As the country targets USD 6bn, which is roughly over Nu 500bn, in Foreign Direct Investment by 2029, a new investment platform connected Bhutanese entrepreneurs with potential investors from Denmark. The Druk Den Start-up Competition, held in the capital yesterday, brought together ten projects from Pelsung and scale-up entrepreneurs. They presented their ideas to a Danish delegation led by Bhutan’s Honorary Consul to Denmark.
From early childhood care to waste management and traditional arts, five start-up projects led by Pelsung graduates presented their ideas at the competition.
“The goal of Pelsung in a single sentence is to get Bhutanese youth to become ready to build GMC and 10X Bhutan, and innovation and entrepreneurship plays a very important role. You cannot really have entrepreneurship without having both the advice and money of people who are way more experienced than you are. So, opportunities like this put our Pelsups in front of real investors,” said Phub Dorji, Executive Director, Pelsung.
Five scale-up entrepreneurs from Invest Bhutan also took part in the competition. Their projects ranged from livestock and organic agricultural products to wellness hotel concepts and innovative solar technology solutions.
The participants shared that such platforms allow them to enhance their experiences, while showcasing innovative concepts and attracting funding or mentorship.
“It now creates a platform and an opportunity for Pelsups, and not just Pelsups, but other youths as well, to come up with innovative ideas to transform Bhutan, and to innovate, build, and sustain not only Bhutan, but also contribute to the 21st-century roadmap we have for Bhutan, the Bhutan 10X Lab,” said Yoga Prasad Chapagai, Founder, Kachen.
“Scaling up is where we need additional funds that an individual cannot provide. When we have platforms like this, I feel we are privileged, as they allow us to seek investment from international sources. Otherwise, going abroad to look for investors on our own is expensive,” said Dorji Gyeltshen, Founder, B-Organic.
The one-day competition followed a Shark Tank-style format. Entrepreneurs pitched their ideas to a panel of investors, explained their concepts, and responded to questions to test viability. Interested judges could then offer funding or support in exchange for a share of the business.
At the end of the competition, four projects were selected as winners. Each received USD 2,000 to support their ventures.
“Being among all those well-established entrepreneurs, I wasn’t expecting much. For me, it was just a good exposure, but actually winning felt like a validation of what I’m working toward in the future, and it made me feel like I’m on the right path,” said Seema Chhetri, Founder, Gyensum Learning Hub.
Organisers say this is just the beginning. Promising projects from the competition may go on to receive further investment or mentorship from the visiting delegation.
Kinzang Lhadon
Edited by Sonam Pem
