Opinion | The Emerging Start-Up Culture in Kashmir: Challenges and Opportunities

A region long defined by conflict is now being shaped by entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic hope.

Today, we live in a very different Kashmir. The culture of Hartals has steadily given way to a culture of start-ups. Tourism has replaced terrorism, and laptops, ideas, and innovation are now more visible than stones, guns, and slogans. This shift is not cosmetic. It reflects a deeper change in mind-set, aspiration, and opportunity across the Valley. Those who know Kashmir well also know that we are not Delhi or Mumbai. We have historically lagged behind metropolitan regions in technical exposure, fashion trends, social mobility, and access to fast evolving professional ecosystems. Yet, what we have always possessed is something unmatched: natural beauty and a fragile ecological balance. Heavy industries and large manufacturing units were never a realistic option here. They would have damaged both the environment and the cultural fabric of the region. This reality raises a fundamental question. How do you generate employment and economic growth in a place where large scale industrialisation is neither feasible nor desirable? The answer lies in empowering individuals, especially the youth, to build small, innovative, and sustainable businesses. That is where start-ups come in.

For a long time, even this option remained out of reach. The start-ups culture arrived late in Kashmir, and when it did, it struggled to survive. Years of street violence, terrorism, and social hostility towards work and ambition crushed any early momentum. During the unrest of 2008, 2009, and again in 2016, even stepping out for work invited suspicion and abuse. People were openly taunted for choosing jobs over protests, for prioritising livelihoods over slogans. In such an atmosphere, the idea of launching a start-up was not just unrealistic, it was dangerous. I have often said that peace is the essence of life. Without it, no form of progress is possible. What we are witnessing today in Jammu and Kashmir is the delayed but inevitable outcome of sustained peace after 2019. The abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A brought many visible changes, but one of the most transformative has been the creation of an environment where economic ambition is no longer seen as betrayal. This change also serves as a reminder of what gun culture stole from us. Entire generations lost time, confidence, and opportunity. The present moment exists not because of luck, but because stability finally allowed people to breathe, plan, and build.

Dissecting the New J&K Start-Up Policy 2024–27

In February 2024, the Jammu and Kashmir government launched the New Start-Up Policy 2024–27 with a clear and ambitious target: to facilitate the creation of at least 2,000 start-ups by 2027 and position the Union Territory as a serious innovation hub. One of the central pillars of this policy is the establishment of modern incubation centres across J&K. These centres are designed to offer mentorship, shared infrastructure, legal guidance, and access to investors. To strengthen financial support, the government announced a ₹250 crore venture capital fund, with ₹25 crore earmarked initially for early stage start-ups. Recognised start-ups registered with JKEDI and DPIIT are eligible for a one time assistance of up to ₹20 lakh. This support can be used for prototype development, branding, market access, and operational expansion. The policy also enables easier access to credit through the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Start-ups, reducing risk for first time entrepreneurs. Beyond funding, there is a strong focus on education and skill development. Colleges and universities are being encouraged to integrate entrepreneurship into their curriculum. Initiatives like the Student Entrepreneur in Residence programme support student led ventures with mentorship and financial assistance. A travel support component has also been introduced, allowing entrepreneurs to engage with accelerators, universities, and investors outside the region and abroad. Taken together, these measures address long standing barriers related to finance, exposure, and institutional support. They also signal a shift in governance, from job seeking to job creation.

For women in Kashmir, the barriers were always higher. Entrepreneurship, public visibility, or even creative expression often invited threats. The list of examples before 2019 is long and disturbing. Shabnam Lone faced intimidation for her political views. Aamina Yousuf was forced out of a beauty pageant in 2014 due to security threats. Kifayat Hijab, a young singer, had to leave Kashmir after facing intimidation in 2018. Earlier, in 2013, the all girls band Pragaash was shut down through fatwas and death threats after a single public performance. These were not isolated incidents. They reflected a system where women were punished for ambition. Today, the contrast is striking. Female journalists like Faza Zainab work without fear. Women such as Ifra Jan and Bisma Mir participate openly in politics. Entrepreneurs like Hafsa Qayoom and Saba Nazir are building businesses in fashion, wellness, and digital commerce. This change is not symbolic. It reflects a safer public space where women are no longer forced to choose between survival and self expression.

The Valley has already produced several notable start-ups that highlight what is possible when policy and peace align. GR8 Sports, founded by Umar Nisar, has strengthened Kashmir’s presence in the sports goods sector while promoting local talent nationally and internationally. FastBeetle, co founded by Ajaz Wani and Abid Rashid, has addressed one of Kashmir’s biggest business challenges by improving logistics and last mile delivery.Kashmir Essence has carved a niche in organic wellness products by blending traditional knowledge with modern branding. Qalive, an Agro-tech start-up, is working to modernise the saffron and dry fruit sector using technology and better market integration. These ventures demonstrate that Kashmir’s economy can grow without compromising its identity.

Despite visible progress, the start-up ecosystem in Kashmir still faces serious challenges. Access to consistent high speed internet remains uneven, particularly outside major urban centres. Funding beyond the seed stage is limited, forcing many start-ups to look outside the region for investors who often lack local understanding. Market access is another hurdle. Geographic isolation increases logistics costs and complicates supply chains. Regulatory awareness among first generation entrepreneurs is still low, leading to compliance issues and delays. Social risk aversion also persists, with many families preferring traditional government jobs over entrepreneurial uncertainty. There is also the challenge of sustaining peace. Any disruption, even temporary, directly affects investor confidence and business continuity. At the same time, the opportunities are substantial. Kashmir’s strengths lie in sectors like tourism, handicrafts, horticulture, wellness, food processing, and agro technology. The rise of remote work and digital platforms has reduced the disadvantage of geography. Local start-ups can now access national and global markets without relocating. Government procurement policies are gradually opening up to local start-ups, creating assured demand. Improved infrastructure, expanding road networks, and better air connectivity are reducing isolation. A young, educated population eager to build rather than protest remains Kashmir’s greatest asset.Jammu and Kashmir today stands at a rare crossroads. It has the peace, policy support, and talent needed to sustain an entrepreneurial ecosystem. This transformation did not come easily, and it was long delayed. Strong political will, particularly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, created the stability necessary for economic revival. If the current momentum is protected and expanded, Kashmir can move from being a region once defined by conflict to one recognised for innovation, enterprise, and opportunity. The shift from strikes to start-ups is not just a headline. It is a generational reset.

The author is a political commentator and can be reached at syedjahanzeeb2@gmail.com