All Sharks Invest Rs 1,000 in ‘Bihe Nepal’: An App to Help Users Find a Partner
साउन ९, २०८२ ११:५४
Kathmandu: The matrimonial app Bihe Nepal, featured on the reality show Shark Tank Nepal, has received the lowest investment offer in the show's history. In the episode aired on Himalayan Television on Wednesday, founders Shreya and Shraddha Katuwal offered 1 percent equity for Rs 1,000, valuing the company at Rs 100,000.
They made the offer symbolically, seeking mentorship rather than funding. All five sharks accepted the pitch and jointly invested Rs 1,000 in the company.
The Katuwal sisters launched Bihe Nepal on 24 February 2022, inspired by an idea from their mother. So far, the app has been downloaded over 155,000 times. According to the founders, more than 5 million match requests and over 80,000 user conversations have taken place through the platform.
The app is available to Nepalis in more than 120 countries, including Nepal. Since arranged marriage remains common in Nepali culture, the app is designed to help users find a life partner of their choice within that context.
Special attention has been given to user privacy, particularly for women who may not feel comfortable using dating platforms. Users can blur their photos and choose to reveal them only to matches they trust. Face recognition is mandatory during profile creation to prevent fake accounts and catfishing.
The app also includes a blind date feature, which allows users to chat anonymously with someone who shares similar interests. They can choose to reveal their identity if the conversation goes well or end it without disclosing anything if it doesn't.
A horoscope matching feature is also available, allowing users to check compatibility without revealing personal astrological details. The app is inclusive of the LGBTQIA+ community and also caters to divorced individuals.
All features are free for women, while some features are paid for men.
According to co-founder Shraddha, Bihe Nepal currently has over 70,000 registered users. Although the app launched earlier, user engagement remained low until a newer version was released. The platform is now active, following the launch of Bihe Nepal 2.0 in June.
Shraddha said the new version currently has 10,000 active users. Since the latest Shark Tank Nepal episode aired, the app has gained 5,000 additional active users. She added that her current focus is on marketing the updated platform.
पछिल्लो अध्यावधिक: साउन ९, २०८२ ११:५४
