KATHMANDU, NEPAL — The Nepal Startup Innovation Hackathon 2026 officially commenced today, bringing together 85 of the country’s most promising young minds for an intensive three-day sprint of ideation, mentorship, and prototype building. Organized by Glocal Pvt.Ltd, the event is designed to move beyond theoretical discussion.The event serves as a premier platform for transforming academic potential into tangible socio-economic solutions.

Under the theme “Innovating for Nepal: Local Solutions for National Challenges,” the hackathon features 17 teams selected from a competitive pool of 218 pre-registered applicants, representing a broad spectrum of Nepal’s academic landscape. High school students make up nearly 43% of the participants, while college-level students from both public and private institutions account for the remaining 57%.

A Nationwide Representation

The hackathon boasts significant geographic diversity, uniting talent from across the country. While 70 participants hail from within the Kathmandu Valley and nearby areas (including Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, and Dhulikhel), the event also features 15 dedicated participants from out-of-valley hubs, including Dhangadhi, Butwal, Janakpur, Bardibas, Birgunj, Biratnagar, and Surkhet.

Bridging the Gap Between Vision and Reality

For 72 hours, all the teams were facilitated with different fields of mentors who were there to provide mentorship to refine their ideas into working prototypes. To ensure the technical viability and market relevance of each project, the hackathon provided a specialized mentorship pool of more than 8 industry experts. These mentors were strategically assigned based on the specific themes of the competition, offering tailored guidance to teams throughout an intensive two-day period. During Day 1 and Day 2, participants engaged in one-on-one deep dives with these professionals, receiving critical feedback on everything from technical architecture to socio-economic impact. This extensive mentorship framework ensured that each team had access to high-level expertise, helping them navigate complex challenges and refine their prototypes into sophisticated, real-world solutions.

The hackathon focuses on seven critical pillars of development:

• Digital Inclusion & Access
• Climate Change & Sustainability
• Education & Skill Development
• Agriculture & Rural Development
• Tourism & Cultural Preservation
• Entrepreneurship & Employment
• Health & Well-being

A Platform for the Future

“This hackathon is more than a competition; it is an incubator for the next generation of Nepali entrepreneurs,” said a representative from the organizing committee. “By focusing on local solutions, we are empowering our youth to take ownership of the country’s development through technology and innovation.”

The event came to an end, today on May 12, 2026, after 17 teams delivered their final prototypes and pitched to a panel of distinguished judges. The winning team “TEAM NOVA” where online courses suffer from low engagement and certificates lack “Proof of Work,” we built Leapnode to make learning visible and consistent.  has received a grand prize of Rs. 50,000 to further develop their project, alongside networking opportunities with industry leaders and government stakeholders.

The strength of Leapnode lies in its diverse multidisciplinary foundation, bridging the gap between technical execution and strategic impact. Our development is powered by the “technical grit” of Prashant D and Rahul S, our Frontend Developers, alongside Samin Thapa, who handles the Backend architecture. Complementing this technical core is the strategic vision of Shail M, who spearheads Finance and Marketing, and the academic insight of Ram Krishna B, our lead Researcher. Together, this team combines expertise in Computer Science, Business, and Education to build a solution that is as functionally robust as it is market-ready. 

About the Organizers and Partners

The Nepal Startup Innovation Hackathon 2026 is organized by Glocal, a leading organization dedicated to youth empowerment and bridging the gap between industry requirements and youth capabilities through skill development and entrepreneurship. This initiative is held in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), which oversees the nation’s educational and scientific policies to foster a culture of research and innovation. To ensure the event’s success, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has joined as a partner, while Embark College serves as the Academic Partner,