With the theme “Promoting Rural Entrepreneurship by Harnessing Grassroot Innovation”, the Startup Bootcamp—a five-day brisk entrepreneurship training program was held at the Startup Center in Zhemgang from 18th to 22nd December 2024. The event brought together 46 civil servants, local leaders, and entrepreneurs from the Dzongkhag to undergo intensive training.
Designed to build an entrepreneurial mindset, spark creativity, develop practical skills, and foster collaboration, this program represents a significant milestone in advancing innovation, nurturing an entrepreneurial culture, empowering local entrepreneurs, and contributing to Zhemgang’s socio-economic development.
Over the five days, participants gained critical knowledge and tools to initiate entrepreneurial ventures, address challenges with innovative solutions, and create impactful business plans. The program emphasized problem-solving and strategic planning, equipping participants with skills to drive meaningful change and impactful outcome.
The bootcamp aimed to unlock these opportunities, address resource distribution disparities, and support decentralization efforts. By fostering entrepreneurship in rural areas, this event reflects a commitment to ensuring no region is left behind in the nation’s journey toward prosperity. Such initiatives are integral to creating a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, reducing rural-to-urban migration, and showcasing the untapped growth potential within Dzongkhags.
As a part of the event, nine groups (eight Gewogs and one Dzongkhag team) presented their business ideas to a panel of jurors in which winners and runners up were presented with modest prizes. The Goshing Gewog team, presenting the business idea of starting Agar Sang, was declared the winner, followed by the Bardo Gewog team with their Ashom Yumrey (Maize Soup) concept as the first runner-up, and the Shingkhar Gewog team with their idea of starting a fruit candy business as the second runner-up.
Gup Tshering Wangchuk of Bjoka Gewog, shared that this is his 18th year in local governance, and it is the first program of its kind he attended. He added that the experience greatly enhanced his understanding of starting a business, and he looks forward to sharing the knowledge he gained over the five days.
“This bootcamp enhanced my entrepreneurial skills, and I now see opportunities everywhere. We will certainly explore launching the business we developed during this bootcamp,” said Ms. Rinchen Pelzom, Gewog Administrative Officer of Phangkhar Gewog. Similarly, Mr. Singye, an entrepreneur, remarked that programs like this are essential for fostering an entrepreneurial culture and shifting mindsets. He also noted that the lessons on financial aspects was beneficial for him.
Despite being one of the least developed Dzongkhags, Zhemgang possesses immense potential in agri-food, tourism and forestry-based enterprises. Aligning with the national vision, the Dzongkhag has set its focus on economic development with a vision to uplift the people from poverty and transform the Dzongkhag into a prosperous Dzongkhag by 2034. Chief among the seven key strategies is promotion of an entrepreneurship culture, startups and private sector in the Dzongkhag.
The event was organized and conducted by the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship, MoICE in collaboration with Startup Center, Zhemgang Dzongkhag Administration through ESP funding.
