Srinagar, Aug 19: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) has entered into a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mission YUVA and IIM Jammu to create a stronger incubation and mentorship ecosystem for youth-led innovative enterprises in Jammu and Kashmir.

The agreement establishes a joint framework to identify promising ideas, provide technical support, incubate startups and help young entrepreneurs take their ventures towards commercialisation.
The MoU was signed in the presence of SKUAST-K Vice Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Registrar SKUAST-K, Mission YUVA Joint Director Waseem Raja, SKIIE Centre CEO Naveed Hamid and representatives of IIM Jammu's Mission YUVA vertical.
The partnership moved into implementation immediately, with the SKUAST-K Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (SKIIE) Centre signing separate incubation agreements with Noorsa Innovations Pvt. Ltd. and FarmHealth Innovations Private Limited. Selected under Mission YUVA's Neo-Innovative Enterprises Scheme, the two ventures will receive incubation space, laboratory facilities and institutional infrastructure at SKUAST-K.
Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai said the collaboration would strengthen SKUAST-K's role as a platform for youth innovation and entrepreneurship. He said the university would continue providing institutional support to promising ideas and help connect young innovators with its incubation ecosystem.
Mission YUVA Joint Director Waseem Raja said the partnership would give grassroots innovators access to specialised laboratories, technical infrastructure and domain-specific mentorship. Such support, he said, would help transform innovative concepts into commercially viable and employment-generating enterprises.
SKIIE CEO Naveed Hamid said the arrangement brings together Mission YUVA's financial support, IIM Jammu's selection and evaluation expertise, and SKIIE's technical incubation infrastructure, creating an end-to-end pathway from idea development to enterprise creation.
Launched by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Mission YUVA aims to promote entrepreneurship and employment across J&K, with a target of creating more than 1.4 lakh enterprises and 4.25 lakh jobs, including high-potential neo-innovative ventures in areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, healthcare, agri-tech and sustainability.
Under the new framework, selected startups will be referred to SKIIE for technical incubation, validation and market-linkage assistance, with particular potential for innovators working in agriculture and biotechnology.
The partnership also adds momentum to SKUAST-K's growing startup ecosystem. SKIIE currently hosts more than 130 registered startups and has received support from national and international institutions.
The initiative marks a significant step towards building a stronger innovation pipeline in J&K, where ideas, technology, institutional expertise and entrepreneurship can converge to create businesses and jobs for the region's youth.