Nepal’s Industrial Enterprise Development Institute (IEDI) has, as described by Er. Umesh Kumar Gupta, maintained a relatively understated yet consistent presence in shaping the country’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. Building on earlier donor–government collaborations such as the Small Business Promotion Project, he notes that the institute has gradually transformed into a key public agency supporting small and medium enterprises through training, credit facilitation, and incubation support across all provinces.
He further highlights that in recent years, IEDI has expanded its startup-focused interventions, including concessional lending schemes, incubation centres, and alignment with the Startup Policy 2024. While debates persist around definitions of startups and selection criteria, Gupta positions the institute as a bridge between policy intent and entrepreneurial practice, with increasing emphasis on innovation-driven business models and stakeholder engagement.
The text is an abridged and translated version of the November 2024 edition of Sambaad @ Samriddhi. Sambaad @ Samriddhi is a monthly discussion on contemporary issues held on the last Friday of each month. In this edition, Er. Umesh Kumar Gupta shares his reflections on the role of the IEDI in supporting Entrepreneurs. The discussion was moderated by Niraj Khanal.
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