Team Ventures, a leading private equity and venture capital firm, has made its first foray into Nepal’s hospitality sector through a strategic investment in Hotel Garima Limited, the owner of Soaltee Westend Itahari. The firm and its affiliates have acquired a 27% equity stake in the hotel, marking a significant milestone in Team Ventures’ expansion into tourism-focused investments.
Expanding Presence in Nepal’s Hospitality Sector
Soaltee Westend Itahari, a five-star-level property, is located in the rapidly emerging commercial and transit hub of eastern Nepal. Operated under the Soaltee Hotels & Resorts brand, Nepal’s first international hotel chain, the hotel boasts 82 keys and a comprehensive range of business and leisure facilities, including food and beverage outlets, meeting and events infrastructure, and wellness amenities. The property is currently undergoing final certification as a five-star hotel, positioning it as a premier hospitality destination in the region.
“The investment is expected to support the company’s next phase of growth by advancing expansion, strengthening governance, and enhancing institutional capabilities,” said Kesang Shrestha, Chairman of Team Ventures. He noted that the firm’s board and leadership team bring extensive experience in hospitality, including senior leadership and board-level involvement with international hotel chains in Nepal and the region.
Strategic Rationale for the Investment
According to Dorje Gyaltsen Lama, Director of Team Ventures, the hospitality sector has been a key focus area for the firm due to its significant contribution to Nepal’s tourism ecosystem and the broader economy.
“Soaltee Westend Itahari combines a strong brand, an experienced operator, and clear growth potential. We look forward to supporting the company as it continues to scale and strengthen its institutional foundation,” Lama said.
Bijaya Bahadur Shrestha, Director of Team Ventures, emphasized that the firm’s engagement goes beyond capital infusion. “As an equity partner, our role will focus on strengthening governance, building organizational capacity, and working alongside management to support long-term, professionally managed growth,” he said.
Strengthening Governance and Institutional Capacity
The partnership is expected to enhance Soaltee Westend Itahari’s operational and strategic capabilities. By bringing in institutional capital and global hospitality expertise, Team Ventures aims to support the hotel’s expansion plans while ensuring professional and sustainable growth.
“We are pleased to welcome Team Ventures as an equity partner,” said Binod Poudel, Managing Director of Soaltee Westend Itahari. “The partnership brings institutional capital and experience that will support our expansion initiatives and the company’s continued growth.”
The collaboration is seen as a strategic step in professionalizing the management and governance of hospitality businesses in eastern Nepal, where Soaltee Westend Itahari operates as a key platform for both business and leisure travelers.
About Team Ventures
Founded in 2016, Team Ventures is a leading alternative investment firm focused on growth-oriented businesses across multiple sectors. The firm’s diversified portfolio spans clean energy, agriculture, manufacturing, technology, and media, in addition to this new venture into hospitality.
With a focus on institutional-grade governance, operational excellence, and long-term value creation, Team Ventures has built a reputation as a partner of choice for businesses seeking both capital and strategic guidance.
About Soaltee Westend Itahari
Owned by Hotel Garima Limited and operated under the Soaltee Hotels & Resorts Group, Soaltee Westend Itahari is an 82-key property that caters to both business and leisure demand. The hotel features comprehensive F&B offerings, meetings and events facilities, and wellness amenities. Situated in a growing commercial and transit hub, the property is strategically positioned to serve eastern Nepal’s expanding hospitality and tourism market.
With the investment from Team Ventures, Soaltee Westend Itahari is set to accelerate its growth trajectory, enhance its operational standards, and strengthen its position as a leading hospitality platform in the region.
Team Ventures’ first hospitality investment underscores the growing appeal of Nepal’s tourism sector to private equity and venture capital investors. By combining financial backing with governance expertise and sectoral experience, the firm is poised to support Soaltee Westend Itahari in achieving sustainable, professionally managed growth while contributing to the development of eastern Nepal’s hospitality ecosystem.
