabnam Shivakoti is the Program Director of Ministry of Agriculture Development– Post Harvest Management)
Mr Arniko Rajbhandary is the Managing Director at Nepal Dairy. He started his career as an engineer with ND. He focuses on bringing new products to the company and manages the production sector. He leads the product management efforts.
Mr Arniko Rajbhandary is the Managing Director at Nepal Dairy. He started his career as an engineer with ND. He focuses on bringing new products to the company and manages the production sector. He leads the product management efforts.
Mentors
Saurabh Rijal, professionally a Chartered Accountant, has been working as consultant and managers for SMEs and big business in Nepal for last 10 years. He provides startup and growth consulting services basically focused on accounting & financial management system, business planning & modeling, and investment decisions. His engagements with private business, government, and development agencies has added value and appreciated in fields like agriculture, agri processing, hydropower, banking & finance, technology, manufacturing, tourism, health, and education. Currently, he is working as Senior Investment Consultant at Saadhya Private Limited, a Investment Management and Consulting Company, and also associated with World Bank Group as an Investment Facilitation Expert.
Saurabh Rijal, professionally a Chartered Accountant, has been working as consultant and managers for SMEs and big business in Nepal for last 10 years. He provides startup and growth consulting services basically focused on accounting & financial management system, business planning & modeling, and investment decisions. His engagements with private business, government, and development agencies has added value and appreciated in fields like agriculture, agri processing, hydropower, banking & finance, technology, manufacturing, tourism, health, and education. Currently, he is working as Senior Investment Consultant at Saadhya Private Limited, a Investment Management and Consulting Company, and also associated with World Bank Group as an Investment Facilitation Expert.
Mr. Dhakal is HR Generalist with a decade long experience of working in the field of Human Resource Management, Project Management, Media and Marketing Management, with an exposure in various sectors like Education, FMCG, Consumer Durables, Media and advertising, Digital Content generation, Automobile, Information Technology. He has successfully deployed number of strategic and operational frameworks in the places where he has worked, and helped create unique value in achieving the top-line and bottom-line objective. Some of the organizations he has worked are Kedia Organization (DAV School and College), Chaudhary Group, Incessant Rain Animation Studio, AVCO International (Hyundai Motors), Synchro Media. Mr. Dhakal is MBA in General Management from ACE Institute of Management, affiliated to Pokhara University and have completed BBA in Corporate Finance from Nepal College of Management, affiliated to Kathmandu University.
Mr. Dhakal is HR Generalist with a decade long experience of working in the field of Human Resource Management, Project Management, Media and Marketing Management, with an exposure in various sectors like Education, FMCG, Consumer Durables, Media and advertising, Digital Content generation, Automobile, Information Technology. He has successfully deployed number of strategic and operational frameworks in the places where he has worked, and helped create unique value in achieving the top-line and bottom-line objective. Some of the organizations he has worked are Kedia Organization (DAV School and College), Chaudhary Group, Incessant Rain Animation Studio, AVCO International (Hyundai Motors), Synchro Media. Mr. Dhakal is MBA in General Management from ACE Institute of Management, affiliated to Pokhara University and have completed BBA in Corporate Finance from Nepal College of Management, affiliated to Kathmandu University.
Professionally a passionate marketing guy with strong inclination towards Brand Management and Consumer Behavior and a truly aspiring Entrepreneur with experience as a Brand Manager in various multinational companies like Carlsberg and Dabur Nepal and national companies like Nepal Life insurance. Experience in FMCG, service sector (Life Insurance) and operating my own manufacturing business has helped me broaden not only marketing but overall management practices through varied experiences gained over various brand development activities and flagship product launches in the Nepalese market. Also involved as a lecturer in various established institutes of Nepal with a teaching experience of over 8 years.
