AIT Nepal 2026/27: StrepUp
Meet Mitesh Shrestha, one of the ten participants in the 2026/27 edition of the Academia-Industry Training Nepal program.
Interview with Mitesh Shrestha
“My applied research addresses the gap between scientific discovery and practical agricultural solutions by developing native microbial technologies that improve crop productivity while reducing dependence on imported agricultural inputs.”
What problem does your startup solve, and why is it important to you personally?
My applied research addresses the gap between scientific discovery and practical agricultural solutions by developing native microbial technologies that improve crop productivity while reducing dependence on imported agricultural inputs. As a researcher, I have seen Nepal’s rich microbial biodiversity remain largely untapped despite its immense potential. This venture is personal because I desire to transform locally generated research into technologies that benefit farmers, strengthen Nepal’s scientific ecosystem, and create lasting impact beyond the laboratory.
What inspired you to become a sciencepreneur, and what has been your biggest “aha!” moment so far?
My inspiration to become a sciencepreneur began with a simple realization: Scientific outputs should not remain limited within the pages of a research journal but become solutions that are applicable to general people. My biggest “aha!” moment was recognizing that scientific innovation without commercialization widens the gap between science and general people. Hence, this inspired me to bridge research and entrepreneurship by transforming Nepal’s rich microbial biodiversity into practical, science-based agricultural technologies with measurable social, economic, and environmental impact.
What unique perspective does your academic background bring to your startup?
My academic background enables me to approach entrepreneurship with scientific rigor. I rely on evidence-based research, systematic experimentation, and continuous validation to develop practical solutions. Working at the intersection of academia, research and entrepreneurship has allowed me to connect scientific-discovery, student-driven innovation, and industry needs, creating technologies that are scalable and designed for real-world applications.
What’s one surprising lesson you’ve learned since launching your startup?
Although my startup is still in its pre-commercial stage, the biggest lesson has been that building a successful science venture required much more than strong research. I initially believed that having the best product would be enough, but over time I have come to realize the importance of recognizing the true customers and their need, partnerships, and designing a sustainable business model are just as critical.
If you could host a dinner with three innovators (past or present), who would they be and why?
I would invite Katalin Karikó, Pam Marrone, and Olga Dubey. Dr. Karikó’s perseverance through years of scientific setbacks inspires me to remain committed to impactful research. Pam Marrone demonstrated how biological innovation can become a successful, publicly listed agricultural enterprise. Olga Dubey’s work in sustainable pre- and post-harvest solutions and her entrepreneurial journey in Switzerland would offer valuable insights into building a science-based venture with global impact.