ABOUT US
COMPANY PROFILE
SHAH HEMP INNO-VENTURES PVT. LTD (SHIV)
Shah Hemp Inno Ventures (SHIV) is a Nepal-based social enterprise founded in 2015 with a mission to advance natural construction, sustainable wellness products, and community-based craft manufacturing through locally sourced hemp and other regenerative materials. The company combines innovation, research, and on-ground community engagement to create a vertically integrated ecosystem for Building Naturally, Wellness Naturally, and Crafted Naturally.
Establishment & Founding Vision
SHIV was officially registered in Kathmandu in September 2015. The company introduced its vision to the global natural building community at the International Hemp Building Association (IHBA) Symposium in Germany in October 2015, where co-founder Dhiraj K. Shah presented Hempcrete as a resilient, low-carbon solution for Nepal’s earthquake reconstruction efforts.
From inception, SHIV was built on three foundational commitments:
Developing natural building materials rooted in local resources
Creating regenerative supply chains for farmers and rural communities
Delivering products and systems that prioritize health, sustainability, and local empowerment
Building the Natural Construction Ecosystem (2016–Present)
Early Milestones
- In February 2016, SHIV collaborated with global Hempcrete expert Steve Allin to construct some of Nepal’s earliest Hempcrete structures.
During 2016, the company established a village-based supply chain for hemp stalks in the Western Himalayan region, ensuring ethical sourcing and fair income for rural households.
SHIV set up Nepal’s first hemp shiv and natural binder processing line, producing Hempcrete aggregates, lime putty, lime paint, and surkhi for the construction industry.
CSR-Backed Social Impact
At the Hemp 2020 Conference in Poland, co-founder Nivedita Bansal secured CSR funding from Daniel Kruse (CEO, HempConsult) to build a Hempcrete home for an underserved family under SHIV’s initiative, hEmpowering Bottom-Up. This project became a model of how natural materials can transform livelihoods and rebuild community resilience.
Ten-Year Construction Footprint
Over the last decade, SHIV has contributed Hempcrete and natural materials to 20+ projects across Nepal, including homes, learning centers, training facilities, gazebos, visitor centers, and prototype structures.
In 2025, SHIV formalized its leadership in natural construction through an MoU with Habitat for Humanity Nepal to promote bamboo-based construction and jointly develop natural building solutions with Ratauli Yuwa Club.
From inception, SHIV was built on three foundational commitments:
Developing natural building materials rooted in local resources
Creating regenerative supply chains for farmers and rural communities
Delivering products and systems that prioritize health, sustainability, and local empowerment
Wellness Division: Pure, Chemical-Free Products (Since 2017)
In 2017, SHIV began receiving hemp seeds from the same communities supplying stalks. This enabled the establishment of its Wellness Naturally division, focused on creating chemical-free wellness products using local materials.
SHIV began by extracting hemp seed oil in local mills, which led to its flagship Pain Relief Oil, now one of the company’s top-selling products.
Over time, SHIV added cold-pressed oils, hemp hearts, dehulled seeds, balms, and herbal blends, all produced using simple machinery and strict natural standards.
The company maintains a zero-chemicals philosophy for all seed and oil products, ensuring authenticity and customer trust.
In 2025, SHIV formalized its efforts in promoting bamboo based construction through an MoU with Habitat for Humanity Nepal and jointly executed CBFT (Cement Bamboo Frame Technology) projects in Madhesh Province, Nepal.
From inception, SHIV was built on three foundational commitments:
Developing natural building materials rooted in local resources
Creating regenerative supply chains for farmers and rural communities
Delivering products and systems that prioritize health, sustainability, and local empowerment
Crafted Naturally: Ethical Hemp Craft Manufacturing
SHIV’s craft vertical began in 2017 with a seasoned bag-making expert, producing its first bulk order for AO Alliance for their international training programs. Since then, SHIV has produced customized hemp bags and accessories for:
HempToday
Hempoint
HHH
Nepal Telecom
CFC Nepal
Asian Hemp Summit
Hemp & Humanity
Le Canebier
Rokhu
In addition, SHIV creates personalized hemp craft items for professionals, artists, athletes, doctors, masons, carpenters, and global travelers.
This vertical is closely linked to community empowerment, with production and training initiatives centered in Janakpur.
Infrastructure & Operations
SHIV’s core manufacturing, processing, and community programs are based in Janakpurdham, with a liaison/contact office in Kathmandu. All SHIV workplaces and workshops are constructed using the company’s own natural materials—hemp, bamboo, lime, clay, cow dung, and recycled CGI sheets—demonstrating the practicality and durability of its Building Naturally philosophy.
Research, Advocacy & International Presence
SHIV’s leadership team has represented Nepal’s natural construction and hemp-based innovations at major global forums, including:
NOCO Hemp Expo
IHBA Symposium
Hemp 2020 (Poland)
Asian Hemp Summits
Conferences in Vietnam and India
Dhiraj K. Shah and Nivedita Bansal also serves as Advisor for Asia at HempToday, strengthening SHIV’s regional presence and collaborations.
SHIV is actively engaged in expanding Hempcrete research and applications in India and Vietnam, working with universities, builders, and material scientists.
Certifications & Ethical Standards
SHIV was formerly Nepal’s first B-Corp certified enterprise, recognizing its commitment to environmental stewardship, ethical supply chains, worker welfare, and community impact. Although the certification was later discontinued due to technicalities, the underlying principles continue to guide the company’s operational framework.
Integrated Verticals
SHIV’s work spans three interconnected verticals:
Building Naturally
Natural construction materials, Hempcrete aggregates, lime products, bamboo systems, training programs, consultation, research support, and project implementation.
Wellness Naturally
Chemical-free seed oils, wellness blends, herbal preparations, and nutritional products made from local raw materials.
Crafted Naturally
High-quality hemp bags and accessories produced through community-centered craftsmanship and ethical manufacturing.
Vision Statement
To advance regenerative living by developing, promoting, and delivering natural materials, wellness solutions, and craft products that strengthen ecological balance, community wellbeing, and long-term sustainability.
Mission Statement
To build a natural-living ecosystem grounded in:
regenerative construction materials and technologies
ethical and transparent supply chains
chemical-free wellness products
dignified community craft production
research-driven innovation and global collaboration
sustainable livelihoods and skill development
Collaboration Opportunities
SHIV collaborates with:
construction companies & architects
NGOs and INGOs
universities & research institutions
wellness brands & health practitioners
sustainable craft and design houses
community organizations
international partners exploring natural solutions
