United Ignite 2.0: Empowering Young Entrepreneurs
Oct 16th, 2025
Category - Blogs
United Ignite 2.0: Empowering Young Entrepreneurs
What is United Ignite?
United Ignite is a flagship initiative of the United Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Incubation (UCEII) at United College. It is a platform designed to empower students to pitch innovative business ideas, receive expert mentorship, and compete for recognition, funding, and further development opportunities.
United Ignite is a full entrepreneurial journey. Participants move through several stages - from idea submission and screening to mentorship sessions and a final live pitch in front of experienced judges. The goal is not only to identify the best ideas but to help students refine their thinking, develop practical business models, and gain confidence in presenting their solutions to real-world problems.
Winners of United Ignite receive certificates and cash prizes, while teams with strong potential may receive up to Rs. 5,00,000 in seed funding to bring their ventures to life. Furthermore, select teams are given opportunities to sell their business ideas or represent United College at national-level competitions.
United Ignite 2.0 (2025)
Building on the success of its first edition, United Ignite 2.0 was hosted in 2025 in collaboration with Idea Studio Nepal, expanding its reach and impact. This season attracted a diverse range of student participants who brought forward socially conscious, sustainable, and creative business ideas.
Here are the top-performing teams of United Ignite 2.0:
1st Place - Kritiya
Team Member: Shivika Shrestha
Project Overview: Kritiya offers custom rhinestone embellishments on traditional products such as sarees, potli bags, shawls, shoes, and puja thali covers. The idea blends traditional artistry with modern design, offering customized and culturally rich fashion accessories.
Award: Rs. 15,000 + Certificate
2nd Place - Maya Ghar
Team Members: Nirjala Maharjan & Pratisara Shakya
Project Overview: Maya Ghar is a culturally-rooted elderly day care center that provides a supportive and enriching environment for elders during the day. It addresses the growing need for senior care in urban settings with compassion and community values.
Award: Rs. 10,000 + Certificate
3rd Place - Thailo
Team Members: Smriti Rai & Jharana Chaulagain
Project Overview: Thailo focuses on the sustainable production of paper bags as an alternative to plastic. This eco-friendly initiative aims to promote environmental responsibility while creating local employment opportunities.
Award: Rs. 5,000 + Certificate
Organized in collaboration with Idea Studio Nepal, this edition of United Ignite took the energy and excitement of student entrepreneurship to the next level, providing budding changemakers with the tools, guidance, and opportunities to turn their innovative ideas into reality.
From Campus to National Stage: College Idea Hunt
Top teams from United Ignite 2.0 were selected to represent United College at the College Idea Hunt, a national-level idea pitching competition organized by Idea Studio Nepal. Competing against students from across the country, two of United College’s teams ranked among the Top 10 nationwide-a remarkable achievement.
National Finalist Teams from United College:
VedaSugandha
Team Members: Pratyusha Ghimire & Jenisha Bajracharya
Idea: Eco-friendly incense sticks made from a sacred blend of cow dung and repurposed temple flowers. The project promotes sustainability while preserving cultural rituals.
Naya Straws
Team Members: Subham Kharel & Shreedip Shah
Idea: 100% natural and biodegradable straws made from wheat stems -an innovative solution to reduce single-use plastic consumption.
These teams were mentored by UCEII, United College throughout their journey, from local competition stages to national-level presentations. Their ideas stood out for originality, social impact, and practical viability. It is not just a win for the teams but also for UCEII’s mission to nurture innovation, empower students, and foster entrepreneurial confidence.
Beyond the Competition: Building a Culture of Innovation
Since its establishment in 2022, UCEII has been instrumental in promoting innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship at United College. United Ignite is one of its cornerstone initiatives, offering students a platform to explore real-world problems and develop business solutions that are both impactful and sustainable.
The journey of each team from brainstorming to pitching involved not only creativity but also extensive research, market analysis, and presentation skills. Participants gained first-hand experience in developing business plans, facing tough questions, and thinking on their feet.
Through workshops, mentorship, and exposure to investors and professionals, UCEII has succeeded in building a strong entrepreneurial culture on campus - one where students are encouraged to think independently and take bold steps toward building their own ventures.
Conclusion
The success of United Ignite 2.0 has paved the way for an even more ambitious Season 3 ‘United Ignite 3.0’. With increased participation, stronger partnerships, and deeper mentorship programs, UCEII is committed to taking student entrepreneurship to new heights.
United Ignite is more than a competition - it is a movement. A movement that inspires students to dream big, act boldly, and create solutions that matter. With each edition, the bar is raised, and the message becomes clearer: the future belongs to those who innovate.