Karvika Thapa to Speak at Harvard University on AI, Startups, and Nepal’s Economic Transformation
15th April 2026, Kathmandu, Nepal
Karvika Thapa, Chairwoman of Simjung, Founder & CEO of Kimbu Tech, Executive Director of VS International College and Co Chairwoman of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) IT Council, has been invited to speak at The Nepal Discourse 2026, a global conference to be held at Harvard University on April 25–26.
Organised by Nepali student organisations at Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), with the support of Leadership Academy Nepal and Kantipur Media Group, the conference marks a significant summit led by Nepali students at Harvard. The Nepal Discourse 2026 will bring together leaders from across sectors to address Nepal’s most pressing structural challenges and emerging opportunities, with a focus on artificial intelligence and the future of work, next-generation leadership, resilient institutions, and diaspora engagement.
Karvika Thapa will participate in Panel 1 titled “From BPO to IPO – Leveraging AI (Emerging Tech) for Startup Acceleration and Economic Leapfrogging.” The session will explore the challenges and opportunities of building and scaling innovative ventures in Nepal, particularly the transition from traditional BPO models to high-growth, technology-driven enterprises. It will also highlight how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies can accelerate startup ecosystems and contribute to broader economic transformation.
The panel will be moderated by Rumee Singh – CE0 & Co Founder of Rumsan and will feature speakers including Prasanna Dhungel, along with representatives from key national institutions. The discussion will focus on operational models, ecosystem actors, policy and capital constraints, and collaborative approaches to solving these challenges through innovation-driven strategies.
Speaking ahead of the event, Karvika Thapa expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity, noting that it is an honour to represent Nepal on a global platform such as Harvard University. She highlighted the importance of leveraging AI and emerging technologies to empower startups, unlock new economic opportunities, and position Nepal for sustainable growth in the global digital economy.
Karvika Thapa’s participation reflects her continued leadership in advancing Nepal’s technology ecosystem, fostering innovation, and supporting the growth of next-generation enterprises.
