Zero-to-One Execution
Every company started from a blank page. Ideas are cheap; operations are not. I back what I’m willing to build myself: first customer, first dollar, first proof the thing works.
Sthaaz — · Founder · Builder · Operator
I create ventures that
transcend borders.
I build and manage businesses in fintech, cybersecurity, cloud computing, energy, trade, consumer goods, and capital deployment. Each venture is bootstrapped, reflecting a founder's mindset and a builder's approach to operations, product, and market.
About
Who is Sthaaz?
The operator behind Crestha Holding — and the person who makes its hard calls.
I'm Rajendra Shrestha, known as Sthaaz. I founded Crestha Holding in 2023 to build and operate companies—not just hold them.
From writing code to closing deals and building teams, I remain hands-on with products, customers, and performance. My focus spans fintech, cross-border payments, cybersecurity compliance, and practical AI for financial services.
Rooted in Kathmandu, building globally. Each company has its own leadership; I set the direction and make the hard calls.
Lead with conviction. Build with purpose.
Approach
How does he operate?
Four principles that run through the companies in the group.
Cross-Border by Design
The businesses are structured across markets because the work demands it: talent, market access, and the regulatory depth serious finance requires. Geography is a design decision, not a vanity metric.
Operational Depth
I don’t delegate understanding. Whether it’s PCI-DSS compliance, banking rails, or cloud infrastructure, I go deep enough to make the hard calls myself.
Capital With Conviction
Through ILA Venture I back founders with capital, incubation, and advisory — into businesses I’d be willing to operate myself. No spray-and-pray.
Portfolio
What companies does the group operate?
From financial infrastructure to hospitality — every company below was built from scratch and operates as its own business under Crestha Holding.
Techrida
Founder · Serves banks and financial institutions
Techrida
Enterprise technology for financial institutions: cross-border banking infrastructure, digital lending platforms, and BFSI transformation.
Cross-Border BankingDigital LendingBFSI
One Compliant
Founder · Serves regulated businesses and financial institutions
One Compliant
Cybersecurity operations: PCI-DSS compliance, VAPT assessments, consulting engagements, and cyber forensic investigations.
PCI-DSSVAPTCyber Forensics
Crestia Cloud
Founder · Serves enterprises and institutions
Crestia Cloud
Cloud infrastructure: managed hosting, DNS, virtual compute, storage, and dedicated servers.
HostingVirtual ComputeDNSStorage
ILA Venture
Founder · Backs founders with capital, incubation, and advisory
ILA Venture
The group’s capital and incubation arm: seed investment, venture incubation, and strategic capital — and home to its consumer brands, Gurkha Grind coffee and Mansiri Tea.
Tashi Xpress
Founder · Serves trading and distribution businesses
Tashi Xpress
Cross-border trade: import/export logistics and supply chain operations.
Import/ExportTrade
Crest Digital Studios
Founder · Serves companies needing engineering capacity
Crest Digital Studios
Offshore development and technology consulting: products and engineering teams for global clients.
Offshore DevConsulting
Hydro
Founder · Holding-level investment
Hydro
A long-term investment venture under Crestha Holding: hydropower infrastructure, held for patient returns.
EnergyInvestment
Café de la Ilaria
Founder · In development
Café de la Ilaria
An upcoming hospitality project: café and restaurant operations, built on provenance and craft.
HospitalityCafé
Insights
On building
Lessons from operating across borders, sectors, and stages.
#Operations
Operator vs. Investor: Why I Choose Both
The best capital comes from people who've operated. I deploy into ventures I'd be willing to run — and often do.
#APAC Markets
The Case for Building in Nepal, Scaling Through Singapore
Emerging markets reward patience and infrastructure. How I architect cross-border operations that survive regulatory complexity and win on execution speed.
#Venture Building
Why I Build Holdings, Not Startups
The holding structure isn't a vanity play — it's an operating system. Shared infrastructure, cross-entity leverage, and one thesis across eight companies.
Read more — Why I Build Holdings, Not StartupsSep 24, 2026
Questions
Common questions
The short answers — who I am, what Crestha Holding is, and how partnership works.
- Who is Sthaaz?
- Sthaaz is the personal brand of Rajendra Shrestha, a founder and operator. He founded Crestha Holding in 2023 to build and operate companies — not just hold them.
- What is Crestha Holding?
- Crestha Holding is the group through which Rajendra Shrestha builds and operates companies. Every company in it was built from scratch and runs as its own business with its own leadership.
- What does Rajendra Shrestha build?
- The portfolio spans fintech infrastructure, cybersecurity, cloud computing, capital, cross-border trade, offshore engineering, hydropower, and hospitality.
- How can I partner with Crestha Holding?
- Most partnership conversations start directly. Holding-level partnerships are for investors and strategic partners exploring alignment with Crestha Holding and what the group is building.
- Can I hire a Crestha Holding company?
- Yes. Every company in the group works with external clients — from banking infrastructure and compliance to cloud, engineering, and trade. Say which venture fits and you will be connected with the right team.
- Does ILA Venture invest in founders?
- ILA Venture is the group’s capital and incubation arm. It backs founders with capital, incubation, and advisory, into businesses that fit the group’s thesis.
- What industries does the group operate in?
- Financial technology and cross-border banking infrastructure, cybersecurity and compliance, cloud infrastructure, venture capital and incubation, import and export trade, offshore software engineering, hydropower, and hospitality.
Partnership
Discuss a partnership
Most of what I do starts with a direct conversation. Partnership takes three shapes here — through Crestha Holding and its companies.
Get in touch
Reach out via any channel below — or send the form.
Holding-level partnership. For investors and strategic partners: conversations about aligning with Crestha Holding and what the group is building.
Venture clients. Every company in the group works with external clients — from banking infrastructure and compliance to cloud, engineering, and trade. Tell me which venture fits and I'll connect you with the right team.
Founders. Through ILA Venture I offer capital, incubation, and advisory — for businesses that fit the group's thesis and that I'd be willing to help operate.