UDHAMPUR: In a bid to promote innovation and empower youth through entrepreneurship, the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) organized a Startup Idea Challenge – Boot Camp at Government College for Women (GCW), Udhampur.
Held under the ambit of the J&K Startup Policy 2024–2027, the event drew enthusiastic participation from over 100 students, aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, and faculty members from across the district.
The boot camp was inaugurated by Dr. Nalini Pathania, Principal, GCW Udhampur, who underlined the government’s commitment to nurturing creativity, research, and hands-on entrepreneurial training—key pillars for shaping future innovators.
The program began with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony and Saraswati Vandana, performed under the guidance of Prof. Yash Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Music.
During the interactive sessions, Yash Paul, District Nodal Officer, highlighted the importance of Idea Challenge workshops in cultivating innovation and fostering a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem in J&K. Dr. Vinod Sharma, Incharge CNEC JKEDI, explained the J&K Startup Policy 2024–27, detailing its incentives, support mechanisms, and the structured three-phase framework of the challenge—idea submission, mentorship, and the grand finale.
Encouraging students to think freely and embrace innovation, Arshad Noomani, Functional Manager, DIC Udhampur, delivered a motivational address. Inspiring startup journeys were also shared by Shubham Sharma, Founder of Kalari Factory Udhampur, and Karan Jyot Singh, Founder of JK Infotech Solution Pvt. Ltd., Udhampur.
Over 100 students attended the boot camp, with 20 participants presenting their startup ideas before an expert panel comprising academic leaders, industry professionals, and officials from JKEDI and DIC Udhampur.
Esteemed panel members included:
Dr. Vinod Sharma, Incharge CNEC JKEDI
Dr. Neha Gupta, Head, Department of Commerce, GCW Udhampur
Yash Paul, District Nodal Officer, Udhampur
Arshad Noomani, Functional Manager, DIC Udhampur
Karan Jyot Singh, Founder, JK Infotech Solution Pvt. Ltd.
The panel commended the creativity and passion of the students, offering constructive feedback to help them refine their ideas. Out of the pitches presented, seven startup ideas were shortlisted for the next phase of the challenge.
The boot camp proved to be an engaging platform for budding entrepreneurs to polish their business ideas, gain expert insights, and take significant steps toward their entrepreneurial journey.
