20 startups pitch before 14 investors; seven shortlisted for further evaluation
Srinagar, Jul 24: Jammu and Kashmir’s largest-ever Startup Ecosystem Summit, “ASCEND J&K 2026 – Where Mountains Meet Momentum,” concluded at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), Srinagar, on Friday, marking a major step towards connecting promising startups from the Union Territory with national investors, accelerators, mentors and ecosystem leaders.
Organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) under the aegis of the Industries and Commerce Department, the two-day summit witnessed high-level panel discussions, startup pitching sessions, investor meetings, masterclasses and networking engagements aimed at strengthening the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.
The summit generated significant investment interest, with 20 startups from Jammu and Kashmir pitching their business ventures before 14 investors and investment networks. Seven startups were shortlisted for further evaluation and due diligence, creating potential pathways for investment, acceleration and strategic partnerships.
Among the major outcomes, two startups secured funding support and investment commitments of up to ₹1 crore, reflecting growing investor confidence in ventures emerging from Jammu and Kashmir.
Srinagar-based startup EcoBuddy received an investment commitment in the range of ₹75 lakh to ₹1 crore from LetsVenture, a leading technology-enabled platform for investment in early-stage startups across sectors.
Founded by Muhammad Farukh Usman, Eco Buddy provides technology-driven waste-management solutions and eco-friendly packaging materials, addressing emerging environmental and sustainability challenges.
Another Srinagar-based startup, Curve Electric, attracted funding support from Build3 Accelerator and angel investor Komal Nailwal, further strengthening the region’s startup investment landscape.
The concluding day commenced with a panel discussion on “Role of Incubators in Scaling J&K’s Startup Ecosystem.” Moderated by Chintan Bakhshi of IIM Ahmedabad, the session brought together incubation leaders from prominent national and local incubation centres.
The panellists deliberated on the evolving role of incubators in nurturing innovation, providing technical and managerial support, facilitating technology transfer, enabling market access and helping startups scale sustainably. They emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among academia, industry, government institutions and incubators to build a vibrant and globally competitive entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Union Territory.
The second panel discussion, titled “From Mountains to Momentum: Building the Next Generation of Startup Ecosystems,” featured successful founders from Jammu and Kashmir who shared their entrepreneurial journeys, challenges and experiences of building enterprises from the region.
Moderated by Shradha Sharma, Founder of YourStory, the session highlighted how startups from Jammu and Kashmir are developing innovative solutions across diverse sectors and expanding their presence at the national level. The founders encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to remain resilient, strengthen their business models and leverage technology, mentorship and market networks to achieve sustainable growth.
The summit concluded with an interactive masterclass on “How to Be Investment-Ready,” delivered by noted investor and entrepreneur Shanti Mohan.
The masterclass offered practical guidance on building scalable business models, understanding investor expectations, preparing for fundraising, strengthening financial and operational planning and developing compelling investment pitches. The session helped participating startups identify gaps in their investment preparedness and better position their ventures for future growth.
Running parallel to the panel discussions and masterclasses, structured investor-pitching sessions and one-on-one meetings enabled startup founders to directly engage with venture capital firms, angel investors, accelerators and investment networks.
The interactions focused on business models, market potential, scalability, revenue strategies, funding requirements and long-term growth plans. These engagements provided founders with valuable feedback and opened opportunities for further discussions, mentorship and investment partnerships.
The second day witnessed enthusiastic participation from startup founders, investors, incubators, mentors, industry experts, academicians and ecosystem stakeholders from across the country. The quality of discussions and investment engagements reaffirmed ASCEND J&K 2026 as a significant platform for connecting local innovation with national capital, expertise and markets.
ASCEND J&K 2026 brought together startups, venture capital funds, investors, policymakers, industry leaders, academicians, incubators, mentors and ecosystem enablers on a common platform, transforming the summit’s theme, “Where Mountains Meet Momentum,” into meaningful investment conversations and growth opportunities.
Organised under the J&K Startup Policy, the summit reflects the Government’s commitment to building a robust, inclusive and innovation-driven startup ecosystem that enables young entrepreneurs to transform ideas into sustainable enterprises, attracts private investment and generates employment opportunities across Jammu and Kashmir.
With startups securing funding support, investment commitments and further investor consideration, ASCEND J&K 2026 concluded as a landmark initiative in Jammu and Kashmir’s journey towards becoming an emerging hub of entrepreneurship, technology and innovation.
