Co-founder | Nepal STEM Alliance | VI Cohort | Education Technology
Nepal STEM Alliance: Transforming Technology Education for Nepal's Future
Co-founded by Diperson Shrestha, Nepal STEM Alliance (NSA) is an education technology (EdTech) social enterprise dedicated to equipping school students across Nepal with practical digital literacy, coding, artificial intelligence, and computational thinking skills. Driven by the belief that quality education should empower every learner, NSA is working to bridge the gap between Nepal's traditional education system and the rapidly evolving demands of the digital economy.
Diperson's entrepreneurial journey is deeply rooted in his own educational experience. As a student, he struggled to thrive within Nepal's rote learning system, where memorization often overshadowed understanding. His perspective changed after discovering computers, which transformed the way he learned and inspired a lifelong passion for technology. This experience ultimately led him to pursue a career in computer science education, where he spent several years teaching and mentoring students while developing a deeper understanding of the country's education system.
In 2022, despite having a promising teaching career with opportunities for professional advancement and plans to pursue opportunities abroad, Diperson made the difficult decision to leave the security of traditional employment and join forces with entrepreneur Sushil Budhathoki to scale Nepal STEM Alliance. Motivated by a shared vision of transforming technology education nationwide, they chose entrepreneurship as a pathway to create systemic change rather than remain within the limitations of the existing education system.
Nepal STEM Alliance was established to address critical gaps in Nepal's education sector. While digital skills are becoming increasingly essential, many schools continue to rely on outdated curricula that provide limited practical exposure. Even where technology subjects are formally assessed, students often graduate without acquiring meaningful hands-on skills. Recognizing this disconnect, NSA introduced internationally recognized, gamified learning platforms and practical STEM education models designed to make technology learning engaging, relevant, and competency-based.
Rather than pursuing rapid expansion, the enterprise spent its initial years piloting programs, validating delivery models, and understanding the needs of schools and educators. This deliberate approach laid the foundation for sustainable growth and measurable impact.
Today, Nepal STEM Alliance has emerged as one of Nepal's leading EdTech initiatives, reaching more than 8,000 students across the country. Of these, 4,000 students have participated through free outreach initiatives such as Hour of Code and Week of Code, while 2,000 students have enrolled in structured premium learning programs. An additional 2,000 students were reached within the past year alone, including 1,200 public school students through partnerships with Nagarjun and Budhanilkantha Municipalities, 600 students across two additional schools, and 200 participants through specialized training programs.
Beyond student outreach, the enterprise has trained over 100 teachers, expanded its services to 12 cities, organized four national coding competitions, generated USD 105,000 in revenue, and created employment opportunities for more than 50 individuals. Impact assessments further indicate that over 80 percent of participating students found the learning experience engaging, while 70 percent reported increased confidence in applying digital skills.
The journey, however, was far from straightforward. During the early stages, the team approached nearly 500 schools expecting strong interest in digital learning solutions, only to discover that many institutions had limited understanding of EdTech and its potential value. Rather than viewing this as a setback, Diperson treated it as an opportunity to better understand the education ecosystem. The enterprise refined its business model, redesigned its market engagement strategy, and strengthened its understanding of educational leadership. Simultaneously, Diperson pursued a Master's degree in Education, enabling him to align technological innovation with the practical realities of Nepal's school system.
The unwavering support of his family also played a crucial role in the enterprise's development. Their encouragement and financial investment provided the confidence and stability needed to transition from a secure teaching career to building a mission-driven startup capable of creating long-term educational impact.
Social impact remains central to Nepal STEM Alliance's mission. Free initiatives such as Hour of Code and Week of Code continue to expand digital learning opportunities for students regardless of their socioeconomic background. Partnerships with local governments have improved access to quality technology education in public schools, while awareness campaigns, community outreach programs, and educational content produced in collaboration with Nepal's Education Division have reached more than 30,000 learners.
Participation in the Nabil School of Social Entrepreneurship (Nabil SSE) marked a significant milestone in the enterprise's growth. While Diperson possessed strong technical and educational expertise, the fellowship strengthened his capabilities in finance, sales, business strategy, legal compliance, cash flow management, and organizational leadership. Equally important, the program connected him with mentors and a network of fellow entrepreneurs who continue to support the enterprise's strategic growth. The experience enabled him to evolve from an educator with a vision into an entrepreneur capable of building a scalable, mission-driven enterprise.
Today, Nepal STEM Alliance continues to expand through new government collaborations, stronger institutional partnerships, and growing recognition within Nepal's education ecosystem. Looking ahead, the enterprise aims to reach 20,000 students by 2028 and 100,000 students by 2030, with a long-term vision of making high-quality technology education accessible to every learner, regardless of geography or socioeconomic background.
Diperson's journey demonstrates how personal adversity can inspire systemic innovation. By transforming his own educational challenges into a mission to improve learning opportunities for thousands of young people, he is helping shape a future where technology education equips every student with the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to thrive in the digital age.