August 27: Coca-Cola Nepal, in partnership with Atelier Platform, successfully completed the Saksham 2.0 “Young Women Entrepreneurs Accelerator and Mentorship Programme.”

Issuing a recent statement, the company said this initiative forms a significant component of Coca-Cola Nepal’s Women Empowerment Programme, Saksham, which aims to offer comprehensive support and guidance to women-led startups and potential ventures in Nepal.

According to the company, they received applications from 1000+ women entrepreneurs from Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan district for the programme.

Coca-Cola further said that they selected eight finalists from the pool of applicants, based on their innovative concepts and potential for the idea’s success.

The selected finalists included Brinda Dewan of Kehikrafts, Menuka Gurung of Duluwa Outdoors, Prakriti Basyal of South and Southeast Project, Rashi Maharjan of Learners Room, Rozina Baral of Searched, Sarala Maharjan of Sakal Naturo – Multi Purpose Cleaner, Shanti Rai of Greenspace Nepal and Yaju Maharjan of Swachha Mahinawari.

Ritu Gurung, founder of Atelier Platform, expressed her contentment with the programme, stating, “Through the Atelier Programme and our collaboration with Coca-Cola for Saksham 2.0, we are paving a path where young female entrepreneurs can cultivate their aspirations into reality, rather than merely dreaming about them. These entrepreneurs are crafting a dynamic canvas of success, fueled by their unwavering determination and enriched by knowledge. Every brushstroke of ambition paints an incredible portrait of empowered women propelling business innovation and transformation.”

According to Coca-Cola Nepal, the Saksham Training Programme concluded on August 18 at Maya Manor Boutique Hotel, Hattisar in Kathmandu.

Different innovative concepts and business plans from women entrepreneurs were presented before a jury consisting of accomplished professionals. The panel of judges consisted of Prasanna Basnet, founder of Cotton Mill Nepal; Sneh Rajbhandari, public affairs, communication and sustainability director at Coca-Cola Beverages Nepal; and Trishagni Shakya, executive director of KGH Group.

After a thorough evaluation by the judges, Menuka Gurung of Duluwa Outdoors, Rashi Maharjan of Learner’s Room and Sarala Maharjan of Sakal Naturo Multi-Purpose Cleaner were declared the winners and received a monetary reward of Rs 100,000 each. The top three winners were granted equal financial support to propel their initiatives forward and bring them closer to their goals.

"The Young Women Entrepreneurs Accelerator and Mentorship Programme exemplify our commitment to fostering women's entrepreneurship and contributing to sustainable growth in Nepal. Empowering female entrepreneurs is essential for the holistic development of communities and economies and we are immensely grateful for your continuous support that motivates us to keep conducting such progressive projects," the statement quoted Deepak Senthil Nath, managing director of Bottlers Nepal Limited, as saying.

By investing in women’s economic empowerment, Coca-Cola said the company has created a shared value in hopes of a better shared future - enabling improved livelihoods for women, their families and their communities, while inclusively expanding their business. 

“We are proud of the ripple effects that this partnership with Atelier Platform have had on the  lives we have touched and will continue to have over the years to come, propelling Nepal’s entrepreneurial landscape to higher heights,” the statement added.