Professionally a passionate marketing guy with strong inclination towards Brand Management and Consumer Behavior and a truly aspiring Entrepreneur with experience as a Brand Manager in various multinational companies like Carlsberg and Dabur Nepal and national companies like Nepal Life insurance. Experience in FMCG, service sector (Life Insurance) and operating my own manufacturing business has helped me broaden not only marketing but overall management practices through varied experiences gained over various brand development activities and flagship product launches in the Nepalese market. Also involved as a lecturer in various established institutes of Nepal with a teaching experience of over 8 years.
Shashi Bhattarai, Consultant to infoDev, a global partnership program within the World Bank Group which works at the intersection of innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, is an Engineer by education but focusing in Planning and Management in his profession. Shashi is also serving as visiting faculty at Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University and Kathmandu University, School of Management (KUSOM) for teaching Technology & Innovation Management and Decision Support Systems respectively. Headed South Asian Development Fund (SADF) Secretariat and served as Chief of Special Projects and IT Branch at Nepal Industrial Development Corporation (NIDC). Shashi’s twenty plus years of experience includes execution of projects financed by local consortia of financial institutions as well as those supported by bilateral, multilateral and international agencies; out of which five plus years of experience in research and consulting services in various socio economic development activities for the World Bank and European Commission supported projects focusing in Nepal as well as South and South-East Asian region.
Shashi Bhattarai, Consultant to infoDev, a global partnership program within the World Bank Group which works at the intersection of innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, is an Engineer by education but focusing in Planning and Management in his profession. Shashi is also serving as visiting faculty at Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University and Kathmandu University, School of Management (KUSOM) for teaching Technology & Innovation Management and Decision Support Systems respectively. Headed South Asian Development Fund (SADF) Secretariat and served as Chief of Special Projects and IT Branch at Nepal Industrial Development Corporation (NIDC). Shashi’s twenty plus years of experience includes execution of projects financed by local consortia of financial institutions as well as those supported by bilateral, multilateral and international agencies; out of which five plus years of experience in research and consulting services in various socio economic development activities for the World Bank and European Commission supported projects focusing in Nepal as well as South and South-East Asian region.
Pravin Raj Joshi, a Computer Science major, has 18 years of experience in cutting edge technology and entrepreneurship. He had been a research assistant at University of Alabama at Birmingham where he was part of the SURA Grid design team. A long time advocate of Free and Open Source Software in Nepal, he is the Co- Founder and CTO of Rooster Logic where he designs products like REMO and Savaako. He is also
Director of Cryptic Insight; Director of Brihaspati Vidyasadan School and College; Faculty at Ace Institute of Management where he teaches MIS to EMBA students. Pravin is currently looking into connecting whole of Nepal with weather monitoring sensors to predict micro-weather and integrating the Internet of Things to make research and monitoring within easy reach, affordable and robust.
Pravin Raj Joshi, a Computer Science major, has 18 years of experience in cutting edge technology and entrepreneurship. He had been a research assistant at University of Alabama at Birmingham where he was part of the SURA Grid design team. A long time advocate of Free and Open Source Software in Nepal, he is the Co- Founder and CTO of Rooster Logic where he designs products like REMO and Savaako. He is also
Director of Cryptic Insight; Director of Brihaspati Vidyasadan School and College; Faculty at Ace Institute of Management where he teaches MIS to EMBA students. Pravin is currently looking into connecting whole of Nepal with weather monitoring sensors to predict micro-weather and integrating the Internet of Things to make research and monitoring within easy reach, affordable and robust.
Jiwan ji was born in a small village of Tehrathum district in 1958. After the completion of her secondary schooling at Dharan, she did
her postgraduate study from the Reading University (UK) in food science, Technology and Nutrition in 1996 parallel with civic job at
the Department of Food technology and Quality Control. She has published many research articles and publications in Agrobusiness
especially in relation to food and nutrition sciences. She has keen thirst of interest to adopt good practices to uplift human health,
wellness and people health care through research. She has 38 years of work experiences in Nepal government which are as:
- As a director general in the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) under the Ministry of Agriculture Development.
