In a significant initiative aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in remote regions, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, in collaboration with the Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) and District Administration Kupwara, on Saturday organised a workshop under the TEJAS (Transforming Entrepreneurial Journeys Across State & Districts) programme at Government Degree College (Boys), Kupwara.
The workshop formed part of Startup India’s ongoing efforts to promote inclusive entrepreneurship and strengthen grassroots innovation ecosystems across the country. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from more than 350 aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, startup founders, students, and other stakeholders from the district.
TEJAS is a flagship nationwide initiative designed to identify, nurture, and support aspiring entrepreneurs and startups from non-metro and underserved regions by facilitating access to mentorship, institutional support, resources, and market opportunities. The programme is being implemented across 132 districts of India with a focus on capacity building, ecosystem development, and expanding entrepreneurial opportunities at the grassroots level.
The workshop featured a series of expert-led sessions on entrepreneurship, innovation, startup development, government support mechanisms, funding opportunities, market access, and sector-specific business prospects. The interactive sessions provided participants with practical insights into various stages of the entrepreneurial journey, from ideation to enterprise scaling.
Additional Secretary, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, Ateesh Kumar Singh, who was the Chief Guest on the occasion, delivered the keynote address and shared valuable insights into the Startup India ecosystem and the support framework available for entrepreneurs across the country.
Reflecting on his visit to Kashmir, Ateesh Kumar Singh remarked, “My visit to Kashmir helped me understand that startups not only have economic value but, more importantly, they bring dignity.” He elaborated on various provisions under the Startup India initiative, including startup recognition, incubation support, funding avenues, mentorship opportunities, and other institutional mechanisms available to emerging entrepreneurs.
He encouraged participants to transform innovative ideas into sustainable business ventures and underscored the role of startups in driving economic growth and employment generation. Earlier, Ateesh Kumar Singh visited exhibition stalls set up by startups supported by JKEDI under the J&K Startup Policy 2024–27.
During his interaction with startup founders, he assured them of continued support under the existing policy framework and appreciated their innovative ventures. Addressing the gathering, District Development Commissioner, Kupwara, Shrikant Balasaheb Suse highlighted the importance of promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in remote and border areas.
Referring to the Vibrant Villages Programme and other developmental interventions, he emphasized that entrepreneurship can serve as a powerful tool for employment generation and livelihood enhancement. He lauded JKEDI for organising the workshop and reiterated the district administration’s commitment to supporting youth-led innovation and enterprise development.
In his address, Director JKEDI, Mohammad Younis Malik highlighted the immense entrepreneurial potential of Kupwara despite its geographical challenges. He informed participants about various Government schemes of Central and UT of J&K, aimed at promoting self-employment and enterprise creation.
He identified sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, trout farming, honey production, handicrafts, and other locally available resources as areas offering significant opportunities for value addition and startup development. Encouraging youth to become job creators, he also stressed the importance of frugal entrepreneurship and innovative “Jugaad” solutions in building sustainable enterprises.
During the technical sessions, Pratiti, Senior Manager, Startup India, delivered a detailed presentation on Startup India initiatives and schemes. She guided participants on the startup registration process and explained how entrepreneurs can access various benefits available under the national startup ecosystem.
Earlier, District Nodal Officer, JKEDI Kupwara, Ashan Qadir highlighted the objectives of the workshop. Irtif Lone, In-charge CIIBM, JKEDI, presented an overview of the J&K Startup Policy 2024–27, highlighting its key provisions, enablement measures, and achievements recorded during the previous financial year.
An interactive question-and-answer session was also held, enabling participants to seek clarifications regarding benefits and opportunities available under the Startup Policy. Representing the corporate partner, Prof. Anil Sharma delivered a presentation on JK Cement Foundry and Smart Logistics, highlighting industry perspectives and emerging opportunities in the sector.
The participants were also familiarised with various Startup India initiatives, enabling them to better understand the advantages of DPIIT recognition, incubation support, and access to national-level entrepreneurial platforms.