Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) and the Institute of Technology (IoT), University of Kashmir, Zakura Campus, on Saturday joined hands to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and startup culture in Jammu and Kashmir through institutional collaboration.
The partnership was announced during a high-impact mentorship session organised by JKEDI at its Sempora Main Campus, bringing together industry experts, technology professionals, academicians, startups, students and aspiring entrepreneurs.
The event was attended by JKEDI Director Mohammad Younis Malik, IoT University of Kashmir Director Tariq Banday, along with industry experts including Dr Mohammad Mutaher Zarger, Assistant Vice President and Head, Franchise Expansion and Portfolio Division, Lenskart, and Faisal Kawoosa, Co-founder and Chief Analyst, Techarc.
A major highlight of the programme was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between JKEDI and IoT, University of Kashmir, aimed at strengthening cooperation in entrepreneurship development, startup incubation, innovation, skill enhancement, capacity building and mentoring support for students, innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Addressing the gathering, JKEDI Director Mohammad Younis Malik encouraged youth to move beyond conventional career choices and consider entrepreneurship as a viable career option.
He said risks associated with entrepreneurship can be managed through proper mentorship, institutional support, innovation and sustained efforts. Referring to the startup ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir, he said the J&K Startup Policy is at an early stage and requires continued nurturing through outreach, capacity building and sustained institutional support.
Malik said technological advancement has transformed the way businesses are created and scaled, providing new opportunities for young entrepreneurs. He reiterated JKEDI’s commitment to providing mentorship, incubation support and a conducive environment for startups across the Union Territory.
IoT Director Tariq Banday highlighted the importance of continuous upskilling in a competitive business environment and encouraged students and entrepreneurs to utilise opportunities available under the J&K Startup Policy 2024–27.
Dr Mohammad Mutaher Zarger shared insights from the startup industry and stressed the importance of perseverance and reinvestment during the initial stages of building a venture. He explained the concept of “burn” in startups, where entrepreneurs reinvest available resources to strengthen their businesses rather than focusing only on immediate returns.
He also spoke about the “3-1-Q” approach — three years of research, one year of execution and quarterly quality checks — as a disciplined framework for developing sustainable ventures.
Highlighting changing business models, Zarger said modern commerce has evolved into a “phygital” ecosystem combining physical and digital experiences. He advised startups to remain market-focused, adopt innovation-driven models and build engagement with investors and ecosystem stakeholders.
Faisal Kawoosa emphasised the importance of data-driven decision-making and market intelligence for startup success. He said entrepreneurs must identify their unique selling propositions and use data insights to understand market trends, customer behaviour and organisational capabilities.
The session witnessed active participation from startups, students and aspiring entrepreneurs, who interacted with experts and sought guidance on innovation, business strategy, market growth and available institutional support.
