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Druk Tshongrig Gatoen | Inspire . Connect . Collaborate
Tshongrig refers to 'intelligent business' and entails a culture of business and entrepreneurship infused with intelligent production and consumption. The global community in general, with its aim for Sustainable Development Goals, and Bhutan in particular, with its pursuit of Gross National Happiness, is earnestly calling for the promotion of intelligent businesses.
Started in 2018, the Druk Tshongrig Gatoen (DTG) is the Bhutan's first festival to promote and celebrate social entrepreneurship, intelligent business and celebrate young Bhutanese entrepreneurs who had the courage to dream big and start their entrepreneurial journey. In addition, the festival brings together entrepreneurship-support organizations from the government stakeholders, civil society organizations, development partners, independent agencies, private companies and most importantly the Bhutanese entrepreneurs to spread the awareness on importance of entrepreneurship for Bhutan for the young minds.
From panel discussions on important issues and opportunities for entrepreneurship in Bhutan to small half-day events across all colleges and technical training institutes in the country, from launch of exciting new initiatives during the weekend to benefit young entrepreneurs to lively 'Sales Pitch' at the market fair in Thimphu, from recognizing the extraordinary achievements of individual entrepreneurs to celebrating all entrepreneurs in Bhutan - the festival also presents a platform for everyone to get inspired, make new connections and foster a culture of collaboration.
Each year, the DTG is led by a team of individuals representing a relevant stakeholders from all sectors that consists of entrepreneurship-support organizations in Bhutan - including the government ministries, civil society organization, development partners, private agencies and independent bodies - that is wholly dedicated to create a platform that will foster collaboration and partnership among the stakeholders.
This year the event is led by the Bhutan Association of Entrepreneur (BAEyul) with support from Ministry of Labour and Human Resources (MoLHR), UNDP Bhutan, Thimphu Tech Park, iHub, iBEST Institute, Druk Host, Institute for Learning Solutions, the Green Road and the Loden Foundation.
Building on to the success of these events, the DTG aims to compliment such efforts through the following objectives:
INSPIRE
To introduce the concept of entrepreneurship to young people outside of Thimphu in colleges and technical training institutes and inspire them to consider entrepreneurship as a career choice after graduation. This would be done through established entrepreneurs sharing their entrepreneurial journey that is fun, informative and encouraging.
CONNECT
To provide opportunities for entrepreneurs and entrepreneur-support organizations to connect with others and strengthen entrepreneurship eco-system. A select group of entrepreneurs will stand a chance to promote their products at a market fair and engage with relevant stakeholders.
COLLABORATE
To reinforce linkages for deeper collaboration through the year among entrepreneur-support organizations - including government ministries, civil society organizations, development partners, private companies and independent bodies - contributing to the growth of overall entrepreneurship eco-system in Bhutan.
09:30 am | ARRIVAL OF GUESTS
10:00 am | WELCOME SPEECH
1O:20 am | National Horticulture Award (HAoB)
10:20 am | Tea Break and Band Performance
10:50 am | Sibjam Website Launch
11:40 am| Talk by ED, Bhutan Foundation
11:50 am | Vote of Thanks
09:30 am | ARRIVAL OF GUESTS
10:00 am | WELCOME SPEECH
10:10 am | LODEN WEBSITE LAUNCH
10:30 am | TEA BREAK AND BAND PERFORMANCE
11:00 am | VIRTUAL TALK BY JEFF HOFFMAN, CHAIRMAN, GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP NETWORK
11:10 am | LAUNCHING OF GOLDEN DIVIDEND ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME – STARTUP FIRST INSTITUTE
11:40 am | VOTE OF THANKS
09:30 am | ARRIVAL OF GUESTS
10:00 am | WELCOME SPEECH
10:10 am | BEST LODEN ENTREPRENEUR PITCHING
11:40 am | BAND PERFORMANCE
12:00 pm | KHADAR CEREMONY FOR BEST LODEN ENTREPRENEUR 2021 & 2021
12:10 pm | VOTE OF THANKS
Kesang Om is a member of Bhutan Association for Entrepreneurs (BAEyul) and the entrepreneur behind Institute for Learning Solutions.
Kesang’s institute coordinates, leads, trains, develops, creates a succession of versatile and influential programs. Kesang has accomplished excellent results from her establishment, and enables ideas and development of professional standards, among other distinctions in the field. Kesang helps her participants to gain insight on different subjects which achieves a lasting positive result with her skilled leadership and effective communication. Kesang is a travel and food driven woman and lives in Thimphu.
Reach out to Kesang at her email at instituteforlearningsolutions@gmail.com or visit www.instituteforlearningsolutions.com
Kesang is also one of the guest speakers at the LIVE Radio Talk Show with Radio Valley 99.9 FM on Friday 18 October from 4:30 till 5:30 pm
Tashi Dhendup Dorji is the founder of Laykha Dairy Delights.
Laykha Dairy Delights is a manufacturing unit that will focus on producing flavored yogurt packed into spout pouches. “Purchasing imported flavored yogurt becomes very expensive overtime and I felt it was time to create Bhutan’s first flavored yogurt packed in spout pouches.”
Guest Speaker at Royal Thimphu College.
Rikesh Gurung is the President of BAEyul and the entrepreneur behind Green Road.
The company is one of the first to start recycling waste plastic and use it in blacktopping of roads. He has a bachelor’s is Business administration from Madras university. He was also awarded the Entrepreneur award for year 2017.