- As an Acting Secretary in the Information Commission
- As acting Secretary of the office of Vice President (VP)
- As an Executive Director (January, 2016 onward)
Membership in professional associations: She has been elected as President of Nepal Food Scientists and Technologists Association- NEFOSTA (2016-18). Besides, she is a Life member of (NEFOSTA) President- Quality Initiative Centre Nepal ( QUIC-N-2016), Life member of Women in Science and Technology (WIST) and Life member of Alumni Nepal of Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP).
Recognition: Has been recognized by Nepal Government including
NGO and INGO such as “Shabdachitra ma Tees Utkrista Nari, Part I”
Himshikhar Publication, 2007, “Food Safety Activist” by UNIDO, 2014,
Suprabal Janasewashree (Tritiya Shreni) by Rt. Honorable President
of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, 2015 and many more.
Jiwan ji was born in a small village of Tehrathum district in 1958. After the completion of her secondary schooling at Dharan, she did
her postgraduate study from the Reading University (UK) in food science, Technology and Nutrition in 1996 parallel with civic job at
the Department of Food technology and Quality Control. She has published many research articles and publications in Agrobusiness
especially in relation to food and nutrition sciences. She has keen thirst of interest to adopt good practices to uplift human health,
wellness and people health care through research. She has 38 years of work experiences in Nepal government which are as:
- As a director general in the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) under the Ministry of Agriculture Development.
- As an Acting Secretary in the Information Commission
- As acting Secretary of the office of Vice President (VP)
- As an Executive Director (January, 2016 onward)
Membership in professional associations: She has been elected as President of Nepal Food Scientists and Technologists Association- NEFOSTA (2016-18). Besides, she is a Life member of (NEFOSTA) President- Quality Initiative Centre Nepal ( QUIC-N-2016), Life member of Women in Science and Technology (WIST) and Life member of Alumni Nepal of Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP).
Recognition: Has been recognized by Nepal Government including
NGO and INGO such as “Shabdachitra ma Tees Utkrista Nari, Part I”
Himshikhar Publication, 2007, “Food Safety Activist” by UNIDO, 2014,
Suprabal Janasewashree (Tritiya Shreni) by Rt. Honorable President
of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, 2015 and many more.
Neeraj works in the field of Market System Development for economic growth of rural and urban communities in developing countries. He has a
diverse experience of managing various MSEs development related projects at different capacities. He has more than 18 years of working experience in the field of private sector and rural economy development with Market Development Approach, especially in the agriculture and Non-Timber Forest Product sectors. He has been working in the field of business innovation, responsible business practices, multi-sector partnership, institutional strengthening and organization development activities, in addition to Market and Value Chain Development.
Neeraj works in the field of Market System Development for economic growth of rural and urban communities in developing countries. He has a
diverse experience of managing various MSEs development related projects at different capacities. He has more than 18 years of working experience in the field of private sector and rural economy development with Market Development Approach, especially in the agriculture and Non-Timber Forest Product sectors. He has been working in the field of business innovation, responsible business practices, multi-sector partnership, institutional strengthening and organization development activities, in addition to Market and Value Chain Development.
Jim Thaller is an entrepreneur who believes that the food industry
can change the world. He is one of the founders and managing
directors of Talier Trading Group; a specialty food development
company based in West New York, New Jersey (USA). For almost two
decades, Talier Trading Group has grown from a start-up importing
company to a global leader with distribution in more than 14
countries around the world. Jim is also a senior agribusiness
marketing advisor at the World Bank’s InfoDev program, focusing his
efforts on supporting the design and development of the Agribusiness
Innovation Centers (AIC). Prior to founding Talier Trading Group, Mr.
Thaller was the co-founder of two technology-based companies, both
of whichre successfully developed and acquired. Mr. Thaller has done
a great deal of speaking on the food industry for international
development, and has been an advisor on President Obama’s Trade
Advisory Committee on Africa since 2010.
