Introducing the NLN Inner Circle!
Over the past week, we stepped back and looked at everything we’ve built so far and we’re shutting down our free community to build something more intentional.
Before diving into that, here’s how these weekly updates will look:
What’s coming up next this month, and
A behind-the-scenes look at what we’re building and why
Upcoming Events
1. Professionals Mixer - Boston
🗓 Date: Thursday, April 23
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM ET
📍 Location: 345 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA
👔 Dress Code: Business Casual (no hoodies, sweatpants, or flip-flops)
Looking to meet other Nepali students & professionals in Boston?
Our quarterly mixers are designed to help you connect, collaborate, and build real relationships within the community. Whether you’re new to the area or already part of the network, this is your space to find your people and grow together.
2. Professionals Mixer - New York City
🗓 Date: Thursday, April 30
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET
📍 Location: Consulate General of Nepal, NYC; 228 E 45th St 4th Floor, New York, NY 10017
👔 Dress Code: Business Casual (no hoodies, sweatpants, or flip-flops)
Looking to meet other Nepali students & professionals in New York City?
Our quarterly mixers are designed to help you connect, collaborate, and build real relationships within the community. Whether you’re new to the area or already part of the network, this is your space to find your people and grow together.
Behind The Scenes
THIS WEEK GOT… UNCOMFORTABLY CLEAR
Last week, we talked about shifting from execution → architecture.
This week made one thing obvious:
what we’re building next
is not for everyone
and that’s intentional
WE’RE SHUTTING DOWN THE OPEN COMMUNITY
We’re closing the NLN Circle community at the end of April.
In just 3 months, 1,100+ of you joined.
On paper, that looks like growth.
But in reality… we started seeing the same patterns everywhere:
• crowded spaces where it’s hard to know who to talk to
• random intros that don’t go anywhere
• conversations that start… and then die
• people at completely different stages trying to help each other
• lots of noise, not enough real progress
And honestly, this isn’t just online.
Even at events:
• people show up
• meet a few people
• and then it’s one and done
Most people still don’t meet the right people.
Everything becomes a volume game:
• more events
• more messages
• more networking
…hoping something sticks
ONE LAST TIME (IN PERSON)
Before we fully close this chapter, we’re hosting two final mixers:
• Boston — April 23
• NYC — April 30
This is our way of closing the loop on a good note.
One last time, we want to bring together everyone who’s supported NLN on this journey so far.
After this, we won’t be hosting public events.
WHO THIS IS FOR
We’re no longer trying to build for everyone.
We’re building for the most driven, ambitious Nepalis
the ones actively trying to grow
while helping others grow
Not defined by titles
but by intent
You could think of this as the top 1%
not in status, but in mindset
If that’s not you right now, that’s completely fine.
There are other spaces that serve a broader audience.
What we’re building will be smaller, more curated, and more focused.
THE PROBLEM
Most “communities” don’t actually work.
You join
meet a few people
have a few conversations
…and then nothing really changes
Because:
• you don’t know who’s actually relevant to you
• everyone’s at completely different stages
• conversations stay surface-level
• there’s no structure to drive real progress
So it turns into a volume game:
more events
more messages
more networking
…hoping something sticks
THE SOLUTION
We’re building something much more intentional.
A system where you’re placed into a small group of people:
• at a similar stage
• facing similar bottlenecks
• aligned in ambition
For example:
• a student trying to break into software engineering → with other students targeting similar roles, working on projects, preparing for interviews, and navigating internships
• an early-career professional in tech → with others in similar roles aiming for promotions, switching companies, or building something on the side
• a founder or operator → with others at a similar stage dealing with hiring, product, growth, and real business decisions
• an executive or investor → with peers thinking about scaling teams, deploying capital, and making high-stakes decisions
Same stage
similar problems
better outcomes
Each week (~2 hrs):
• you bring a real problem
• or share what you’re working on
→ and walk away with clarity, feedback, or next steps
On top of that, you’re part of a wider network of highly vetted people:
• with virtual co-working / co-studying spaces
• spontaneous conversations
• deeper, more relevant connections
WHY US
For the past ~18 months, we’ve tried almost everything:
• talks
• panels
• executive social
• general mixers
• industry-specific events
• webinars
• cocktail night
• hackathons
• online communities
• podcasts, etc
We’ve worked with thousands of people across different stages.
We’ve seen:
• where people get stuck
• where connections break
• where momentum dies
This isn’t a random idea.
It’s built from firsthand experience of what doesn’t work.
The hackathon showed us what happens when the right people are in the right structure.
Now we’re taking that beyond a weekend.
THE PILOT (STARTING SOON)
We’re starting small and building this properly.
If you want to be part of the founding group:
Apply here:
https://airtable.com/appmX4kYiLYNzPKhX/shrHUuO6u9PdErkR6
• 4-week pilot
• fully virtual
• ~2 hrs/week commitment
• max ~50 founding members
• free (for now)
Applications close: April 30
We’ll begin beta testing the week of May 4
and run the pilot through May 29
If selected, we’ll send full details via email.
We shared this yesterday
and ~30 people have already applied
We’ll be vetting heavily to make sure everyone is aligned.
This will be messy.
There will be iterations.
We’ll adjust in real time.
That’s the point.
PERSONAL NOTE
A year ago, we were trying everything.
Now we’re saying no to almost everything.
This is probably the smallest NLN will look from the outside but the most focused it’s ever been.
— Shreyas
Founder, Nepali Leaders Network
P.S. If you made it this far, you’re a real one. These newsletters might be my favorite way to stay connected to 2,400+ of you. See you back in a week!
