Today, we live in a different Kashmir where the Start-up Culture has replaced the Hartal Culture, tourism has replaced terrorism, and laptops and ideas have replaced guns and violence.
Israar Shahid
Those familiar with Kashmir know that, unlike metropolitan cities like Delhi and Mumbai, we lag behind in several aspects—technical know-how, fashion sense, social evolution, and other factors that connect us to the fast-paced modern world. However, while we may struggle to keep up in certain areas, Kashmir’s unparalleled beauty remains unmatched. Given the region’s fragile ecosystem, setting up large industries or manufacturing units would be an impractical and environmentally damaging idea.This presents a significant challenge: how do we create employment opportunities in a place where large-scale industrialization isn’t a viable option? The answer lies in empowering the youth through government schemes, subsidies, and incentives to establish their own small-scale businesses—what we now call startups. However, just as we have lagged behind in other areas, the startup culture, too, arrived late in the Valley. To make matters worse, years of street violence and terrorism further hindered its growth, preventing this ecosystem from flourishing the way it has in other parts of the country.
The abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A in 2019 ushered in several tangible changes in Jammu and Kashmir, many of which were directly experienced by the common people. One of the most significant transformations has been the rise of the start-up culture. Quoting myself here, “Peace is the essence of life,” and I firmly believe that every other form of progress follows peace.During the peak years of unrest, such as 2008, 2009, and 2016, even something as simple as going to work in decent clothes could invite hostility. People were stopped and taunted, “CxeLaagkha Naii Pallov Ti Gacakh Duty, Ti Essi MangwaAazadi” (You will wear new clothes and go to work while we demand Azadi? That is not possible). In an environment where such incidents were common, how could one even dream of launching a startup?Today, if we witness positive developments in J&K, it is largely because of the sustained peace that now exists. This section was meant to remind my readers how gun culture robbed generations of their future. In the next part of this article, I will discuss how government policies have supported startups, benefiting a wide section of people, along with some inspiring success stories from Kashmir’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Dissecting the New J&K Start-Up Policy 2024-27
In February 2024, the New Jammu and Kashmir Start-Up Policy 2024-27 was launched with an ambitious goal—to establish at least 2,000 new startups by 2027 and transform J&K into a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship. A key highlight of this policy is the creation of state-of-the-art incubation centres that will provide mentorship, infrastructure, and financial support to budding entrepreneurs.To ensure robust financial backing, the government has introduced a ₹250 crore venture capital fund, with an initial infusion of ₹25 crore to support early-stage startups. In addition, the policy facilitates access to loans through loan guarantee programs under the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS), reducing financial risks for new businesses.Recognized startups—registered with the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)—are eligible for a one-time assistance of up to ₹20 lakhs for prototype development, branding, and marketing activities.Beyond financial incentives, the policy also emphasizes entrepreneurial education and skill development. Educational institutions across J&K are set to update their curriculums, making entrepreneurship courses compulsory to nurture a startup mindset among students. Programs like Student Entrepreneur in Residence (SER) aim to support student-led startups by offering financial assistance, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Additionally, a travel assistance program has been introduced, enabling startups to connect with global universities, accelerators, and investors, thus exposing them to international best practices in business growth. This policy marks a significant step towards fostering a thriving startup ecosystem in J&K by addressing financial, educational, and infrastructural barriers. It empowers local youth to build businesses that can compete at a national and global level.
As I mentioned earlier, establishing a startup in Kashmir was once an unimaginable dream, primarily due to two major obstacles—the lack of proper government policies and the constant threat of terrorism. However, for women, the barriers were even more insurmountable.To put things into perspective, Shabnam Lone, daughter of the slain politician Abdul Gani Lone, was threatened for her outspoken views and political aspirations. In 2014, Aamina Yousuf, a Kashmiri model, faced severe backlash and threats from extremist groups when she participated in a beauty pageant, forcing her to withdraw due to security concerns. In 2018, Kifayat Hijab, a young singer from South Kashmir, was threatened for pursuing music and had to relocate for her safety. Even before that, in 2013, the all-girls Kashmiri rock band Pragaash faced fatwas and death threats, leading to their immediate disbandment after just one public performance.These are just a few of the many examples of how women in Kashmir were silenced, intimidated, and driven away from their dreams before 2019.Fast forward to today, and the transformation is undeniable. We now see fearless female journalists like Faza Zainab, women actively participating in politics like Ifra Jan and Bisma Mir, and a growing number of women entrepreneurs like Hafsa Qayoom and Saba Nazir. This shift isn’t just symbolic—it represents a new era where Kashmiri women are no longer afraid of being abducted, threatened, or assassinated for daring to dream beyond societal constraints.
A Few Success Stories
The startup ecosystem in Kashmir has seen remarkable success in recent years, with several ventures making a significant impact. GR8 Sports, founded by Umar Nisar, has revolutionized the sports industry in the region by providing high-quality sports gear and promoting local talent on national and international platforms. Similarly, FastBeetle, a logistics startup co-founded by Ajaz Wani and Abid Rashid, has transformed e-commerce in Kashmir by offering seamless delivery services, enabling local businesses to expand their reach. Kashmir Essence, a startup focused on organic and traditional Kashmiri wellness products, has gained widespread recognition for promoting indigenous remedies and crafts. Meanwhile, Qalive, a unique Agri-tech startup, is working towards modernizing Kashmir’s saffron and dry fruit industry by leveraging advanced technology. These success stories reflect the changing landscape of Kashmir’s business environment, proving that with the right policies and a peaceful atmosphere, entrepreneurship in the region can thrive.
This is the position of Jammu and Kashmir today—a fertile land for development, which only needed a strong political will to establish peace and lay the foundation for progress. Unfortunately, no Kashmiri politician had the resolve to bring about this transformation. It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who revolutionized the region, coupled with the hugely appreciated efforts of LG Manoj Sinha, ensuring stability and paving the way for economic growth. Today, the startup culture is thriving, reaching every nook and corner of J&K, empowering youth, creating employment, and transforming the socio-economic landscape like never before. If this momentum continues, Kashmir is set to become a beacon of innovation and entrepreneurship in the coming years.
The writer is a student activist and can be reached at [email protected]