Jim Thaller is an entrepreneur who believes that the food industry
can change the world. He is one of the founders and managing
directors of Talier Trading Group; a specialty food development
company based in West New York, New Jersey (USA). For almost two
decades, Talier Trading Group has grown from a start-up importing
company to a global leader with distribution in more than 14
countries around the world. Jim is also a senior agribusiness
marketing advisor at the World Bank’s InfoDev program, focusing his
efforts on supporting the design and development of the Agribusiness
Innovation Centers (AIC). Prior to founding Talier Trading Group, Mr.
Thaller was the co-founder of two technology-based companies, both
of whichre successfully developed and acquired. Mr. Thaller has done
a great deal of speaking on the food industry for international
development, and has been an advisor on President Obama’s Trade
Advisory Committee on Africa since 2010.
Born Bara District, Jeetpur, raised in Kathmandu. Does not have a
college degree. Dropped out of College twice.
Returned home from United States after 8 miserable years but with a
lot of heart to do something with life. Started a online clothing
company called “Dignetee” and failed within 6 months. Then moved
into the coffee business in 2012 and launched RED MUD COFFEE.
Grew Red Mud to 2 stores in 2 years, raised growth capital from a
dutch Investor through the RockStart Accelerator Program in 2015
and expanded to 3 more stores(4 in Kathmandu and 1 in Manang
District) . Currently provides employment to 70 + youth and has
dreams of growing Red Mud into the largest coffee chain brand in
Nepal.
Born Bara District, Jeetpur, raised in Kathmandu. Does not have a
college degree. Dropped out of College twice.
Returned home from United States after 8 miserable years but with a
lot of heart to do something with life. Started a online clothing
company called “Dignetee” and failed within 6 months. Then moved
into the coffee business in 2012 and launched RED MUD COFFEE.
Grew Red Mud to 2 stores in 2 years, raised growth capital from a
dutch Investor through the RockStart Accelerator Program in 2015
and expanded to 3 more stores(4 in Kathmandu and 1 in Manang
District) . Currently provides employment to 70 + youth and has
dreams of growing Red Mud into the largest coffee chain brand in
Nepal.
Marketing & Business Development professional with expertise in FMCG management having more than 17 years work experience in
the leading MNCs. Mr.Abhaya Gorkhali is the deputy general manager of marketing at Dabur Nepal Pvt. Ltd. He has also worked as the senior manager In marketing and the senior product manager at Dabur. He is a graduate of Asian Institute of Management and holds a master’s degree in management, leadership and strategic management. His areas of skills include business development, product development, and market research.
Marketing & Business Development professional with expertise in FMCG management having more than 17 years work experience in
the leading MNCs. Mr.Abhaya Gorkhali is the deputy general manager of marketing at Dabur Nepal Pvt. Ltd. He has also worked as the senior manager In marketing and the senior product manager at Dabur. He is a graduate of Asian Institute of Management and holds a master’s degree in management, leadership and strategic management. His areas of skills include business development, product development, and market research.
Ritu Pradhan Malla is SEMS point person and Sr. Investment Manager at BO2 . Completed her Masters in Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Webster University, Thailand in 2009. She has six years of experience in the banking industry of Nepal where she has worked with leading commercial banks in Nepal like Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Limited and Laxmi Bank Limited. She has Competencies in relationship management, credit risk management, credit portfolio management, business development & knowledge about SMEs in Nepal.
Ritu Pradhan Malla is SEMS point person and Sr. Investment Manager at BO2 . Completed her Masters in Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Webster University, Thailand in 2009. She has six years of experience in the banking industry of Nepal where she has worked with leading commercial banks in Nepal like Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Limited and Laxmi Bank Limited. She has Competencies in relationship management, credit risk management, credit portfolio management, business development & knowledge about SMEs in Nepal.
- Founder and International Advisor at SmartPaani and One Planet Solution
- Former Report Analyst and Climate Change Consultant at World Food Program
- Founder and International Advisor at SmartPaani and One Planet Solution
- Former Report Analyst and Climate Change Consultant at World Food Program
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