US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R. Thompson launched Nepal's first-ever Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program in Kathmandu on Thursday.

This US government-supported initiative aims to strengthens commercial ties between the United States and Nepal by empowering women to grow their businesses and drive local economic growth.

Addressing the program, Ambassador Thompson called AWE "a movement, not just a program," highlighting the belief that when women are empowered, economies grow, communities flourish, and lasting partnerships take root, reads a statement issued by the US Embassy in Kathmandu.

The three-day residential bootcamp, led by top Nepali business leaders and members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Nepal (AmCham), will provide 30 selected women entrepreneurs with world-class training, mentorship, and resources to scale their ventures.

Powered by the globally recognized "Najafi 100 Million Learners" course, AWE provides participants with practical tools to foster innovation and job creation in their communities., according to the statement.

This program supports American and Nepali businesses by creating new opportunities for trade, collaboration, and growth, strengthening both countries' economies. It creates meaningful economic opportunities for Nepalis to build thriving ventures at home, rather than seek opportunities abroad.