Some names have a way of weaving themselves into the fabric of a country’s story. In Nepal’s business world, Jyoti Group is one of those names. You hear it in conversations about industrial pioneers, in stories of how businesses first took shape here, and in passing mentions from people who remember when things were simpler.
Tracing its roots back to 1940, when Maniharsha Jyoti Kansakar established a small trading business, the Jyoti Group has become an established name in Nepal. Over the decades, it has diversified significantly, permeating the rapidly growing Nepalese economy with investments in a variety of sectors.
Saurabh Jyoti, a business leader renowned for his astuteness and modest yet friendly style, continues to carry on the legacy today. He is one of a group of young Nepalese industrialists who are determined to keep their feet firmly rooted at home, but still, they cannot resist the call of the horizon. The group, led by Saurabh, has expanded into new sectors, including hydropower, banking, and technology while maintaining the same values that have been the foundation of its success.
It is a story of roots, vision, and almost unimaginable reach that started very humbly in Nepal.
The Inspiring Journey of Saurabh Jyoti: From Legacy to Leadership
Saurabh Jyoti, born in 1977 in Kathmandu, is one of Nepal’s most respected and progressive business leaders. Primarily recognized for his influence within the Jyoti Group of Companies and Syakar Trading Company, the entrepreneur has established a reputation as a smart businessman in the automotive industry, with a strong commitment to social work.
Featured – Jyoti Group – Pic – Business 360
What sets him apart is his ability to pursue a business goal while holding fast to his value system of youth empowerment, fair business practices, and community building on the side. Going against the grain in a society where business dynasties are often perceived as unchanging and traditional, Saurabh has managed to inject rejuvenating energy while honoring the legacy he inherited.
Early Life and Education
Saurabh’s story begins in Kathmandu, where he spent his early childhood and began his early education. His academic journey soon took him across the border to Darjeeling, India, to attend the prestigious St. Joseph’s College. Those years away from home brought him in contact with new ideas, cultures, and ways of thinking, which he would later credit for his open-minded approach to and flexible thinking about leadership style.
After completing high school, he went to Bangalore for higher studies at St. Joseph’s College and completed an engineering degree from BMS College of Engineering. It was during this period that he met Ms. Srijana Shakya, who eventually became his life partner. The years spent studying and acquiring knowledge not only prepared him academically but also laid the foundation for his business career, broadened his perspective and helped reinforce the need for both technical knowledge and interpersonal skills in the world of leadership.
Entering the Family Business and Career Growth
In 1999, Saurabh, upon completing his studies, returned to Nepal and formally entered the family business. He began his career in marketing at Himal Iron and Steel, one of the flagship concerns of Jyoti Group. It was the onset of the remaining transformation. Through his focus on expanding production, automating processes, and adopting modern business methods, he played a key role in transforming the company’s operations and improving its market standing.
Saurabh, however, was not restricted to one area but instead took on many issues in several product lines, ranging from Philips Sound and Vision products to computer monitors and then tile production operations at Himal Ceramics. The experience of working across various business verticals within the group has given him a broad perspective on enterprise management and the interplay of market dynamics in Nepal.
This multifaceted experience prepared him for a pivotal role at Syakar Trading Company, which he began leading in 2003. Under his leadership, Syakar remains one of the largest names in Nepal’s automotive sector, particularly as an authorized distributor for Honda motorcycles, scooters, and cars.
A Leader with Purpose
What most defines Saurabh Jyoti, extending far beyond boardrooms and business metrics, is his unwavering commitment to social responsibility. He may be advocating for ethical business practices, developing youth empowerment programs, or contributing to community welfare schemes; he has consistently employed his influence in pursuit of causes greater than his business interests.
He has become a role model for emerging Nepali entrepreneurs, as his unusual blend of business acumen and social awareness demonstrates that factors beyond profit can propel achievement.
Jyoti Group Splits Amid Family Dispute
Being one of the oldest and most noble businesses in Nepal, after lengthy negotiations on dividing assets and powers, the Jyoti Group has now effectively undergone a partitioned existence between Padma Jyoti and his brother, Roop Jyoti. Despite having entered into a partition deed over forty years ago, disagreements regarding certain assets persisted, ultimately leading to legal battles.
