The grand finale of the “inDrive ICT Award 2025,” held in association with NepalPay QR, TingTing powered by Sasto Tickets, MIT, and KMC, concluded its tenth edition at The Plaza in Pulchowk, Lalitpur.
The event, jointly organized by Living with ICT and ICT Foundation Nepal, presented awards across 17 categories to startups, innovators, entrepreneurs, individuals, and organizations that have excelled in the technology sector. The opening ceremony featured Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagdish Kharel as the chief guest, while the closing ceremony was attended by Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies Anil Kumar Sinha. Special guests included chiefs of various constitutional commissions, Vice-Chair Dr. Prakash Kumar Shrestha of the National Planning Commission, and Chief Secretary Samunraj Aryal.
The event brought together senior officials from various ministries, departments, and agencies of the Government of Nepal, as well as entrepreneurs, CEOs, and over 1,500 distinguished ICT sector personalities, both domestically and internationally. The award ceremony, celebrated with grandeur, was broadcast live by Himalaya Television.
More than 750 online nominations were received for the awards, and an 18-member jury, along with a 16-member advisory committee, completed the selection process over four months. This year’s awards saw participation from startups both in Nepal and abroad.
In the individual categories, the Nepali Diaspora ICT Award was awarded to Dinesh Silwal, while Bibhushan Bista received the Entrepreneur ICT Award. Dr. Allen Baulochan Tuladhar received the Pioneer ICT Award; Ramkrishna Pariyar received the Professional Excellence ICT Award; and Munni Rajbhandari received the Woman Icon ICT Award.
In the institutional categories, the Digital Governance ICT Award went to the Social Security Fund, the Digital Services ICT Award (Enterprise Sector) was awarded to NMB Bank, and the Digital Services ICT Award (Neo Sector) was won by Ambition Guru. The Digital Education ICT Award (Public Sector) went to Narayani Secondary School in Chitwan, while Kopila Valley School in Surkhet received the Digital Education ICT Award (Private Sector).
In the startup and innovation categories, Arkbo Technologies Pvt. Ltd. won the inDrive Startup ICT Award; QuickCCA received the Product ICT Award; MindBridge was honored with the Rising Star Innovation ICT Award; Kataho won the Social Innovation ICT Award; and Trip Turbo Pvt. Ltd. was presented with the Public Choice ICT Award for Hamro Pay. The Jury Mention ICT Award was given to Vayudrishti, and the South Asia Startup ICT Award went to PriyoShop from Bangladesh.
Outstanding startups from all seven provinces were recognized under the Province Startup ICT Recognition 2025. These include Medicab Technologies Pvt. Ltd. from Koshi Province; Janaki Soft International Pvt. Ltd. from Madhesh Province; Cloud Mandap Pvt. Ltd. from Bagmati Province; Brand Builder Pvt. Ltd. from Gandaki Province; Golden Technosoft IT Solution from Lumbini Province; Everest Wireless Network Pvt. Ltd. from Karnali Province; and Busy Infotex Pvt. Ltd. from Sudurpashchim Province.
Razan Lamsal, founder and chairperson of the ICT Award, mentioned in his welcome remarks that the organization has been working for ten years to identify, connect, and build an ecosystem for those striving to create an impact within the country. He emphasized the government's role as the primary driver of ICT development and urged further encouragement for the private sector.
Minister Jagdish Kharel highlighted that within three months of the new government taking office, an AI Council and an AI Center had already been established. He also stated that the government is proceeding with a digital roadmap, emphasizing that Nepal cannot advance without ICT, and urged the selection of leadership capable of advancing the vision of Digital Nepal in the upcoming elections.
Minister Anil Kumar Sinha acknowledged that ICT has become essential for competitive and sustainable industrial development, stating that the ICT Award program supports the growth of the ICT industry and promotes it internationally. Vice-Chair of the National Planning Commission, Dr. Prakash Kumar Shrestha, noted that ICT has been prioritized in the 16th Plan and expressed confidence that Nepal can compete globally in the ICT sector.
Radhika Aryal, Secretary of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, stated that information technology has become a critical foundation for national development, good governance, and social transformation. Mark Tully, Asia-Pacific Director of inDrive, remarked that inDrive continuously supports the development of Nepal’s technology ecosystem and that programs like the ICT Award empower innovators to showcase their capabilities.
Guru Prasad Paudel, spokesperson for Nepal Rastra Bank, emphasized the contributions of ICT Foundation Nepal and noted that the Bank is focusing on tech-friendly services, the digital economy, and digital literacy. Award winners received trophies and certificates in recognition of their accomplishments.
Winners received software licenses from Tigg, USD 5,000 worth of AWS credits from IT Global, and attractive gifts from Studio Home. The Rising Star Innovation category winner also received an AI scholarship from Sunway College.
Winners of the ICT Award 2025
- inDrive Startup ICT Award: Arkbo Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
- Product ICT Award: QuickCCA
- Rising Star ICT Award: MindBridge
- Social Innovation ICT Award: Kataho
- Hamro Pay Public Choice ICT Award: Trip Turbo Pvt. Ltd.
- Jury Mention ICT Award: Vayudrishti
- Woman Icon ICT Award: Munni Rajbhandari
- Pioneer ICT Award: Dr. Allen Baulochan Tuladhar
- Entrepreneur ICT Award: Bibhushan Bista
- Nepali Diaspora ICT Award: Dinesh Silwal
- Professional Excellence ICT Award: Ramkrishna Pariyar
- Digital Education ICT Award (Private Sector): Kopila Valley School, Surkhet
- Digital Education ICT Award (Public Sector): Narayani Secondary School, Chitwan
- Digital Services ICT Award (Enterprise Sector): NMB Bank
- Digital Services ICT Award (Neo Sector): Ambition Guru
- Digital Governance ICT Award: Social Security Fund
- South Asia Startup ICT Award: PriyoShop, Bangladesh
- Outstanding Provincial Startups (Koshi to Sudurpashchim): Medicab Technologies Pvt. Ltd.; Janaki Soft International Pvt. Ltd.; Cloud Mandap Pvt. Ltd.; Brand Builder Pvt. Ltd.; Golden Technosoft IT Solution; Everest Wireless Network Pvt. Ltd.; Busy Infotex Pvt. Ltd.
