Srinagar Startup Summit to Boost Employment and Innovation
Srinagar will host an important Startup Summit in October 2025, uniting entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to explore the expansion and obstacles of the startup environment in Jammu & Kashmir. This event is anticipated to stimulate innovation and generate new job opportunities in the area.
The summit will include conversations covering different industries, such as technology, agriculture, and handicrafts, showcasing the varied opportunities within J&K's startup environment. Programs such as StartupJK and the government's Startup Policy 2024-2027 have played a crucial role in fostering local startups, offering essential resources and assistance.
Recent statistics show a notable increase in startup registrations, with more than 1,100 identified startups in the area by 2025. Together, these initiatives have generated almost 5,000 direct jobs, aiming to empower local youth and women business owners.
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The forthcoming summit is viewed as a tactical step to further bolster the startup ecosystem, encourage sustainable economic development, and improve job opportunities for the young people of Jammu & Kashmir.
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The initiative to boost start-ups aligns with wider industrial policy shifts that have attracted unprecedented investments into the Union Territory in recent years. In the initial five months of FY26, projects exceeding ₹4,000 crore were halted, resulting in the creation of over 5,000 jobs, as MSMEs remain essential to the economy, accounting for 8 percent of GSDP and providing employment for around 11 lakh individuals.
“The start-up landscape in Kashmir possesses significant promise, yet it requires steady policy backing, improved financial accessibility, and a culture that fosters innovation,” stated Qasi Tauseef, representative of the Kashmir Economic Alliance, a coalition of traders, manufacturers, and transportation groups.
He mentioned that young people in Kashmir possess ideas capable of competing on a global scale, but they face obstacles due to infrastructure deficiencies and regulatory challenges.
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Crafts, historically a mainstay of J&K’s exports, are now gaining fresh policy focus. Srinagar has recently been acknowledged by UNESCO as a member of its Creative Cities Network, and the government has introduced QR-based certification for craft products, a world first, to combat counterfeiting. As per official statistics, exports from the sector increased more than twofold to ₹1,163 crore in 2023-24.