DRRM Private Sector Innovation Challenge: PSIC is in search of innovative and sustainable solutions to disaster management in Nepal

Background and context

Nepal is prone to a range of natural disasters, including floods, landslides, fires, earthquakes, and disease outbreaks. In the wake of recent tragedies in the country, including the massive 2015 Gorkha earthquake, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has established a flagship disaster preparedness and response program for Nepal. Tayar Nepal — Improved Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Project is strengthening the capacity of Nepal’s national and subnational institutions responsible for disaster risk reduction, preparedness, and response.

Private Sector Innovation Challenge

TAYAR Nepal has envisioned a task — DRRM Private Sector Innovation Challenge (PSIC) with the main objective to involve the private sector in the search for significant and long-term solutions to Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Nepal.

The project intends to increase awareness of entrepreneurship opportunities in the DRRM space. This project is a great opportunity for the private sector to create a direct relationship with potential customers, consumers and suppliers about their goods/services as well as play a proactive role in educating the public about disaster resilience and preparedness.

During the course of the project, we will invite, shortlist and select potential startups/existing businesses, who will go through an intensive bootcamp and come up with an innovative, commercially viable and scalable business model that will directly or indirectly have a positive impact on disaster risk reduction and management. The Bootcamp will end with a pitching event where the participants will present their businesses in front of a panel of jury amongst other attendees.

Along with mentoring and networking opportunities, In addition, some deserving businesses will be provided with opportunities for financial investment.

Phases

The project has been divided into 3 major phases:

Phase 1: Call for applications

Phase 2: Shortlisting and selection

• Primary shortlisting: Based on eligibility
• Secondary shortlisting: Based on answers/details in the application form, evaluated by the selection committee.
• Final selection: Based on a one-to-one interview with the selection committee

Phase 3: Bootcamp and final pitching event

Who can participate?

1. Startups: Anyone with just an idea or have recently started a business.
2. Existing Businesses: Businesses with less than 5 years of operations.

Note:

• The ideas/businesses will need to have an impact on disaster management.
• Existing businesses over 5 years can also apply, but those applicants will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Important dates

• 21 February — 21 March: Call for applications
• 22 March — 10 April: Shortlisting and selection
• 17 April — 21 April: 5-day bootcamp
• 22 April: Final pitching event

Application Form

You can click the following links to the application form:

1. Form for Startups
2. Form for Existing Business

Contact Us

Please write to us at drrmpsic@gmail.com | Phone Number: 9843743304 |www.facebook.com/drrmpsic | www.instagram.com/psic