TBC Hosts Harvard Health Hackathon Regional Hub for the First Time in Nepal

Kathmandu, 6^th April 2026 – The TBC Incubation Centre at The British College, Kathmandu, successfully served as a regional hub for the Harvard Health Hackathon, the 7th Annual Health Systems Innovation Hackathon—an initiative of the Health Systems Innovation Lab under the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Held at the TBC Conference Hall in Kathmandu, the event brought together 18 registered teams, where innovators assembled to address pressing health system challenges. Marking a significant milestone for Nepal’s innovation ecosystem, this is the first time the globally recognised hackathon has been hosted in the country.

The selection of the TBC Incubation Centre as a regional hub places The British College Kathmandu at the centre of a global health innovation movement, connecting young innovators from Kathmandu to Cambridge, Massachusetts.

A Global Initiative on Nepali Soil

The Harvard Health Hackathon is one of the world’s most prestigious health innovation platforms, designed to empower innovators to develop impactful and scalable solutions to critical global health system challenges.

In its 7th edition, the hackathon expanded to Nepal for the first time in collaboration with the National Technology Innovation Centre (NTIC) at Kathmandu University, which serves as the National Hub.

The TBC Incubation Centre was selected as a regional hub to identify and nurture promising ideas before they progress to the national stage. Selected teams from the National Hub will advance to the international finals in Boston, USA, in June 2026.

For the TBC Incubation Centre, this represents more than a hosting role—it is a strong validation of its growing reputation as one of Nepal’s leading platforms for student-led innovation and entrepreneurship.

Two Rounds, One Global Destination

The regional pitching event featured two competitive rounds, where participating teams delivered concise three-minute pitches presenting innovative solutions to improve health systems.

The ideas spanned a wide range of areas, including artificial intelligence in diagnostics, assistive technologies, rehabilitation solutions, and community health innovations.

The quality and ambition demonstrated by participants reflected the depth of innovation talent within Nepal’s student and young professional community.

Leadership and Key Voices

The event was formally inaugurated by Rajen Kandel, CEO of The British College Kathmandu, whose remarks set the tone for a day defined by collaboration, ambition, and purpose.

“At The British College, we don’t just deliver education—we create platforms for innovation. Bringing the Harvard Health Hackathon to Nepal reinforces our vision of empowering students to think globally and act locally,” said Amardeep Mandal, Group Head – Marketing.

The closing session featured feedback from the judging panel, followed by a vote of thanks from Ganesh Paudyal, Head of the TBC Incubation Centre. The programme concluded with closing remarks from Arun Kumar Kandel, Country Director of The British College.

 

What This Means for Nepal’s Innovation Ecosystem

Nepal’s participation in the Harvard Health Hackathon signals a maturing innovation ecosystem—one where young innovators are not just consumers of global ideas, but active contributors to global solutions.

The TBC Incubation Centre continues to play a pivotal role in fostering this culture by supporting startups, enabling innovation platforms, and creating opportunities for global collaboration.

The selected team from Nepal’s National Hub will now represent the country in Boston in June 2026, competing on one of the world’s most prestigious innovation stages.