From Mahabir Pun’s Innovation Center To MrBeast’s Global Audience: How Nepal’s Nyano Nani Is Helping Save Newborn Lives

 KATHMANDU — A small medical device developed in Nepal has gained international attention after becoming part of a global philanthropy project led by YouTuber MrBeast’s Beast Philanthropy.

The device, called Nyano Nani, meaning “Warm Baby” in Nepali, was developed through Nepal’s National Innovation Center (NIC) under the leadership of renowned innovator Mahabir Pun. The newborn warming device was introduced during Beast Philanthropy’s project to improve healthcare facilities at a remote hospital in Nepal, bringing global attention to a locally developed healthcare solution.

However, Nyano Nani’s journey began long before it appeared in MrBeast’s video. The innovation had already earned international recognition for addressing one of the biggest challenges in newborn healthcare: preventing hypothermia among vulnerable babies.

What Is Nyano Nani? Nepal’s Indigenous Baby Warming Technology

Nyano Nani is an infant warmer designed to provide necessary warmth to newborn babies after delivery, especially those at risk of losing body heat.

Newborn hypothermia, where babies lose body temperature rapidly, is a serious concern, particularly in areas where advanced medical equipment is unavailable.

According to the National Innovation Center, Nyano Nani was developed with the aim of creating an affordable and practical infant warming solution suitable for Nepal’s healthcare environment.

Unlike many imported medical devices that can be expensive and difficult to maintain in remote areas, Nyano Nani was designed with local conditions in mind.

The Role Of Mahabir Pun’s National Innovation Center

The innovation came from the National Innovation Center, established by engineer and social entrepreneur Mahabir Pun to promote research, technology development and innovation in Nepal.

The center focuses on creating practical solutions to address challenges faced by Nepali communities, particularly in areas such as healthcare, agriculture and technology.

Through its biomedical innovation efforts, NIC has worked on developing locally suitable medical technologies rather than relying entirely on imported solutions.

Nyano Nani became one of the center’s notable healthcare innovations.

International Recognition Before MrBeast

Before gaining global attention through Beast Philanthropy, Nyano Nani had already received international recognition.

In 2022, the device won the People’s Choice Award at the NEOMED NEOvations Bench to Bedside Competition in the United States.

The recognition highlighted the potential of a Nepali-developed healthcare device created to solve a real-world medical challenge.

The achievement showed that innovations developed in Nepal could compete on international platforms and address problems beyond the country’s borders.

How Nyano Nani Reached MrBeast’s Nepal Project

In 2024, Beast Philanthropy, the charitable arm of MrBeast’s (James Stephen "Jimmy" Donaldson) YouTube organization, worked on improving a rural hospital in Nepal.

The project focused on strengthening healthcare access by installing solar power systems and providing medical support to a facility that had struggled with electricity shortages and limited resources.

During the project, Nyano Nani was introduced as one of the locally developed technologies that could support newborn care.

The Beast Philanthropy team purchased multiple Nyano Nani devices, with plans to place them in healthcare centres where newborn care equipment is needed.

Why Nyano Nani Matters For Rural Nepal

Many rural healthcare facilities in Nepal face challenges such as:

• Limited access to advanced medical equipment

• Difficult transportation links

• Electricity shortages

• Lack of specialized newborn care facilities

For premature or low-birth-weight babies, maintaining body temperature immediately after birth can be critical.

A locally developed device like Nyano Nani aims to provide healthcare workers with a practical tool that can be used in settings where traditional equipment may not always be accessible.

A Story Of Nepali Innovation Reaching The World

The journey of Nyano Nani represents a wider story about Nepal’s growing innovation sector.

A device created to solve a local healthcare challenge moved from a Nepali innovation center to an international competition, and eventually gained worldwide attention through one of the world’s most-followed philanthropy platforms.

For Mahabir Pun and the National Innovation Center, the success of Nyano Nani represents the importance of investing in research, engineering, and locally developed solutions.

Beyond A Viral Moment

While MrBeast’s involvement introduced Nyano Nani to millions of viewers worldwide, the innovation’s significance goes beyond a single video.

Its journey shows how solutions created in Nepal can address global challenges when they combine local understanding, engineering and collaboration.

From a Nepali innovation laboratory to rural healthcare centres, Nyano Nani has become an example of how homegrown technology can create real social impact.