Development Finance · London
Moving
capital to
where it
matters.
Development finance professional based in London. Closing deals, structuring blended finance, deploying capital into frontier markets. Joining London Business School on a full scholarship. Previously raised $8M in equity and closed a $15M senior debt facility for a 40MW solar fund across South Asia.
About
I work in the part of finance where the spreadsheet has a human being at the end of it.
Before London Business School, I spent two years in Kathmandu closing deals and moving capital into places most investors have not yet found. A $15M senior debt facility here, an $8M blended equity raise there. I was the kid who graduated top of his class, received a gold medal from the President of Nepal, and immediately decided the most interesting thing to do next was work in frontier markets. Still no regrets.
Currently
Joining London Business School MFA on a full scholarship. Focused on development finance, climate infrastructure and emerging markets.
Previously
Fundraising and Investor Relations Associate at One to Watch, a Dutch private equity firm deploying blended finance across South Asia.
Recognition
Bidhya Bhusan Gold Medal, awarded by the President of Nepal. National topper, Finance stream, Class of 2024.
Senior debt facility closed for a commercial solar portfolio
Equity raised across catalytic, HNWI and DFI tranches
Founders and entrepreneurs worked with extensively across South Asia
Companies screened, evaluated and consulted across sectors
What I focus on
Development Finance and Blended Capital
Working with DFIs, multilaterals and impact funds to structure capital that crowds in private investment alongside public and concessional finance. The goal is not just a return — it is whether the deal moves the needle for the people at the other end.
Climate Infrastructure and Energy Transition
Financing solar, storage and clean energy projects across frontier and emerging markets, where the need is highest and the capital is hardest to mobilise. My first deal was a 40MW solar fund across South Asia.
Emerging Markets Investing and Private Capital
South Asia is where I have spent my career so far. Nepal, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Places where the right capital structure can unlock growth that would not otherwise happen. This is the work that interests me most.
From the field
Drag to explore →
In life
I co-founded Himalayan Narratives, a children's book publisher with 30+ illustrated books about Nepali culture now in homes across 10 countries, including Barnes and Noble shelves. Our bestseller hit number 52 in Amazon's Best-Selling Children's Books Around the World. I did not expect to be a published author. Life is surprising.
I am genuinely interested in Eastern philosophy, especially Taoism. I find it clarifying in the same way a clean financial model is clarifying — everything unnecessary falls away. I am also a part-time bartender and make what I am told is a very good Negroni. My favourite book right now is May Contain Lies by Alex Edmans.
Outside of work, I co-founded Himalayan Narratives and spend time thinking about Eastern philosophy, mixing drinks, and having conversations that go somewhere unexpected. I believe the best ideas come from curiosity, not certainty.
What people say
Happy clients for a happy life
I've worked with companies across South Asia.
Helping them access finance, loans, consulting and technical assistance. They are not big names. But to me they hold a special place. I was not paid to care about these founders — but I did anyway.
The journey
From Kathmandu to London — building something that matters.
These experiences made me the professional I am today. Every deal, every founder, every late night over a financial model.
AUG 2026 — JUN 2027
London Business School
Master in Financial Analysis · Full Scholarship · London, UK 🇬🇧
SEP 2020 — AUG 2024
Kathmandu University
BBA Finance · CGPA 3.96 · Valedictorian · Gold Medal 🇳🇵
AUG 2024 — JUL 2026
One to Watch
Investment Associate → Fundraising and IR Associate · Netherlands / Nepal 🇳🇱
OCT 2023 — JUL 2024
Youth Innovation Lab
Program Associate · Kathmandu, Nepal 🇳🇵
What I write about
LBS: Global Perspectives, Nepali Dreams
How a collaboration with London Business School changed what I thought was possible, and why frontier markets keep pulling me back.
Helping Companies Go Digital (and Not Confuse Mouth-to-Mouth with Word-of-Mouth)
Field notes from working with Nepal's SMEs. Includes a founder who made a very memorable marketing error.
Nepal's Own Lord of the Rings Moment
On leadership, reluctance and what it means to inherit a country still figuring itself out.
Let's
connect.
I am always up for a good conversation. Find me on LinkedIn or drop me an email — I will get back to you.
© 2026 Swastik Mohan Bhattarai · swastikmbhattarai@gmail.com