SHOPIAN/JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) on Monday continued its Boot Camp Campaign under the J&K Startup Idea Challenge, reaching Government College of Engineering and Technology (GCET), Jammu, and Imtiyaz Memorial Government Degree College (GDC), Shopian.
These sessions marked the 8th and 9th boot camps in a series of 46 programmes designed to nurture entrepreneurial spirit and startup ideation among students.
At GCET Jammu, the camp was conducted by a three-member team from JKEDI’s CIIBM vertical, Regional Campus Bari Brahmana, comprising Zahid Ali (Project Manager), Shiwani Sharma (Assistant Faculty) and Sorab Mengi (Assistant Manager). The event drew participation from 105 students, with seven presenting startup ideas before a panel of experts and JKEDI officials. Two ideas were shortlisted for the next round, with the panel appreciating their innovation and offering constructive feedback.
At GDC Shopian, the camp was led by a JKEDI team including Irtif Mehraj (Incubation Manager), Sayeem Rafiq (District Nodal Officer), Mudasir Mohiuddin (Assistant Faculty), Faheem ul Din Malik (Associate Project Manager) and Syed Rizwan (Office Associate). The programme witnessed an impressive turnout of 275 students and aspiring entrepreneurs. Five participants pitched their ideas, and four were shortlisted. Faculty and students expressed keen interest in more such initiatives for mentorship and guidance.
A similar event was also held at GDC Bijbehara, Anantnag, with over 150 participants.
All shortlisted candidates from across J&K will undergo intensive mentoring and pitch training at JKEDI campuses in Pampore and Bari Brahmana, before competing in the Grand Finale. The top 20 ideas will be presented before a jury of industry experts, investors, and policymakers, with winners receiving prizes, incentives, and incubation support from JKEDI and partner incubators.
In total, 46 boot camps will be conducted across J&K’s colleges and universities, along with two major workshops and two intensive boot camps at JKEDI campuses. These will provide focused mentoring, business model refinement, and pitch training.
The campaign is supported by event partners including J&K Bank, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Bharti Airtel, ICICI Bank, P-Mark, Jamkash Vehicleades, and Rahim Greens.
