Why do most new businesses in Nepal seem to be cafés, chiya pasals, or clothing stores?
I've been wondering about this for a while.
Whenever I see a new business opening in Nepal, it's often another café, clothing shop (kapada pasal), restaurant, or chiya pasal. Of course, these businesses can be profitable, but why don't we see more people trying different or innovative business ideas?
Is it because of:
Lack of innovative ideas?
Lack of capital or access to funding?
Fear of losing money?
Lack of proper business knowledge?
Limited market size in Nepal?
Or are these businesses simply safer because the demand is already there?
And another question: Are Nepali entrepreneurs actually less willing to take risks, or does Nepal's business environment make taking risks too expensive?
Would love to hear from people who are running a business, planning to start one, or have experience with startups in Nepal.
What do you guys think is the biggest reason?
Posted Aug 12, 2026, 10:47 AM UTC