Srinagar: In a significant push to strengthen the startup ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir, the Greenovator Incubation Foundation (GIF) at National Institute of Technology Srinagar awarded ignition grants to 10 emerging startups under Cohort 2.0 during the Ignition Grant Felicitation Ceremony 2026.
Held under the theme “Providing your ideas a hand of warmth and technology,” the ceremony marked a key step towards promoting innovation-driven entrepreneurship by supporting early-stage ventures across sectors including artificial intelligence, agri-tech, healthcare, IoT, and automation.
The event was organised by the GIF core team comprising CEO Sana Aftab, Incubation Manager Jehangir Hameed, and DEO Waseem Ahmad Mir, who highlighted the importance of structured incubation support in enabling young entrepreneurs to scale their ideas.
A total of nine startups were felicitated under Cohort 2.0 and provided grant support by GIF NIT Srinagar for their innovative solutions. These included DreamCabs KMR Pvt. Ltd., owned by Uzair Hameed Zargar and Murchana Baishya, which received ₹2,00,000; Safavi Organics LLP, owned by Syed Sakib Abbas (₹1,50,000); FireProtek, owned by Syed Faizan and Midhat Yassin (₹1,50,000); Kashbrew Innovations Pvt. Ltd., owned by Yousman Zahoor (₹2,00,000); ReWright AI Pvt. Ltd., owned by Ovais Nazir and Aaliya Nazir (₹1,00,000); Bluepulse Labs Pvt. Ltd., owned by Zubair Ahmad Dar (₹1,00,000); Dextrogo LLP, owned by Sikandar Ahmad Mir (₹1,00,000); Abilixa Assistive Technology Pvt. Ltd., owned by Sania Jan (₹2,00,000); and Tree Task Technologies Pvt. Ltd., owned by Dr. Ahmer Bashir Shah, which also received ₹2,00,000.
The programme was attended by senior faculty and officials, including In-Charge Director and Dean Research & Consultancy Prof. (HAG) Roohie Naaz Mir, Institute Registrar Prof. Atikur Rehman, Dean Faculty Welfare Prof. Manzoor Ahmad Ahangar, Dean Alumni and International Affairs Prof. M. A. Shah, Dr. M. Hanief (HOD MED), and Dr. Dinesh Kumar Rajendran, Assistant Professor.
From the administration, Deputy Registrar (Accounts) Mrs. Nazia Nazir, Deputy Registrar (Administration, Director’s Office) Faisal Irshad Ganai, Assistant Registrar (Administration) Mubashir Ahmad Wani, and Assistant Registrar (Accounts) Shahid Hamid Najar were also present.
In his message, Director NIT Srinagar Prof. Binod Kumar Kanaujia said that such initiatives reflect the institute’s commitment to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship among youth. He noted that incubation support, along with financial assistance, enables young innovators to transform ideas into meaningful solutions for society.
Registrar Prof. Atikur Rehman emphasised that platforms like GIF are crucial for nurturing talent and promoting research-based entrepreneurship. He added that sustained institutional support would help startups grow and generate employment opportunities in the region.
Prof. Babar Ahmad (MED) highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in building successful startups, stating that the selected ventures reflect emerging technologies while addressing local challenges.
Dr. Saad Parvez, Principal Investigator (GIF), stressed the need to build a strong culture of innovation in academic institutions. He said incubation centres play a vital role in supporting young entrepreneurs and underscored the importance of linking research, innovation, and entrepreneurship for economic growth.
CEO GIF Sana Aftab said that such grant programmes help bridge the gap between ideas and implementation, adding that timely funding and mentorship are critical for startups to survive and grow.
Incubation Manager Jehangir Hameed said the Ignition Grant programme supports early-stage startups by enabling them to convert ideas into practical products and services. He added that apart from funding, the programme also provides mentorship, technical support, and access to resources.
GIF-NIT Srinagar was established in 2022–23 as a Section 8 company with the aim of fostering an innovation-driven economy in the region. It is supported by the Department of Science and Technology under the iTBI NIDHI Scheme, with Dr. Saad Parvez serving as Principal Investigator and Prof. Rakesh Sehgal as Co-Principal Investigator.
The foundation is currently managed by a seven-member Board of Directors chaired by the Director of NIT Srinagar. The board comprises professionals from academia, financial institutions, the startup ecosystem, and industry, ensuring diverse expertise and strategic guidance.
