Apoorva Jogi
NoMindBhutan, the country’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) company, is charting a new path for innovation. Founded by a group of undergraduate students from Gyelpozhing College of Information Technology (GCIT), NoMindBhutan hopes to put Bhutan on the global AI map.
The company has already developed two AI products.
Its flagship offering, Nola, is a sophisticated chatbot designed to deliver seamless, AI-driven customer service. Operating around the clock, Nola provides instant and precise responses to customer queries and, when necessary, connects users with live representatives for complex issues.
A chatbot is a computer programme that uses artificial intelligence to talk with people, just like a human would. It can understand what you type or say, figure out what you need, and give helpful answers.
Complementing this is Sherig AI, an educational platform revolutionising personalised learning. Unlike generic platforms like Coursera or Udemy, Sherig AI leverages YouTube and AI to create dynamic, tailored courses for students.
All courses are stored in a community space called the “library”, accessible to everyone. Additionally, they have an AI teacher chatbot named Nola, which is different from ChatGPT or Gemini. Instead of providing direct answers, Nola explains problems, gives hints, and encourages students to solve them independently, verifying their answers and motivating them throughout the process.
NoMindBhutan is led by seven ambitious third-year students from GCIT, each bringing their expertise to the table.
Ugyen Dendup, 23, CEO and Co-Founder, spearheads operations with his entrepreneurial vision. Jamphel Yigzin Samdrup, 19, CTO, transforms tech ideas into functional solutions. Tsheltrim Pemo, 21, Head of Product, ensures impactful AI applications. Kuenzang Namgyal, 22, Fullstack Developer, builds scalable software systems. Pema, 22, oversees cybersecurity, safeguarding systems against threats. Jampel Namdag Dorji, 20, Head of AI, drives algorithm development. Nima Wangdi, 20, Head of Design and Marketing, crafts user-friendly interfaces and branding.
NoMindBhutan began in July 2022 as a dorm-room dream. Their breakthrough came after placing second in the National Startup Hackathon Challenge, winning a cash prize of Nu 100,000, which they reinvested in the company.
With an additional 20,000 ngultrum from the two co-founders, they solidified their partnership in their second year, combining their diverse skills in AI, full-stack development, cybersecurity, and design. They officially registered their company on July 18, 2023.
Initial struggles were steep. “We approached several companies in Thimphu with our proposal, but as students introducing a new product, many didn’t trust us,” said CEO Ugyen Dendup.
Their persistence paid off when Bhutan National Bank (BNB) became their first major client, purchasing their chatbot and signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This pivotal deal opened doors to partnerships with Drukair and the National Land Commission.
Currently, some of the largest corporations in the country use Nola, including Bhutan National Bank, Bank of Bhutan, Bhutan NDI, National Land Commission, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment, Department of Labour, Druk Air, and United Overseas Limited.
Adding to their list of accomplishments, they have also been featured on the cover page of “Rest of World” and “Bloomberg”, both US-based media houses.
Bhutan’s nascent tech market, limited cloud services and cross-border payment barriers are the major challenges they face. However, mentorship from experts and support from their college have helped them overcome these hurdles.
Balancing their studies and running a start-up has been a constant challenge for the young founders. Despite this, completing their degrees remains their top priority.
Expanding their scope, the company now provides analytics and reports, delivering actionable insights to clients.
The founders envision becoming Bhutan’s first unicorn company, driven by their motto “NoMind, No Limits”. Beyond customer service, they aim to expand into healthcare, education, and fintech within the next five years.
“We know Bhutan has a small market,” Ugyen Dendup said, “but we want to break barriers and make history.”