Six innovative ideas shortlisted
SHOPIAN/JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute’s (JKEDI) Boot Camp Campaign under J&K Startup Idea Challenge on Monday reached the Government College of Engineering and Technology (GCET), Jammu and Imtiyaz Memorial Government Degree College (GDC), Shopian.
These boot camps, which were eighth and ninth in the series of 46 programs, aimed to foster startup ideation and entrepreneurial spirit among the students.
At Jammu, the boot camp under the J&K Startup Idea Challenge was held at Government College of Engineering and Technology (GCET), Jammu and was conducted by a three-member team from CIIBM vertical of JKEDI Regional Campus Bari Brahmana, including Zahid Ali, Project Manager, JKEDI, Shiwani Sharma, Assistant Faculty, JKEDI and Sorab Mengi, Assistant Manager, JKEDI.
The boot camp witnessed participation from 105 students, showcasing their enthusiasm for exploring entrepreneurship as a viable career choice. Out of these students, seven participants pitched their startup ideas before the panel of experts designated from the college and officers/officials of JKEDI.
Two ideas were shortlisted for the next rounds. The panel appreciated their creativity and provided constructive feedback. The session concluded with an interactive exchange of ideas, where students received encouragement and insights from the distinguished panel.
At Shopian, the boot camp under the J&K Startup Idea Challenge was held at Imtiyaz Memorial Government Degree College, Shopian. The boot camp was conducted by a team including Irtif Mehraj, Incubation Manager, JKEDI; Sayeem Rafiq, District Nodal Officer, JKEDI, Shopian; Mudasir Mohiuddin, Assistant Faculty; Faheem ul Din Malik, Associate Project Manager; and Syed Rizwan, Office Associate.
The boot camp saw participation of 275 students and aspiring entrepreneurs. Out of these, five participants pitched their ideas before the designated panel of experts from the college, Lead District Manager (LDM), J&K Bank and officers/officials of JKEDI. Out of these, four ideas made it to the next round. The students and faculty members expressed their desire to be a part of more such programmes to take advantage of the mentorship and handholding.
A programme was also held under the J&K Startup Idea Challenge at GDC Bijbehara, Anantnag, which saw participation of more than 150 candidates.
The shortlisted participants will undergo intensive mentoring and pitch training at JKEDI’s Pampore and Bari Brahmana campuses before competing in a Grand Finale, where the best 20 ideas will be presented before a jury of industry experts, investors, and policymakers. The winners will receive prizes, incentives, and incubation support at JKEDI and partner incubators across J&K.
A total of 46 boot camps shall be held across the colleges and universities of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir under the J&K Startup Idea Challenge. In addition, two major workshops and two intensive boot camps will be organised at JKEDI’s Pampore and Bari Brahmana campuses. These sessions will offer focused mentoring, pitch training, and business model refinement for the shortlisted participants.
The boot camps are being organised with support from event partners, Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Bharti Airtel Private Limited, ICICI Bank, P-Mark, Jamkash Vehicleades and Rahim Greens.
