Srinagar, July 24: Jammu and Kashmir’s largest-ever Startup Ecosystem Summit, ASCEND J&K 2026 – Where Mountains Meet Momentum, concluded at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), Srinagar, on Friday, marking a significant milestone in strengthening the Union Territory’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) under the aegis of the Industries and Commerce Department, the two-day summit brought together startups, investors, venture capital firms, incubators, mentors, policymakers and industry leaders from across the country.
A major highlight of the summit was the strong investor response. Twenty startups from Jammu and Kashmir pitched their ventures before 14 investors and investment networks, with seven startups shortlisted for further due diligence, opening avenues for funding, acceleration and strategic partnerships.
Two Srinagar-based startups secured investment commitments of up to ₹1 crore, reflecting growing confidence in the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
EcoBuddy, founded by Muhammad Farukh Usman, received an investment commitment ranging from ₹75 lakh to ₹1 crore from LetsVenture for its technology-driven waste management and eco-friendly packaging solutions.
Another startup, Curve Electric, secured funding support from Build3 Accelerator and angel investor Komal Nailwal, further boosting the startup investment landscape in Jammu and Kashmir.
The summit featured panel discussions on the role of incubators in scaling startups and building a vibrant innovation ecosystem. Experts stressed greater collaboration between academia, industry, government institutions and incubation centres to support sustainable startup growth.
A separate session, moderated by YourStory founder Shradha Sharma, saw successful entrepreneurs from Jammu and Kashmir share their startup journeys and encourage aspiring founders to leverage technology, mentorship and market access to build scalable businesses.
The event concluded with an investment-readiness masterclass by noted investor Shanti Mohan, who guided startups on fundraising strategies, investor expectations, financial planning and effective pitching.
Structured investor meetings and one-on-one interactions throughout the summit enabled founders to engage directly with venture capital firms, angel investors and accelerators, creating opportunities for future investments and mentorship.
Held under the J&K Startup Policy, ASCEND J&K 2026 reaffirmed the government's commitment to building a robust startup ecosystem that promotes innovation, attracts private investment and generates employment opportunities. With funding commitments, strategic partnerships and strong investor engagement, the summit concluded as a landmark initiative in positioning Jammu and Kashmir as an emerging hub of entrepreneurship and innovation.
