The village of Chong-Geykha in Chhukha’s Phuentshogling Gewog can expect to get visitors soon. This is because a young native has come up with the idea to start the first homestay in the village. The idea won the best business idea at an entrepreneurial workshop held in Gedu. It was among four business ideas pitched during the five-day iSprint workshop that concluded recently.
Chandra Shekar Chhetri, a native of Chong-Geykha and his five friends, all students of the College of Science and Technology, have received Nu 100,000 as seed money to start the homestay.
Chandra Shekar Chhetri is currently constructing a house in his village and as per their plan, that house will be turned into a homestay.
He says on average about three government officials visit his village in a week and a few tourists in a month.
“Back in my village, I saw many guests coming to our village but they find it difficult to get a proper place to spend the night. That’s how I got this idea of starting a homestay. I had a plan to build a homestay but I had no idea of business and finance.”
About 20 students from the Gedu College of Business Studies and the College of Science and Technology, and a few local entrepreneurs from Chhukha attended the workshop. The participants were divided into four groups. From online delivery services to making cornflakes and marketing organic vegetables, the groups pitched various business ideas.
The participants were also taught about the concepts of design thinking, marketing and finance during the workshop.
“Being a technical student, I did not have a good background in entrepreneurship. But then this five-day training was so helpful that it helped me pitch my ideas in a very effective way, to the market and audience,” said Yangki Selden Wangchuk, a participant.
“Our main goal is to promote entrepreneurship, and business along with social impact so that it can have a ripple impact in the community also. Our main focus is promoting people with ideas that not only have financial benefits but also the economy, the environment and in terms of social aspects,” said Poonam Pradhan, Senior Social Enterprise Officer of Innovate Bhutan, YDF.
The winning team will also get a working space in Thimphu, and the Innovate Bhutan office will provide mentorship.
Kinley Dem, Chhukha
Edited by Tshering Zam
