Nepal’s Shark Tank startup scene lit up the tank again as passionate founders brought their ideas forward. Some walked away with funding, while others faced tough love from the sharks. This episode revealed what it really takes to turn a vision into a viable business.
Mero Coding Class: Equipping kids for the digital future
Mukul Bhatta and Sabin Karki, co-founders of Mero Coding Class, stepped in with a mission to teach Nepali children coding, robotics, and web development. Their hybrid model—working with both schools and direct consumers—showed solid scalability.
They pitched for NPR 30 lakhs in exchange for 10% equity. Impressed by their vision and execution, the sharks countered with a joint offer. A deal was sealed at NPR 60 lakhs for 34% equity—a win for tech-driven education in Nepal.
Shanta Ko Achar: Homemade flavors, tough market
Bringing warmth and nostalgia to the tank, Shanta Chaudhari introduced Shanta Ko Achar, a pickle brand rooted in traditional Nepali recipes. Her passion and personal journey were undeniable, but the sharks flagged concerns over brand clarity, a saturated market, and competing investments.
Despite her compelling pitch, Shanta Ko Achar left without an offer.
Sathi Sanitary Pad: A personal journey turned enterprise
Priya Lamichhane, founder of Shrijansil Mahila Udhyami and the brand Sathi Sanitary Pad, shared her inspiring three-year journey. With an initial loan of NPR 15 lakhs from a development bank, she built a sanitary pad brand aimed at addressing menstrual health with dignity and affordability.
Now valued at NPR 88 lakhs, Sathi Sanitary Pad has expanded to 43 districts across Nepal, leveraging a grassroots network of small outdoor dealers. Although impactful, the pitch did not result in a deal.
SabKo Phone: Ambitious ask, no agreement
The final pitch came from SabKo Phone, a platform selling refurbished smartphones. The founders asked for NPR 2 crores in exchange for 10% equity—a high valuation that drew scrutiny.
Inventory risks, scalability concerns, and valuation doubts held back the sharks. One made a bold counter: NPR 2 crores for 50% equity. But the startup’s counteroffer of 35% didn’t close the gap. No deal was made.
What this episode taught us
These stories reflect the evolving face of Nepali entrepreneurship—bold, diverse, and driven by purpose. Not every pitch resulted in funding, but each one added depth to the startup conversation. The clear takeaway: in business, passion must be backed by proof, and dreams must meet data.
