Reflections from International Youth Day 2025

I had the privilege of joining a panel discussion organised by Rastriya Swatantra Party, led by MP Dr. Toshima Karki, on International Youth Day. One question really struck me:

👉 “Why do Nepali startups make noise for 3 - 5 years and then crash? Is it because of policy or funding?”

My response was simple, but layered: it’s the mindset of the consumers.

In Nepal, many people still place more trust in services and brands that come from abroad. In healthcare, for example, psychiatrists and therapists from outside Nepal are often valued more than professionals within our own communities. 

This bias, coupled with the stigma of using basic services like mental healthcare, makes it extremely difficult for local startups to sustain, even when there is good policy or funding support.

🌱 For startups to thrive long-term, we need more than just funding or policy. We need:

👉 A cultural shift in consumer trust towards local talent and solutions.

👉 Education that normalizes essential services like mental healthcare.

👉 Platforms that give local professionals the space to practice and grow.

Building resilience for startups is not just about economics, it’s about reshaping how we, as a society, choose to support and trust our own.

💡 On this International Youth Day, I am reminded that youth-led startups are not short-term experiments, but long-term movements. If we nurture trust in our people, our services, and our ideas, Nepal’s startup ecosystem will not just survive, it will thrive globally. 

Taking inspiration from my fellow panellists, I believe that with the right idea and intention, homegrown innovations can reach both rural communities and international markets simultaneously. 

For mental health support, reach Happy Minds +977 9801031443

Link to the LinkedIn post
Author: Shreeya Giri