Resume

Welcome to my digital resume , a space where you can explore the work I’ve done, the skills I bring, and the path I’ve taken so far.

This page is less about showing off and more about sharing where I’ve been and what I’ve grown to love doing, from communications and design to data and strategy.

Software Proficiency - From Analysis to Design

Professional Highlights

Explore my key roles and projects across various companies, showcasing my expertise and achievements in finance and tech.
One to Watch - Investment Associate
August 2024 - Present

Working within the $100 million NIIC 2 Fund, a blended finance initiative boosting Nepal’s digital economy

Source, evaluate, and support high-potential tech and tech-enabled SMEs in accessing capital, debt financing, equity, and business development services (BDS)

Identify challenges and collaborate with partners to help SMEs grow and scale

Program Associate - Youth Innovaton Lab
Oct 2023 - July 2024

Supported key projects including:
• National Youth Agri-Innovation Challenge (NYAIC) with UNDP & FAO
• Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DiDRR) e-learning tool with NDRRMA, MoHA & UNESCAP
• Agri-Entrepreneurship 1.0 Course and Merokheti.org Bootcamp
• United States Embassy Youth Council 2024 program
• Combating Mis/Dis Information Course in partnership with the US Embassy

Himalayan Narratives - Cofounder and Author
Oct 2023 - Present

Himalayan Narratives is an initiative that has published 30+ children books, now available globally on platforms like Amazon and in stores like Barnes and Noble, selling in 10+ countries worldwide.
We’ve brought Nepali stories to children around the world, helping them connect with their heritage through vivid, colorful illustrations and engaging narratives that span the mystical, the cultural, and the natural.
One of our bestsellers, The Little Yomari Chef, follows a young girl’s quest to perfect the art of making Yomaris, ranked as #52 in the “Best-selling Children’s books Around the World” category on Amazon.

 

Key roles and projects

A journey through key roles, projects, and milestones shaping my career in finance, impact investing and more…..

One to Watch is a private equity firm operating in the Netherlands, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nepal guided by the philosophy of impact investing. One to Watch boasts a portfolio of €15 million+ and has worked with over 4000+ SMEs to create 25,000+ jobs.

At One to Watch, I work as an Investment Associate under the Nepal Impact Investment Community (NIIC) 2 Fund, a $100 million blended finance fund supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), 

In my role I  source and evaluate high-potential SMEs, lead due diligence, and design tailored support packages to strengthen investment readiness. I work closely with banks, accelerators, and partners to provide strategic guidance, monitor portfolio performance, and contribute to impact reporting in Nepal’s emerging markets.

From January to August 2024, I led the National Youth Agri Innovation Challenge, a flagship initiative implemented by Youth Innovation Lab in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and UNDP. The program was designed to empower youth-led startups in the agri-food sector, promoting sustainable, innovative, and inclusive solutions across Nepal’s food systems.

Roles

  • Designed and executed the full lifecycle of the program—from conceptualization and outreach to selection, acceleration, and final showcase.

  • Led a cross-functional team to identify and support high-potential youth-led enterprises tackling critical challenges in agriculture, food security, and climate resilience.

  • Developed and facilitated capacity-building bootcamps covering business modeling, investment readiness, agri-tech innovation, and market access.

  • Oversaw the evaluation and selection process, working with technical experts and partners to shortlist top ventures across diverse value chains.

  • Built partnerships with ecosystem actors, investors, and mentors to support the participating startups beyond the program.

  • Ensured timely reporting, stakeholder coordination, and visibility of the program’s outcomes through events, media, and knowledge products.

Under my leadership, the Challenge became a launchpad for early-stage agri-entrepreneurs, bridging innovation with impact and contributing to national priorities in youth employment and sustainable agriculture.

Since September 2023, I’ve been working as Co-founder, Author, and Editor at Himalayan Narratives, a storytelling initiative dedicated to preserving South Asian heritage through children’s literature. Our mission is simple yet powerful: preserving heritage, one story at a time.

Himalayan Narratives has published 30+ illustrated children’s books, now distributed globally via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and several independent bookstores—reaching young readers in over 10 countries.

In my role, I:

  • Co-founded and co-led the vision and editorial strategy of the initiative, ensuring that each story blends cultural authenticity with imaginative storytelling.

  • Wrote and edited multiple titles, including folklore adaptations, nature-inspired adventures, and contemporary cultural tales designed to resonate with young, diaspora audiences.