Reach out to Rikesh at rikshades@gmail.com
Bishnu is a UNV National Youth Programme Officer at UNDP Bhutan.
He designs and coordinates youth related programs including the young-human resource mobilization. Social innovation and Entrepreneurship is at its forefronts in his current work. Among others Bishnu advocates #WeAre2030 through his work. In his spare time, he enjoys photography and engaging in discussion with, Friends.
Jigme Thinley has been working as a Program Officer in Entrepreneurship and Self-employment Division, Department of Employment and Human Resources, MoLHR since 2014. He graduated from Sherubtse College, Royal University of Bhutan, with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Geography in 2012 and completed the Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration (PGDPA) from the Royal Institute of Management (RIM) in 2013. He is also certified CEFE (Competency-based Economy through Creation of Enterprise) trainer experienced for entrepreneurship development.
Sangay Tshering is a member of BAEyul and the entrepreneur behind Green E-Solutions.
He started his journey as a serial startup entrepreneur crossing numerous sectors and now focuses on his IT firm and dedicates time with Civil Societies. A firm believer in the concept of CARE and GIVING, Sangay wants to live a quality life.
You can read more about him at www.drukhost.com
Kesang Om is a member of Bhutan Association for Entrepreneurs (BAEyul) and the entrepreneur behind Institute for Learning Solutions.
Kesang’s institute coordinates, leads, trains, develops, creates a succession of versatile and influential programs. Kesang has accomplished excellent results from her establishment, and enables ideas and development of professional standards, among other distinctions in the field. Kesang helps her participants to gain insight on different subjects which achieves a lasting positive result with her skilled leadership and effective communication. Kesang is a travel and food driven woman and lives in Thimphu.
Reach out to Kesang at her email at instituteforlearningsolutions@gmail.com or visit www.instituteforlearningsolutions.com
Kesang is also one of the guest speakers at the LIVE Radio Talk Show with Radio Valley 99.9 FM on Friday 18 October from 4:30 till 5:30 pm
Tashi is a member of BAEyul and the entrepreneur behind iHub Bhutan.
After completing his Bachelors in Computer Application, Tashi worked in BICTTA (BHUTAN ICT & Training Association) as a Programme Officer and CIO Academy Asia (SG) as Community Officer.
In 2017, he founded iHub Bhutan – a pre-incubation and co-working space where they help young aspiring entrepreneurs from their idea stage till they commercials their business.
Reach out to Tashi at ihubbhutan@gmail.com or visit www.ihubbhutan.bt Facebook/ Instagram/ LinkedIn/ Twitter : @ihubbhutan
Phuntsho is currently the Officiating Executive Director at Loden Foundation.
Phuntsho has bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom. Soon after his graduation, he started his career at the Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy (BCMD) as a Programme Officer for three years and later joined Bhutan Foundation, an America based non-profit organization, to serve as a Communications Officer in their country office in Thimphu.
Tshering Wangmo works as a Programme Analyst- Inclusive growth and Innovation in UNDP Bhutan. Prior to joining UNDP, she served as a Deputy Chief Planning Officer at the Gross National Happiness Commission Secretariat. She also served in the Royal Institute for Governance and Strategic Studies (RIGSS), a premier leadership Institute and a think tank, in the capacity of Senior Research Officer for two years on Secondment.
Tshering Wangmo holds a Master’s Degree in International and Development Economics (IDEC) from the Australian National University, Canberra.
Tashi works as a UNV- Programme Officer in United Nation Development Programme Bhutan. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communication from University of Madras, Chennai, India. After her graduation she have interned in couple of media houses. She has been working with a young entrepreneur, conducting startups and BICOB in schools and institutes for last two years. She enjoys travelling and hiking.
Sonam Choden is the Manager at Bhutan Innovation & Technology Centre, Thimphu Techpark Limited. She is an energetic, open minded and friendly person. Her strengths are in the fields of marketing, entrepreneurship, management and networking. She has a university degree in computer application with diverse background in social entrepreneurship, business development and marketing.
Rinchen is currently the IT/Communication Officer at Loden Foundation
Rinchen completed his B.Sc Computer Science from Sherubtse College. He worked as an IT Manager at Shejun for the past four years documenting and studying intangible cultures of Bhutan. Before joining Shejun he worked as a software programmer at Athang Training Academy for one year. He hopes to grow and develop his skills by working for Loden Foundation and learn from his co-workers.
Yeshi Wangchuk currently works a Programme Officer at Loden-Shejun Culture Programme under Loden Foundation. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Geography & Dzongkha from Sherubtse College in 2010. Prior to joining Loden, He has worked as a Research Associate and Researcher in Shejun agency and before that he worked with Druk Ecoms as a Program Coordinator for one year in 2012. He was also an news editor of Gyalchi Sarshog and worked as a reporter in various media houses.
Penchela is currently the Programme Officer[Education] at Loden Foundation
Penchela has a Bachelors Degree in Mass communication with journalism from Rangsit University in Thailand. Before joining Shejun, he served at His Majesty’s Secretariat for six months. He is trained in visual camera operation and cultural documentation. He is equipped with the skills and expertise in visual and stilt camera operation for documentation. Besides, as a trained field researcher and documenter, he is also well versed in inqscribe and MediaPro application for transcription and cataloging pictures.