Bhutan Startup Launchpad begins with over 100 business ideas

2026-03-18 - 12:22

The country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is gradually becoming more coordinated and systematic. It means the system is now becoming more convenient for aspiring entrepreneurs to start a business. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment and entrepreneurs shared this during the Bhutan Startup Launchpad, which commenced today in Thimphu. Aspiring entrepreneurs registered more than a hundred business ideas for the three-day event. In recent years, the country has noted a shift toward fostering entrepreneurship, with support from the government and international organisations. The number of potential entrepreneurs in the country increased sevenfold between 2018 and 2022. According to a 2026 ADB report, there are over 3,600 entrepreneurs in the country as of today. Bhutan Startup Launchpad aims to drive that number further by guiding aspiring entrepreneurs to develop their ideas into products. “The past few years have been really transitioning from a fragmented approach in entrepreneurship to a more coordinated, systematic and complete support to the whole lifecycle of entrepreneurship. Today, we do a basic entrepreneurship course, which has become a regular annual programme for the ministry, the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship, and the Loden Foundation, all in partnership,” said Tashi Wangmo, Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment. As part of the programme, a panel discussion involving representatives from the government, corporate, and private sectors discussed the state of Bhutan’s start-up ecosystem and opportunities that lie ahead. Panellists said that, unlike in the past, there are now more opportunities with the ongoing development in the country. “The major challenge back then was navigating on our own as individual founders. But now, this is becoming collaborative and supportive,” said Leki Choden, Founder/CEO, Dragon Coders. “We are now the greenest, the safest, the cleanest and the most stable country with access to half of the world’s population. That’s the big mindset shift that GMC has brought, and that is the market for Pelsung and all Bhutanese businesses,” said Phub Dorji, CEO, Nyingnor/ Interim Executive Director, Pelsung. However, additional support is required for startups to sustain. “We as the investment arm of the government, the government itself and all of us should provide that framework and underlying infrastructure for our future economy where Pelsups can thrive, where every innovator can thrive,” said Ujjwal Deep Dahal, CEO, DHI. Furthermore, the Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Employment shared that an entrepreneurship strategy is also being developed to further enhance the startup ecosystem of the country. During the three-day programme, participants will engage in building their capacities guided by expert mentors to sharpen their business ideas and develop projects in teams. After thorough pitching of their projects, six winners will be provided with pre-seed funds and incubation spaces for six months. Through such platforms and hand-holding support, entrepreneurs are expected to drive innovation and employment opportunities in the economy. Kelzang Chhophyel Edited by Phub Gyem