Nepali Platform ‘Buy Me Momo’ Created to Support Nepali Content Creators
मंसिर १५, २०८२ १६:२६
Kathmandu: At one time, Tridev Gurung was deeply interested in content creation. Following his hobbies and interests, he used to create various types of audio and video content and upload them on available platforms.
Even though he enjoyed creative work, it did not provide a stable income. At that time, Nepal neither had a culture of financially supporting content creators nor the digital infrastructure to do so. Options for earning income through monetization were almost nonexistent. Due to uncertainty of income and various practical challenges, he could not continue his content creation journey. Eventually, he left for America, putting his dream on hold.
Tridev is currently working as a Senior Vice President in DevSectOps at the Bank of New York in the United States. Even after reaching a high position in technology, his heart remained in Nepal. He was driven by the determination that the next generation should not face the same problems. He was constantly grappling with the question of how to financially empower creative people in Nepal, how to respect their work and connect it to income.
This search for answers gave rise to a new idea: ‘Buy Me Momo’. He registered its domain about a year ago, and today the platform has become a meaningful source of additional income for Nepali content creators.
Why ‘Momo’?
Why did a platform created to support creative talents in different fields adopt the name ‘Buy Me Momo’? Platforms like ‘Buy Me a Coffee’ are popular globally. However, Tridev wanted a name that reflected Nepali identity and had an emotional connection with every Nepali.
“I really like momo. Wherever we are, in whatever situation, saying momo excites us,” says Tridev. “Whether meeting friends or celebrating something, ‘Let’s go eat momo’ has become our motto. Around 2019, I also started the podcast ‘The Momo Society’ with my friend Rajan Joshi who lives in the UK. So the word momo was already very close to me.”
He considers momo not just food, but something that connects people. Instead of copying foreign platforms, he believed that using a name like momo would help users develop a quick sense of belonging.
While searching for a domain jokingly, he found ‘buy me momo.com’ available and immediately registered it. The name is now gaining popularity in Nepal’s digital space. Some people ask if it involves buying actual momo. But Tridev says that those who are digitally aware and active in content creation have already understood its essence. It is a metaphor for financially supporting creators and showing appreciation for their work.
Identifying the Problem and Building a Solution
Platforms like Buy Me a Coffee and Patreon exist internationally, but in Nepal they involve technical and legal complications. Tridev studied the gap closely.
“Buy Me a Coffee or Patreon cannot be fully used in Nepal due to technical and legal restrictions,” Tridev explains. “You need Stripe or PayPal to receive payments, which are not available here. Even if someone uses a Payoneer card or withdraws money through relatives abroad, the process is cumbersome and expensive. That was the main problem. There was no simple way for Nepalis living in Nepal to receive money directly into a Nepali bank account. I built this platform to fill that gap.”
The problem of gatekeeping on major platforms like YouTube, Facebook and TikTok also persists. To earn on YouTube, creators need 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time. X requires 500 followers and 5 million impressions. These thresholds are big hurdles for new creators.
“I wanted to break this wall of gatekeeping,” says Tridev. “Whether you have 5 followers or 500,000, if your work is good and people like it, you should be supported. Buy Me Momo is open to everyone. There are no big conditions. You only need to follow our policies and legal standards.”
A Team of Two and a 100-Day Journey
The platform is run by a two-member team: Tridev in the US and co-founder Pushparaj Bhattarai in Nepal. After registering the domain on January 30, 2024, Tridev tweeted on February 13 asking for someone experienced in payment integration. Pushparaj responded, and after initial conversations as developers, they moved forward as co-founders.
The journey from the first GitHub commit on March 27 to the launch on August 15 was long and challenging. Company registration in Nepal, payment gateway approval and legal documentation took around five months.
“We have updated the system more than 38 times so far,” says Tridev. “We are working on a waitlist model. About 1,000 people have requested access, 580 met the criteria and 369 are active creators. In these 100 days, we have processed 1,750 supporters.”
Security, Transparency and Trust
As a financial platform, security is a top priority. Tridev assures that the platform does not store any sensitive banking data. All transactions are processed through secure gateways like Connect IPS, Khalti, eSewa and Stripe.
For security, the platform uses AES-256 encryption and Cloudflare. Even if something happens to the system, user money and data remain safe.
The platform charges a 7 percent fee and sends the remaining amount to the creator’s bank account after deducting taxes. Payouts are made every 15 days instead of once a month. More than Rs 350,000 has already been paid to creators in 100 days.
Some ask why they shouldn’t directly send their QR code and accept support. Tridev says making personal numbers and QR codes public is risky. Through Buy Me Momo, creators protect their privacy and donors can choose anonymity.
Change in Nepali Society
Nepal does not yet have a strong culture of paying for digital content, something Tridev calls a “torrent mentality.” But he sees positive shifts.
“We are a developing country, so spending power is low. But people now appreciate good work. They are supporting storytellers, athletes, stand-up comedians and reel makers by buying momo. That shows an ecosystem forming.”
Sand artist Bodhi Bimal used the platform to fund his first solo exhibition. A group called Books Fair is using support to build libraries in government schools.
Stories like these motivate Tridev.
How to Join Buy Me Momo
Anyone from any field can join. First, they must claim a username, create an account, and submit required documents. Verification is currently manual but will soon be automated.
Creators with different names or documents can join by coordinating with the platform and providing official documents. After verification, their profile appears on the creator list. They can then share their link to receive support.
Supporters can choose a creator, select the number of momo from 1 to 10 (or more), enter their name and message, or choose to remain anonymous. Tridev wants to introduce this not as a donation platform but as a support platform. Creators like Herne Katha, HamroKhelkud, The Nepali Comment, ouzi, and chillandgreen have already joined it. Payments can be made through Connect IPS, eSewa or Khalti in Nepal, or Stripe abroad. The amount appears in the creator’s account and can be withdrawn every 15 days.
Future Plans
The platform currently supports one-time donations. Tridev plans to add a monthly subscription model once recurring payments become easier in Nepal. Stripe already supports this for international users.
This effort by Tridev Gurung and his small team has added a meaningful contribution to Nepal’s gig economy. Despite his busy job in the US, he still sets aside hours every night to build this platform.
पछिल्लो अध्यावधिक: मंसिर १५, २०८२ १६:२८