  • Oversaw the illustration and publishing process, working closely with artists, designers, and editors to maintain a high standard of visual and narrative quality.

  • Helped drive global distribution and sales, resulting in strong performance across key markets, including North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

  • Spearheaded outreach and engagement efforts with schools, parents, and cultural institutions to foster interest in Nepali heritage through storytelling.

One of our bestselling titles, The Little Yomari Chef, follows a young girl’s heartfelt journey to master the art of making Yomaris—a culturally iconic delicacy. The book was recently ranked #52 in Amazon’s “Best-Selling Children’s Books Around the World” category.

From September 2023 to June 2024, I supported the design and development of the Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DiDRR) e-learning course at Youth Innovation Lab, in collaboration with UNESCAP and NDRRMA.

The course aims to equip disaster management practitioners with tools to integrate disability inclusion in preparedness and response.

In this role, I:

  • Led content development, integrating global frameworks and locally relevant case studies.

  • Coordinated with national and international partners for technical accuracy and accessibility.

  • Contributed to platform design, user testing, and rollout, ensuring effective engagement across DRR stakeholders.

This initiative plays a critical role in making Nepal’s disaster response system more inclusive, informed, and resilient.

U.S. Youth Council 2025 – Member
United States Embassy in Nepal | June 2025 – Present

Selected as one of the top 55 youth leaders from across Nepal for the prestigious U.S. Youth Council 2025, a flagship initiative of the U.S. Embassy in Nepal aimed at empowering emerging changemakers and strengthening U.S.-Nepal people-to-people ties.

As part of the cohort, I:

  • Engage in policy discussions, leadership development workshops, and thematic dialogues with U.S. diplomats, civil society leaders, and government representatives.

  • Collaborate with a diverse cohort of youth to design and implement community-focused projects in areas such as climate action, civic engagement, digital innovation, education, and inclusion.

  • Receive mentorship and skills-building opportunities through in-person summits and ongoing engagements throughout the year.

As a freelancer, I’ve supported a range of infrastructure, hospitality, and environmental projects through feasibility studies, economic modeling, and visual storytelling. My work blends analytical rigor with engaging project visualization to support investor readiness and strategic decision-making.

Key areas of focus include:

  • Feasibility report preparation covering market, technical, environmental, and financial aspects

  • Financial modeling and cash flow projections using Excel and PowerBI

  • Project conceptualization videos and animations to bring complex ideas to life

Notable projects:

  1. Vyas Hills Pvt. Ltd. – Feasibility study, financial analysis, and a project pitch video for a real estate development

  2. Mareykharey River Mining – Comprehensive feasibility and investment visuals for a river-based mining project

  3. Mugling Bridge Highway Restaurant – Site viability, financials, and animated walkthrough for a roadside hospitality venture

  4. Langtang Khola Hydropower – Created an environmental conservation animation to support stakeholder engagement

I’ve also contributed to resort, hotel, and amusement park proposals, helping refine their investment strategies and presentation materials.

Collaborators I've Worked With

Testimonials

Hear from people I’ve worked with and what they say about our work together.

Swastik has been a powerhouse of energy, creativity, and dedication — consistently going above and beyond to deliver results. His enthusiasm is contagious, his work ethic unmatched, and his ideas often bring fresh perspectives that inspire the entire team. He’s not just a hard worker, but a motivating presence who uplifts those around him.
Pradeep Khatiwada
Pradeep Khatiwada
Esecutive Director, Youth Innovation Lab
 
Youth Innovation Lab
Swastik is someone who actively seeks out feedback and uses it as a tool for continuous self-improvement. He’s deeply motivated, highly disciplined, and consistently follows through on his commitments. Whether working independently or in a team, he brings focus, energy, and a results-oriented mindset to everything he does.
Aruna Joshi
Aruna Joshi
Program Associate, UNESCO Nepal
 
UNESCO Nepal
Swastik has been an incredible asset to the team at One to Watch. He brings strong analytical skills, communicates clearly and effectively, and most importantly — he gets things done without needing a push. What stands out most is his versatility; whether it’s research, financial modeling, or supporting entrepreneurs, he steps up with a calm confidence and delivers. It’s rare to find someone who can wear so many hats so well.
Biswa Giri
Biswa Giri
Fund Manager, One to Watch
 
One to Watch