Jammu: In a significant boost to Jammu & Kashmir’s startup ecosystem, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) J&K successfully hosted its flagship Startup Roundtable at Hotel Radisson, Jammu on May 5, 2025.
The day-long event brought together over 70 participants including budding entrepreneurs, industry leaders, academicians, and government representatives to chart a roadmap for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in J&K. The roundtable served as a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, featuring in-depth discussions on critical themes including unlocking J&K’s entrepreneurial potential, strengthening incubation infrastructure, leveraging the Startup India initiative, and maximizing the impact of the J&K Startup Policy 2024.
The event saw thought-provoking deliberations from distinguished speakers who shared their vision for J&K’s startup landscape. Mr. Shivang Mahajan, Convener of CII J&K Startup Panel, emphasized, with its unique strengths and untapped potential, Jammu & Kashmir is poised to become a hub for innovation. What we need now is sustained collaboration between industry, academia and the government to create a thriving ecosystem. “Dr. Vivek Sharma, Chief Innovation Officer at IIM Jammu, highlighted the importance of mentorship, stating, “Our focus should be on building robust support systems that help startups navigate challenges and scale effectively. The panel discussion on ‘Scaling Ideas to Impact’ saw active participation from Dr. Sourabh Saran of IIIM Jammu and CA Ayush Sawhney, who shared practical insights on converting innovative ideas into sustainable businesses.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of inspiring success stories from J&K-based startups across sectors like agri-tech, tourism and handicrafts, demonstrating the region’s entrepreneurial capabilities. The interactive Open House session allowed participants to engage directly with experts, addressing specific challenges and opportunities.
The roundtable concluded with a memento felicitation ceremony honouring the speakers and chief guests for their contributions. In his special address Dr. M.A. Alim, Chairman of CII J&K UT Council, remarked, Today’s discussions have set the stage for concrete actions that will propel J&K’s startup ecosystem to new heights. With participants from across the UT and beyond, the event successfully fostered meaningful connections and laid the foundation for future collaborations in the region’s entrepreneurial journey.
