Online nominations for the 10th edition of the ICT Award, one of the most prestigious recognitions in Nepal’s information and communication technology sector, officially opened today, Shrawan 1.
Organized annually by Living with ICT since 2016, this year’s edition includes 15 different categories. Nominations can be submitted either by the candidates themselves or recommended by individuals or organizations on their behalf.
The award covers technology-sector startups, innovations, and products, as well as digital-transformation efforts of public and private institutions. Likewise, this award honors individuals based on their contributions to the information and communication technology sector.
Not only in Nepal, but the ICT Award is also expanding internationally. For the past three years, it has been running the ‘South Asia Startup Award’ targeting South Asian countries, and it also collaborates with other international awards, including the WSA.
After six months of special preparation, the ICT Award Grand Finale will be held in the first week of Poush. The grand finale, which will include online nominations, more than 25 selection‐process meetings, dozens of pre-events, and a television show, will be organized as Nepal’s largest and most grandiose award ceremony.
To select the best in the 15 award categories, there will be 20 expert jury members at the national and international levels, and an advisory committee of more than 12 distinguished persons from the government and private sectors will be formed.
Since its inception, the ICT Award has been held each year in refined and expanded form. For the past two years, the organizers have also honored outstanding startups from all seven provinces through the ‘Provincial ICT Startup Recognition.’ This year as well, a Startup Fest, hackathon, and television show covering startups and innovations from all seven provinces will be conducted.
In Category A, the award categories are Startup ICT Award, Product ICT Award, Rising Star Innovation ICT Award, and Social Innovation ICT Award. In these categories, competitors must register their applications themselves.
In Category B, nominations are accepted based on the contributions made to society and the nation in the ICT sector. Under this category are the Pioneer ICT Award, Professional Excellence ICT Award, Entrepreneurs ICT Award, Women Icon ICT Award, and Nepali Diaspora ICT Award. In these categories, nominations can be registered by the individual themselves or by anyone else mentioning the person’s details.
Similarly, in Category C, nominations will be taken by reviewing the digital-transformation efforts and practices of public and private institutions. Under this are the Digital Governance ICT Award, Digital Education ICT Award (Public Sector), Digital Education ICT Award (Private Sector), Digital Services ICT Award (Enterprise Sector), and Digital Services ICT Award (Neo Sector).
Likewise, in Category D, the South Asia Startup ICT Award, startups from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Afghanistan can apply.
Online applications have opened for all these award categories today. According to the organizers of Living with ICT, nominations can be registered online via the award’s official website, www.ictaward.org. Nominations will remain open until 31st of Shrawan.
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How to apply for the ICT Award?
For the ICT Award 2025, online nominations have been opened in 15 categories. For each category, to select the best, at least five stages of selection processes will be conducted by a 20-member expert jury.
- Startup ICT Award 2025
This award promotes and encourages companies working in the IT product, service, and innovation sector. It requires that participating companies be registered and operating under Nepal’s prevailing laws. Companies registered within the past five years may apply in this category. - Product ICT Award 2025
In the ICT Product Award, any Nepali company, institution, group, or individual who has developed an IT or innovative product can register a nomination. IT products publicly released from 2081 B.S. to Asar 2082 B.S. can be nominated in this category. - Rising Star Innovation ICT Award 2025
In the Rising Star Innovation ICT Award, college and university students and youths under 30 may submit nominations for their industry project research, ideas, innovations, and products. - Social Innovation ICT Award 2025
The Social Innovation ICT Award is to promote innovations occurring in the social sector. Innovations and digital initiatives that have a positive impact on society and the nation, developed and used by governmental bodies, development partners, social organizations, and entrepreneurs over the past five years, will be included in this category. - Professional Excellence ICT Award 2025
In the Professional Excellence ICT Award category, any IT professional with at least five years of experience in the ICT sector, recognized for their contributions, expertise, and work across various tech domains, may apply. - Pioneer ICT Award 2025
This award is presented to senior individuals who have made distinguished contributions in the information and communication technology sector. Applicants must have at least 20 years of contribution and work experience. - Nepali Diaspora ICT Award 2025
Persons of Nepali origin living abroad, who have contributed to Nepal’s digital ecosystem, society, and nation through ICT, may register their nominations in this category. - Entrepreneurs ICT Award 2025
The Entrepreneurs ICT Award is given to active Nepali entrepreneurs in the information and communication technology sector. A minimum of seven years of experience as an ICT entrepreneur is required for nomination. - Women Icon ICT Award 2025
The Women Icon ICT Award targets Nepali women active in the information and communication technology sector. Entrepreneurs, leaders, professionals, and women who have done exemplary work in the ICT field may register their nominations. - Digital Governance ICT Award 2025
In this category, governmental bodies, authorities, departments, agencies, or local municipalities that digitize public services and facilities to provide citizens with technology-friendly services may register nominations. - Digital Education ICT Award (Public Sector) 2025
The Digital Education ICT Award (Public Sector) recognizes government and community educational institutions that, through ICT, have made the education sector modern and technology-friendly by implementing exemplary work in teaching, learning, and management. - Digital Education ICT Award (Private Sector) 2025
The Digital Education ICT Award (Private Sector) recognizes private educational institutions that, through ICT, have made the education sector modern and technology-friendly by implementing exemplary work in teaching, learning, and management. - Digital Services ICT Award 2025 (Enterprise Sector)
In this category, private-sector corporate institutions, limited companies, or firms that provide services to the general public, modernizing their traditional service systems and focusing on delivering services through technology, such as companies, banks and financial institutions, hospitals and health centers, insurance, and corporations may participate in the nomination process. - Digital Services ICT Award 2025 (Neo Sector)
In this category, technology-based digital platforms (digital systems, applications, websites) providing services may apply. Private companies and institutions offering services to the public through technology, different from traditional services, may participate in the nomination process. - South Asia Startup ICT Award 2025
In this category, startups from South Asian countries- India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Nepal may participate. Startups up to five years old may register nominations in this category.
In addition to these award categories, the programme will also feature bootcamps, exhibitions and provincial “Best Startup” recognitions across all seven provinces. To participate, please visit the official website at www.ictaward.org, log in to your account, provide the requisite details, and submit the nomination form.
