The Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) on Thursday organized a transformative dialogue titled “Innovate J&K: Dialogue for a Startup-Driven Future” at its Main Campus in Sempora, Pampore. The event aimed to strengthen the startup ecosystem in the Union Territory by fostering innovation, mentorship, and entrepreneurial growth.
The day-long event drew over 100 participants, including early-stage startups, entrepreneurs, university students, and thought leaders, offering a platform for knowledge exchange, mentorship, and strategic discussions.
Key resource persons included Khair Ull Nissa Sheikh, Executive Director of Alson Motors and Principal Advisor at World Trade Centre India Services, and Arjimand Hussain Wani, a renowned development economist and international policy analyst.
Khalid Jahangir, Secretary of the Industries and Commerce Department (with additional charge as Director JKEDI), delivered the inaugural address. He emphasized the region’s deep-rooted entrepreneurial culture and the urgent need to harness it for modern, scalable ventures.
“The entrepreneurial spirit is not new to Jammu & Kashmir—it’s in our DNA. With the right direction and innovation, we can shape a future-ready business environment,” he said.
He highlighted the J&K Startup Policy and JKEDI’s current efforts to strengthen mentorship, which he described as a “pillar” for ecosystem development. “Today’s session is part of a broader strategy to offer one-on-one mentorship and create support networks for startups,” he added.
In her address, Khair Ull Nissa Sheikh delved into the challenges of decision-making, sustainable growth, and disciplined execution. She urged young entrepreneurs to align their goals with the "Four Hs"—Handicrafts, Horticulture and Agriculture, Hospitality, and Healthcare—while embodying the "Three Ds"—Discipline, Dedication, and Delayed Gratification.
In the second session, Arjimand Hussain Wani offered a global perspective on the evolving employment landscape, citing the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report, which predicts a 39% shift in core job skills by 2030. He encouraged startups to prepare for disruptive trends in green technology, AI, the care economy, and e-commerce, and to use scenario planning—including Best, Base, Worst, and Opportunity Case models—in their business strategies.
“Entrepreneurship is not just a career choice—it’s a necessity in the emerging global economy. Growth lies beyond comfort zones,” Wani remarked, citing successful local ventures as proof of possibility.
A key feature of the event was the one-on-one mentorship sessions led by the guest speakers. Selected startups received tailored advice on refining their business models, overcoming operational challenges, and planning for sustainable growth.
Participants praised the event for its practical value and strategic insights.
“The dialogue helped us think beyond the obvious and provided actionable takeaways,” said one entrepreneur.
“The personal mentoring sessions gave us clarity and direction,” added another.
The event concluded with a lively Q&A session, followed by a reaffirmation of JKEDI’s commitment to promoting entrepreneurship across Jammu and Kashmir. Future initiatives include Idea Challenge Competitions in schools and colleges to nurture innovation from a young age.
With events like "Innovate J&K," JKEDI continues to solidify its role as a cornerstone of entrepreneurial development in the region, helping transform talent into tangible, sustainable businesses.