Press Release
Press Release from the District Administrative Centre, Gangtok
Information & Public Relations Department
The final three days (Day 3 to Day 5) of the Pitching Sessions under the “Strengthening Entrepreneurship Ecosystem” initiative, organized by the District Administrative Centre (DAC), Gangtok, under the banner of Sikkim INSPIRES, were successfully conducted from 18 March to 20 March 2026 at the Mini Conference Hall of the District Administrative Centre, Sichey, Gangtok, marking the successful conclusion of the first year of the pitching sessions for seed funding/challenge fund under Sikkim INSPIRES.
Over the course of five days of engaging and intensive pitching sessions, the program brought together a vibrant group of aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, and creators from across the state. Participants presented a wide range of ideas and ventures, reflecting creativity, passion, and a strong desire to build meaningful and sustainable enterprises. The sessions provided a valuable platform for participants to share their vision, receive constructive feedback, and refine their ideas through meaningful interactions.
As with the earlier sessions, the pitching rounds during Day 3 to Day 5 were attended by a panel of judges consisting of distinguished local entrepreneurs, including Ms. Rinzing Choden, Founder of Agapi Sikkim; Mr. Tenzin Sangpo, Founder of Sikkim Coffee & Local Café; Mr. Dewakar Basnett, Founder of 24hrs Inspired; Mr. Abhimanyu Dhakal, Founder of UUNCHAI Himalayan Food Ltd.; Ms. Sernya Palmo, Founder of Palmo Handicrafts; and Mr. Nitish Poudyal, Marketing Consultant, Commerce & Industries Department. The panel also included guest judge Mr. Prem Prakash, Founder of Sarvahitey. The sessions were also attended by Mr. Tushar G. Nikhare, District Collector, Gangtok, along with special guest Ms. Ganga Pradhan, Retired IAS presently serving as Member, Institute for Transformation of Sikkim (ITS), who sat through the presentations and interacted with the participants, along with various officers from the District Administration, Gangtok, also being present during the sessions.
Throughout the sessions, the energy in the room reflected not just competition, but collaboration, learning, and shared ambition. The panel offered thoughtful feedback and practical suggestions, helping participants strengthen their ideas and move closer to turning them into viable ventures. The five winners of the pitching sessions will be announced shortly; however, the seed funding/challenge fund represents only a small part of a much larger vision to nurture and support entrepreneurship. For those who may not win the seed funding/challenge fund, the District Administration will continue to extend support by connecting them with established entrepreneurs from Sikkim, guiding them in the preparation of DPRs, and helping them access opportunities available through the MSME and Commerce & Industries Department and other future opportunities.
Addressing the gathering at the conclusion of the five-day session, the District Collector, Gangtok, expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude to the panel of judges, the guest judge, and all those involved for their continuous effort, dedication, and support in making the initiative a success. He highlighted the growing importance of entrepreneurship in today’s context, emphasising its role in driving innovation, creating opportunities, and shaping the future of the state.
He further shared that this initiative is not the end but just the beginning of a longer entrepreneurial journey, reaffirming the commitment of the District Administrative Centre, Gangtok. He further assured that the administration will continue to support, connect, and guide them by sharing future opportunities and creating an enabling environment for growth. He emphasised that sustained efforts will be made to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and support aspiring innovators in the long run.
The District Administration team would like to thank and congratulate all the participants for taking the time to be part of these sessions and encourages them, as well as other aspiring entrepreneurs, to keep moving forward. The team also wishes to share that the DAC will remain open to supporting and assisting them within its capacity. A WhatsApp group will also be created to connect mentors and participants for regular updates, future entrepreneurs’ meets, information sharing, and support among entrepreneurs for strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Over the course of five days of engaging and intensive pitching sessions, the program brought together a vibrant group of aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, and creators from across the state. Participants presented a wide range of ideas and ventures, reflecting creativity, passion, and a strong desire to build meaningful and sustainable enterprises. The sessions provided a valuable platform for participants to share their vision, receive constructive feedback, and refine their ideas through meaningful interactions.
As with the earlier sessions, the pitching rounds during Day 3 to Day 5 were attended by a panel of judges consisting of distinguished local entrepreneurs, including Ms. Rinzing Choden, Founder of Agapi Sikkim; Mr. Tenzin Sangpo, Founder of Sikkim Coffee & Local Café; Mr. Dewakar Basnett, Founder of 24hrs Inspired; Mr. Abhimanyu Dhakal, Founder of UUNCHAI Himalayan Food Ltd.; Ms. Sernya Palmo, Founder of Palmo Handicrafts; and Mr. Nitish Poudyal, Marketing Consultant, Commerce & Industries Department. The panel also included guest judge Mr. Prem Prakash, Founder of Sarvahitey. The sessions were also attended by Mr. Tushar G. Nikhare, District Collector, Gangtok, along with special guest Ms. Ganga Pradhan, Retired IAS presently serving as Member, Institute for Transformation of Sikkim (ITS), who sat through the presentations and interacted with the participants, along with various officers from the District Administration, Gangtok, also being present during the sessions.
Throughout the sessions, the energy in the room reflected not just competition, but collaboration, learning, and shared ambition. The panel offered thoughtful feedback and practical suggestions, helping participants strengthen their ideas and move closer to turning them into viable ventures. The five winners of the pitching sessions will be announced shortly; however, the seed funding/challenge fund represents only a small part of a much larger vision to nurture and support entrepreneurship. For those who may not win the seed funding/challenge fund, the District Administration will continue to extend support by connecting them with established entrepreneurs from Sikkim, guiding them in the preparation of DPRs, and helping them access opportunities available through the MSME and Commerce & Industries Department and other future opportunities.
Addressing the gathering at the conclusion of the five-day session, the District Collector, Gangtok, expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude to the panel of judges, the guest judge, and all those involved for their continuous effort, dedication, and support in making the initiative a success. He highlighted the growing importance of entrepreneurship in today’s context, emphasising its role in driving innovation, creating opportunities, and shaping the future of the state.
He further shared that this initiative is not the end but just the beginning of a longer entrepreneurial journey, reaffirming the commitment of the District Administrative Centre, Gangtok. He further assured that the administration will continue to support, connect, and guide them by sharing future opportunities and creating an enabling environment for growth. He emphasised that sustained efforts will be made to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and support aspiring innovators in the long run.
The District Administration team would like to thank and congratulate all the participants for taking the time to be part of these sessions and encourages them, as well as other aspiring entrepreneurs, to keep moving forward. The team also wishes to share that the DAC will remain open to supporting and assisting them within its capacity. A WhatsApp group will also be created to connect mentors and participants for regular updates, future entrepreneurs’ meets, information sharing, and support among entrepreneurs for strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