A central point of dispute was over the Grande City hospital building situated over Jyoti Bhawan in Kantipath, Kathmandu. Although the hospital is run by Roop Jyoti’s side of the family, a significant portion of the hospital, encompassing more than 12,000 square feet across two floors, is registered in the name of Padma Jyoti. Critical care services, such as the ICU, NICU, operating theatres, and ENT units, fall under this area.
Tensions came to a head in October when Padma Jyoti publicly accused his younger brother of unlawfully occupying his property and ignoring multiple requests to vacate it. He also alleged long-standing issues over unpaid rent, claiming that legal battles stretching from the Kathmandu District Court to the Supreme Court had all ruled in his favor. Yet, despite this, the hospital remained in operation within his property, and Padma’s faction argued they had been unfairly maligned on social media while simply trying to enforce court rulings.
Roop Jyoti, for his part, acknowledged the legal ownership but insisted that moving sensitive medical equipment wasn’t something that could be done overnight. He maintained that since the hospital is, in essence, a family business with Padma also holding a stake, the situation should have been handled internally. Roop further claimed to have already transferred Rs 13.6 million to his elder brother’s account, covering rent obligations that would extend well into the next decade.
Meanwhile, Padma Jyoti announced a new company: the Padma Jyoti Group. Padma Jyoti heads the new group, with Mira Jyoti as the promoter; Saurabh Jyoti, Suhrid Jyoti, Srijana Jyoti, and Aarti Jyoti serve as directors. The Padma Jyoti Group manages Syakar Trading, Himal Moto, and Sun International, with a focus on theautomotive, industrial, food, and technology sectors. To continue its hundred-year legacy of entrepreneurship, social service, and contribution to Nepal’s economy is the group’s objective.
The Jyoti Group was established in the 1940s by Maniharsha Jyoti and has ventured into a wide range of sectors, including trading, manufacturing, FMCG, finance, and hospitality. The split marks the end of one of Nepal’s oldest industrial legacies as the group has gone its separate ways.
More Than a Hobby: Saurabh Jyoti’s Lifelong Love for Motorcycles
Ask anyone about Saurabh Jyoti, and most would tell you that outside the world of boardrooms and business deals, he is a man with a mature and genuine love for motorcycles. It’s certainly not something he suddenly picked up for the show; it’s been with him since he can remember.
He had ridden for the first time when he was 13 years old, and it was in the empty spaces of his family’s factory in Birgunj. It wasn’t anything flashy, just a boy, a bike, and lots of space. But something remained in my mind at that moment. The roar of the engine, the thrill of driving, the freedom of it all. Eventually, what started as an interest snowballed into a full-blown obsession.
Featured – Jyoti Group – Pic – Nepali Times
After returning from college abroad, Saurabh brought home a lucrative collection of motorcycles that included a Honda Dominator NX 250 and a vintage CBR 600 F3. However, the jewel in the crown is the one that used to belong to his father’s 1969 Honda DAX-70. After tracing the bike down years later, he repurchased the motorbike and carried out a loving restoration. From now on, it proudly stands in the hands of the Honda Museum in Motegi, Japan, a diminutive yet crucial piece of family and industrial heritage.
He still prefers to commute on two wheels whenever possible. Not for the show, just out of sheer love for it. Having kept him connected to his past and forever on his feet on the road, nurtured the simple joy of riding.
Saurabh Jyoti’s Net Worth
As of 2025, Saurabh Jyoti’s net worth is estimated to exceed 200 million Nepalese Rupees (approximately USD 1.5 million), primarily from his leadership roles with the Jyoti Group of Companies and Syakar Trading Company, which are distributors of Honda vehicles in Nepal.
The Jyoti Group, one of Nepal’s oldest industrial conglomerates, was founded by his grandfather in the 1940s. Its businesses include manufacturing, trading, and services. Under Saurabh’s leadership, the company expanded into the iron and steel, household appliances, food, and agriculture sectors, generating employment for over 3,000 people.
A significant source of his fortune is Syakar Trading Company, which dominates Nepal’s automotive market through Honda’s two-wheelers, four-wheelers, and power products. Apart from Syakar, family prominence extends to steel, cement, food production, agriculture, and financial services.
