Nepal’s two innovative startup are selected by GSMA for funding. Out of 550 applicant all around Africa and Asia Pacific, GSMA selects 24 innovative startups. Among these 24, Nepal grown innovative startups; eSewa and Tootle managed to win the innovation fund in such global program. This will create a good atmosphere for the innovative minds here in Nepal.
The selection is for the GSMA Ecosystem Accelerator program that focuses on bridging the gap between mobile operators and start-up. Thus to enable strong partnerships fostering the growth of innovative mobile products and services. These partnerships bring impactful mobile solutions to the people and places that need them most, generating the greatest socioeconomic impact. In particular, the program operates an Innovation Fund which supports start-ups from Africa and Asia-Pacific with direct grant funding, technical assistance, and connections with mobile operators.
They announced 9 startups (including eSewa) in 2017 while they add 15 more (with Tootle) in 2018 to cover more sectors in their portfolio. The announcement happen in the sidelines of Mobile world Congress 2018, Barcelona. At first, the fund covered sectors like instance education, transportation or agriculture. All of the start-ups are more committed than ever to leveraging the power of mobile technology to deliver socioeconomic impact, and engagements with mobile operators are progressing. After the addition, more covered sectors includes health, insurance, and logistics, and illustrate a wider range of areas in which local SMEs are using mobile innovation to help solve local problem.
Here is what GSMA Ecosystem Accelerator program writes about the two popular startups of Nepal.
1. eSewa
The Problem
The Start-up
The Project
2. Tootle
The Problem
The Start-up
The Project
We would like to congratulate these two startups for spreading Nepalese innovation to the global market. This sort of recognition will help and encourage growing youth entrepreneurs and startups to work more. Let the startups rise here in Nepal for more sustainable and technological development for better lives here.
About GSMA: The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with almost 300 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organizations in adjacent industry sectors.
