Pitches
Discover high-potential agri-food ventures presenting innovative solutions, seeking strategic investment, partnerships, and support to scale impactful ideas, strengthen Bhutan’s food systems, and drive sustainable economic growth.
Karma Chime
Karma Chime is a pioneer of Bhutan’s specialty coffee industry and the owner of Mountain Café and Bhutan Mountain Coffee. A certified coffeeneur, he is among the first in Bhutan to receive the prestigious Q Grader license from the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), along with a Coffee Roasting Diploma and extensive SCA training.
He combines technical expertise with entrepreneurial leadership to elevate Bhutanese coffee on the global stage. Committed to community development, he supports local farmers and promotes sustainable coffee practices, creating lasting impact across the value chain.
Tandin Wangdi
Mr Tandin Wangdi is the Executive Director of KNZ Dairy Plant and currently serves as the Secretary General of the Trongsa Dairy Cooperative, which brings together 21 dairy farmer groups across Trongsa Dzongkhag. In addition to his leadership roles, he manages an integrated farm that includes an orange orchard, a large-scale shiitake mushroom operation, an indigenous free-range poultry farm, and a developing coffee plantation. With an academic background in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), he brings diverse experience in Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) across India and Bhutan, particularly in management and business development. He has worked as an entrepreneur in the ICT sector, delivered corporate training programs, and served as a consultant in architectural and engineering services. He envisions KNZ’s initiative as a localized version of the “White Revolution” in Bhutan. Under his leadership, the project has successfully united dairy farmers across the Dzongkhag toward a shared goal—strengthening the dairy sector and contributing to national food security.
Krishna Prapan Adhikari
General Manager, Bhutan Livestock Development Corporation
Mr Krishna Prapan Adhikari is the General Manager, Finance and Administration of Bhutan Livestock Development Corporation Limited. He has over 20 years of professional experience in public sector auditing, financial management, administration, and organizational governance. He began his career in the Royal Government service and has served in various capacities in the field of auditing, including performance auditing, financial and compliance auditing, and quality assurance and research. Prior to joining the Corporation, he held responsibilities involving evaluation of government programs, institutional performance assessment, financial oversight, and administrative coordination as a Financial Management Consultant for the World Bank. Over the course of his career, he has worked extensively in planning, financial management and oversight, policy implementation, and organizational management across public sector institutions. He holds a Masters’ Degree in International Economics and Finance from Brandies University, USA.
Tshering Dorji
Regional Director of the Food Corporation of Bhutan Limited (FCBL)
Mr Tshering Dorji is the Regional Director of the Food Corporation of Bhutan Limited (FCBL), Phuentsholing Region. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Sherubtse College, affiliated with the University of Delhi, India. His expertise lies in agribusiness development, agricultural marketing, supply chain management, and institutional leadership.
Mr Raz Degan
Founder of DetoxGuru
Raz Degan is a highly accomplished multidisciplinary artist and public figure with a career spanning over 30 years in international cinema, documentary filmmaking, and cultural advocacy. Recognized for his versatile contributions to the arts, he has collaborated with legendary directors like Oliver Stone and Ermanno Olmi, and directed the Netflix Original documentary The Last Shaman, which was executive produced by Leonardo DiCaprio. Beyond his work in film and television, where he has hosted acclaimed series like Raz & The Tribe, Degan is a prominent leader in the wellness industry as the co-founder of the Detox.Guru platform and the functional food brand IoSono. His commitment to humanitarian work is equally significant, serving as a dedicated UNHCR Ambassador since 2017 to support refugee education and field missions. Currently, he is expanding his influence through a major three-book publishing deal with Rizzoli-Mondadori and the finalization of a long-term documentary project, Searching for Nirvana, filmed over 12 years across the globe.
Kelzang Namgay
Officiating Executive Officer, Farm Machinery Corporation Limited
Mr Kelzang Namgay is a General Manager under Corporate Governance Department (CGD) and currently serving as a offtg. Chief Executive Officer of Farm Machinery Corporation Limited, Paro. He has a Master’s Degree (MBA) from the University of Canberra, Australia and Bachelor Degree in Commerce honors from Sherubtse College, Bhutan.
Mahendra Chhetri
Proprietor & Managing Director, Yoeseltse Integrated Farm and Bhutan Essential Oils
As the Proprietor and Managing Director of Yoeseltse Integrated Farm and Bhutan Essential Oils, Mr Chhetri has been at the forefront of promoting high-value crop cultivation and essential oil production in Bhutan. Under his leadership, the enterprise has integrated modern technology with traditional knowledge to produce premium-quality essential oils—particularly ginger oil, known for its therapeutic properties and export potential.
Bal Kumar Monger
Mr Bal Kumar Monger holds a Diploma in Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Management from the Royal Institute for Tourism and Hospitality, Thimphu. During his education, he specialized in Tour Guiding, driven by his passion for travel and hiking. He served as Procurement Head at Le Méridien Paro, Riverfront, a Marriott International property, along with holding various roles in other organizations. His work has focused on financial management, budgeting, and quality sourcing. These roles allowed him to build strong professional relationships with individuals and organizations across Bhutan and parts of India.
Mani Kumar Basnet
Mani Kumar Basnet is an Associate Analyst at DRIVE (DHI Research and Innovation Venture Excellence). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering and specializes in IoT projects, with experience spanning domains such as agriculture and water. His work involves researching, prototyping, and implementing smart systems, sensor networks, and connected devices to enhance efficiency and data-driven decision-making. Working within DRIVE’s multidisciplinary environment, he collaborates with colleagues across various tech domains.
Kitso Pelmo Wangdi
Communications Lead at Dheyma
Kitso Pelmo Wangdi is the Communications Lead at Dheyma, where she manages communications and partnerships across government, private sector, and international stakeholders. A Hampshire College graduate and a Bucerius Summer School Leadership Fellow, she brings over a decade of experience in communications, project management, and partnership building.
Her recent work includes Executive Producer of Bhutan Echoes (2021–2024), where she directed three editions of the Drukyul’s Literature and Arts Festival, convening 70+ global speakers. She has also led communications for the Loden Foundation and Mountain Hazelnuts, and is a founding member of the Global Shapers Thimphu Hub (World Economic Forum).
Nob Bhutan Private Limited
Nob Bhutan Private Limited is developing an integrated agrifood platform centered on a 50-acre farm in Phobjikha and a processing facility in Nobding to scale Bhutan’s potato value chain. By combining large-scale cultivation, cold storage, and the production of value-added goods—including “Happy Chips,” French fries, and dried chillies—the project addresses food security and import substitution while boosting export diversification. Currently scaling toward full commercial production by June 2026, the initiative empowers local farmers through structured procurement and climate-resilient practices. To realize this vision, the company is seeking USD 1.10 million in concessional financing or a USD 0.75 million strategic equity investment to optimize infrastructure and expand its market reach, offering an attractive 18% IRR and a seven-year payback period.
