Introduction
ICT Foundation Nepal (IFN) is a nonprofit organization that promotes digital transformation, technology skills, and startup development in Nepal.
Its activities focus on digital literacy, policy dialogue, entrepreneurship, applied research, and collaboration with government and industry. Through these programs, the foundation connects Nepal’s digital development priorities with practical opportunities for learners, entrepreneurs, and public institutions.
History and Background
Established in 2021, ICT Foundation Nepal describes itself as a profit-not-distributing organization created to advance innovation, startups, and ideas that contribute to a Digital Nepal. Its work involves public and private sector collaboration at community, national, and regional levels.
An important milestone was the launch of the Digital Nepal Conclave in 2022, following the Digital Pradesh Samvad initiative. The annual conference brings together policymakers, technology professionals, entrepreneurs, and academics to discuss how digital technologies can support national development.
Mission and Purpose
The foundation’s mission is to support innovation and startups while helping build a connected, technologically advanced society. Its objectives include digital inclusion, capacity building, digital literacy, policy contribution, and research that informs decision-making.
These priorities address both access to technology and the ability to use it effectively. IFN combines skills development with discussions about digital governance and opportunities for technology businesses, linking individual learning with Nepal’s wider digital economy.
Governance and Structure
Organizational Identity and Team
ICT Foundation Nepal is based in Kathmandu and publishes registration number 261776/077/078 on its website. Its stated profit-not-distributing status provides the clearest public description of its organizational structure.
The foundation’s team page separately identifies team members and patrons. Listed patrons include former science and technology minister Ganesh Shah, Manohar Kumar Bhattarai, and academics Subarna Shakya and Manish Pokharel. The page does not explain formal board responsibilities, appointment procedures, or ownership arrangements, so those details cannot be established from it.
Partnership Network
IFN lists government collaborators including the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, the Department of Information Technology, the Nepal Telecommunications Authority, and the Industrial Enterprise Development Institute (IEDI). Its collaboration page also names industry associations and international partners, including The Asia Foundation and Huawei Technologies.
Funding and Grants
The foundation’s published opportunities include education scholarships and startup incubation support. Its 2026 Google Career Certificates initiative, delivered with Mero Job Limited and Google LLC, announced up to 500 fully funded scholarship seats. Training is provided through Coursera, with local support from IFN and Mero Job Limited.
Government-supported delivery is another mechanism. The Business Incubation Service Program 2026 is supported by IEDI and helps early-stage digital businesses prepare for investment. Although the program description mentions funding support, it does not specify a guaranteed cash grant for each participant.
The reviewed pages do not disclose a consolidated annual budget, an endowment, or a general research grants scheme. Prospective partners should therefore distinguish between scholarships, incubation services, and direct financial awards when discussing funding opportunities.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Digital Nepal Conclave
The Digital Nepal Conclave provides a platform for policy discussion, networking, and technology exchange. Topics include financial technology, digital health, cybersecurity, agriculture, education, connectivity, and workforce development.
ICT Gyan
ICT Gyan is a knowledge-sharing platform offering ICT training and professional development. Its resources are tailored to Nepali learners and cover subjects ranging from basic computer skills to advanced digital tools. The initiative also invites video contributors to support learning content.
Startup Incubation
The Business Incubation Service Program 2026 targets early-stage digital and IT-enabled businesses, primarily in Bagmati and Koshi provinces. Its activities include expert-led workshops, business and financial modeling, pitch preparation, mentoring, a bootcamp, and a demonstration day for investors and other stakeholders.
Research and Policy Publications
IFN’s publications include an e-governance assessment and stocktaking study, an inventory of Nepal’s ICT industry, Digital Nepal Paridrishya reports, and technology-sector budget recommendations. The foundation says its reports are distributed to local, provincial, and national government bodies.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
The foundation’s website reports more than 25 programs conducted, coverage across all seven provinces, engagement with more than 50 municipalities, and more than five completed research studies. These are organizationally reported measures of activity and reach.
The Google Career Certificates scholarship initiative illustrates its support for access to professional education. Available subjects include cybersecurity, data analytics, IT support, project management, and digital marketing. Intended participants include students, graduates, working professionals, women, underserved communities, and financially disadvantaged learners. The announced scholarship allocation represents program capacity; the cited page does not report final completion or employment outcomes.
The foundation also reports that its 2024 Digital Nepal Conclave engaged more than 1,000 participants. Together with its research publications and incubation activities, this demonstrates a combination of convening, knowledge production, and practical support for Nepal’s technology ecosystem.
Conclusion
ICT Foundation Nepal combines digital skills training, startup support, policy dialogue, and applied research. For donors and development partners, its published activities offer potential areas for collaboration in digital inclusion, professional education, entrepreneurship, and institutional capacity building. Specific funding arrangements and measurable outcomes should be established at the program level.
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