The nationwide Code for Impact hackathon series officially kicked off on January 18–19 in Butwal, Lumbini Province, marking the first leg of a seven-province innovation tour aimed at advancing technology-driven solutions to some of Nepal’s most pressing development challenges.

In the provincial round, where teams compete locally with up to five teams selected from each province, two health-sector teams from Lumbini—Team Galaxen and Team Rx Sentinel—were chosen as semifinalists. Their selection highlights promising, technology-enabled approaches focused on improving health outcomes in Nepal. The programme will now move on to engage innovators across the remaining six provinces through a series of upcoming hackathons.

The Butwal hackathon was inaugurated in the presence of representatives from the US Embassy in Nepal, including Mike Harker, Chief of the Public Affairs Section, along with mentors and ecosystem leaders from global and national technology firms active in Nepal. These included Fuse Machines, SecurityPal, Genese, Tangible and CNI IT, among others.

Led by Aadyanta Advisory and the US Embassy in Nepal, in partnership with AmCham Nepal and Aadyanta Fund Management, Code for Impact aims to engage more than 175 young innovators nationwide, including students, early-career professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs.

The six-month programme combines intensive provincial hackathons with hands-on mentorship, seed funding, and post-hackathon pathways to incubation and investment linkages.

“Nepal’s young people hold their own among the most creative and capable problem-solvers in the region,” said Mike Harker. “Through Code for Impact, the United States is proud to support a platform that brings advanced technology tools, mentorship and opportunity directly to youth across the country, well beyond Kathmandu. This initiative reflects the strength of the US–Nepal partnership and our shared commitment to accelerating innovation, skills development and sustainable economic growth that benefits Nepalis and American businesses.”

Designed for national reach and accessibility, the hackathon series will continue on January 22-23 in Pokhara; January 26-27 in Dhangadi and Biratnagar; January 30-31 in Janakpur; January 31–February 1 in Surkhet; and February 5–6 in Kathmandu, ensuring participation from diverse geographic and socio-economic contexts.

The initiative focuses on addressing locally grounded challenges in priority sectors such as education, health, agriculture and food security, tourism and wellness, and digital commerce and financial empowerment.

Solutions are developed using ethical artificial intelligence, human-centred design and globally recognised technology platforms. Mentors include experienced founders, technologists and ecosystem leaders committed to nurturing Nepal’s next generation of innovators.

“Strong tech ecosystems, Silicon Valley included, are built on shared knowledge, constant experimentation and a willingness to trust bold, hardworking talent with the resources to succeed,” said Pukar Hamal, founder of SecurityPal and a mentor and partner in the initiative.

“Creating those conditions in Nepal—while also elevating visibility for our tech capabilities through efforts like the ‘Silicon Peaks’ branding—is how we turn ideas into globally competitive companies.”