He also has real estate holdings in Kathmandu that provide income. He has investors in motorsport ventures and also a beautiful collection of vintage motorcycles, combining business sense with passion.
Wife, Children, and Personal Life
Featured – Jyoti Group – Pic – Facebook
Saurabh Jyoti is married to Srijana Shakya Jyoti, whom he met during his college days in Bangalore. Their collective experiences and mutual support have been pivotal in their personal and professional journeys. They have two children together: a son named Shreeyance and a daughter named Suhasini.
Featured – Jyoti Group – Pic – Nepali Times
In his other pursuits, Saurabh is deeply passionate about motorcycles. He began riding at the age of 13 and has built a notable collection of vintage motorcycles and bikes with rare specifications. This passion for bikes inspired him to start the first motorcycle museum in Nepal, called SJMoto, which showcases his extensive collection.
Besides motorcycles, Saurabh enjoys traveling with his family, conjuring road trips in which business merges with his pleasures. His dedication to both his family and personal passions reflects a balanced approach to life, one that intertwines business success with meaningful personal experiences.
Saurabh Jyoti: From Boardrooms to the Shark Tank Nepal
When Shark Tank Nepal was first launched in 2024, Saurabh Jyoti entered as one of the most exciting additions, breaking the barrier and coming on board as one of the sharks. Having headed Jyoti Group of Companies and Syakar Trading Company, he has earned this position due to the respect he enjoys in the Nepalese business community. He brought a refreshing and inspiring energy to the show, with decades of experience and a genuine spirit for nurturing new ideas.
Saurabh Jyoti’s diverse expertise and expansive network make him an invaluable mentor on Shark Tank Nepal. Known for his calm, positive approach, he excels at identifying promising ideas and the people behind them. His commitment to ethical practices and sustainable growth positions him as a guiding force for aspiring entrepreneurs, making his insights highly anticipated in each episode.
Awards and Achievements of Saurabh Jyoti
Chairman of the South Asian Young Entrepreneurs Forum (SYEF)(2013): Led regional entrepreneurial initiatives under SAARC.
Chair of FNCCI National Excellence Awards (2013): Oversaw productivity and quality committees, promoting business excellence in Nepal.
Key contributor to the 360 Impact Awards (2022): Recognized social heroes driving positive change in Nepal.
Panelist at CEO Unplugged (2025): Shared insights on leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Released patriotic song “Mero Desh” (2024): Showcased his personal connection to Nepal through music.
A Legacy Beyond Business: The Story of Saurabh Jyoti
Time is sped up in the world of business, and few figures have ever managed to be both ambitious and honest the way Saurabh Jyoti is. His journey from a young motorcycle enthusiast in Birgunj to one of Nepal’s most respected entrepreneurs is a tale of innovation, integrity, and social responsibility.
More than just steering family businesses to new heights, he has been actively engaged in community development, youth empowerment, and national conversations on leadership and industrial policy. Whether in the automobile sector, in his social ventures, or in an unexpected journey into music, Saurabh Jyoti continues to teach the world that leadership is equally heart as it is strategy.
In a country eager for modern role models, his story stands as a quietly inspiring one built on passion, persistence, and purpose.
Saurabh Jyoti Quick Facts
Attribute
Details
Full Name
Saurabh Jyoti
Date of birth
May 17, 1977
Education
St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore
BMS College of Engineering, Bangalore
Occupation
Industrialist, Entrepreneur, Investor
Key Positions
Chairman, Syakar Trading Company
Director, Jyoti Group of Companies
Director, Padma Jyoti Group
Known For
Leadership in Nepal’s automotive sector, youth empowerment, and social initiatives
Net Worth (Approx.)
Over 200 million NPR (1.5 million USD)
Hobbies & Interests
Motorcycles, vintage bike collection, motorsport, music
Notable Achievements
Chair of the South Asian Young Entrepreneurs Forum (SAARC)
Panelist at CEO Unplugged 2025
Released patriotic song “Mero Desh” (2024)
Shark Tank Nepal Role
Investor (Shark) Renowned for his business acumen, mentorship, and passion for innovation. Known as a fair, encouraging, and visionary investor who uplifts young entrepreneurs.
