Srinagar, Sep 28 : The Rural Business Incubation Centre (RBIC) at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST)-Kashmir on Monday launched five flagship programmes to promote grassroots entrepreneurship across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, besides unveiling its official digital portal.

The initiatives were launched at the university's Shalimar campus during a visit by a high-level NABARD delegation led by Dr B R Premi, Chief General Manager (RMSMED), NABARD Mumbai. The event was presided over by SKUAST-K Vice Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, with Premi as the Guest of Honour.
Officials said the five programmes are aimed at supporting entrepreneurs at different stages of venture development. They include the Grassroots Pre-Incubation Program (GRIP), which will identify and validate field-level ideas; RBIC Hackathon 1.0, focused on addressing regional agricultural challenges; and a Mentorship and Acceleration Programme to help early-stage ventures achieve investment readiness and commercial growth.
RBIC also launched "Idea to Asset: Protect Your Innovation", offering intellectual property support, and "Brand Edge", aimed at strengthening product packaging, storytelling and market positioning.
The newly launched interactive website will serve as a single-window platform for incubation applications, mentor engagement, intellectual property assistance and startup-investor linkages.
Certificates were also presented to the first cohort of incubatees selected for structured incubation and venture acceleration.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Premi appreciated RBIC's progress within a year, saying the centre had created a "good impact" with the support of the university.
Prof Ganai said SKUAST-K was transitioning into an entrepreneurial hub focused on solving indigenous challenges.
He said RBIC would provide youth and researchers with institutional support and opportunities to take their innovations towards commercialisation.
Secretary Kissan Board Nuzhat Gull also attended the event and lauded the innovators and SKUAST-K for promoting farm-level technologies.
The NABARD delegation later visited the RBIC facility and reviewed its infrastructure, working prototypes and lab-to-market initiatives.