Srinagar: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration, mentorship, and support for startups in the region.
The signing took place during "Jammu Kashmir Konnect," a startup-focused programme held at JKEDI’s Baribrahamna campus, where startups, incubators, and key stakeholders gathered to discuss innovation and growth opportunities. The MoU aims to strengthen startup support systems in Jammu & Kashmir by increasing branding, outreach, and access to Startup India’s ecosystem. It will facilitate mentorship, knowledge exchange, and infrastructure support while also focusing on market linkages, funding networks, and international expansion opportunities, aligning with India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
During the programme, the directors of DPIIT and JKEDI held discussions with incubators, addressing their challenges, needs, and future plans. The session provided a platform for incubators to share insights, suggest improvements, and seek policy-level support to enhance the startup ecosystem.
Director JKEDI Rajinder Kumar Sharma highlighted the impact of the JK Startup Policy, launched in March 2024, which has led to over 250 new startup registrations on the DPIIT portal, bringing the total to 988 in a short period. He also outlined the institute’s outreach efforts, stating that during the current financial year, JKEDI has conducted 601 Entrepreneurship Awareness Programmes across universities, colleges, higher secondary schools, and IITs in 20 districts of Jammu & Kashmir without incurring any expenses.
The "Jammu Kashmir Konnect" programme, along with the MoU, marks an important step in strengthening the region’s startup ecosystem by ensuring that aspiring entrepreneurs receive mentorship, funding opportunities, and ecosystem support.
Heads of incubators from IIT Jammu, IIM Jammu, Jammu University, SKUAST Jammu, Cluster University, and CIIIT Jammu attended the event in person, while incubators from NIT Srinagar, IUST University, SKUAST Kashmir, and CIIIT Baramulla participated virtually.
BI Bureau
