J&K’s 287% Startup Growth: The Untold Story of Resilience & Innovation

Despite the heartbreak of a recent terror attack in Pahalgam, the spirit of entrepreneurship in Jammu & Kashmir refuses to be broken. From the icy peaks of Ladakh to the lush valleys of Srinagar, a quiet revolution is underway — where startups, not strife, are beginning to define the region’s identity.

Shadows of Violence, Sparks of Hope

On an otherwise ordinary evening, the serene town of Pahalgam, known for its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant tourist culture, turned into a site of terror. A brutal attack claimed the lives of 26 innocent people, most of them tourists. Such occasional incidents have long cast a shadow over Kashmir, often leading the outside world to view the region through a lens of conflict and fear.

But that’s not the whole story.

Kashmir is a land of timeless beauty, rich craftsmanship, warm hospitality, and cultural depth. It is home to world-class saffron, papier-mâché artistry, handwoven pashmina, and some of the most pristine trekking trails in the country. And now, it is also emerging as a hub of innovation, where a new generation is reshaping the narrative with ideas, startups, and social enterprises.

Amid grief and uncertainty, a powerful counter-narrative is unfolding, one that speaks of resilience, hope, and transformation. Young innovators and grassroots entrepreneurs want peace, they choose business plans over protests, and community upliftment over chaos.

287% Growth: The Numbers Tell the Story

In the last five years alone, Jammu & Kashmir has seen an unprecedented surge in startups — with a 287% rise in DPIIT-registered ventures. In 2020, the valley had just 237 recognised startups. Today, that number has soared to 917, including over 330 women-led initiatives.

This wave of innovation spans across sectors — from logistics, education, tourism and wellness, to deeptech, crafts, and agriculture. Even more encouraging is the rise in micro-entrepreneurship, supported through initiatives like the Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP), which has helped incubate over 3,400 rural enterprises.

The Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) has been instrumental in nurturing local talent, reporting a three-fold increase in startup registrations in just one year — a clear indication that the ecosystem is catching momentum.

Backed by Policy, Powered by Passion

The New Jammu & Kashmir Startup Policy 2024–27, launched in March this year, has brought fresh energy to the local ecosystem. With an ambitious goal of facilitating 2,000 startups by 2027, the policy is designed to address funding, mentorship, and infrastructure gaps.

A ₹250 crore Venture Capital Fund has been introduced, with an initial ₹25 crore already allocated by the UT administration. The policy offers seed grants for prototype development through JKEDI, and special incentives for women-led startups and entrepreneurs from remote areas.

Complementing this is central government support through flagship schemes:

• ₹50 crore invested in J&K-based startups through the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) between 2020–24.

• ₹2.55 crore allocated under the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) by January 2025.

• ₹14.35 crore in collateral-free loans granted under the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) during 2023–24.

Stories from the Ground: Kashmir’s Rising Startup Stars

The buzz isn’t limited to policy papers — it’s on the ground, in the stories of young changemakers across the valley.

At the forefront of this entrepreneurial wave stands Looms of Ladakh, a women-led cooperative startup that is transforming traditional handloom practices into a scalable, ethical business.

Started in 2016, Looms of Ladakh began as a grassroots initiative to uplift women in the remote districts of Leh and Kargil. Today, it stands as a shining example of sustainable entrepreneurship. The startup empowers over 300 tribal women from the Changthang region — home to the rare Pashmina goats — by training them in spinning, weaving, dyeing, and marketing handloom products.

What sets Looms of Ladakh apart is its complete value-chain approach. From raw wool collection to design and branding, everything is handled within Ladakh. Their luxury woolen scarves, jackets, and shawls have made their way to premium urban markets in Delhi and Mumbai, and even attracted international buyers looking for ethical fashion.

Well! this is just one story... there are many, such as:

FastBeetle – Logistics for the Last Mile

Founded in 2019 in Srinagar, FastBeetle is solving the logistics problem in Kashmir with a tech-enabled platform that delivers groceries, medicines, documents, and more — even in curfew-hit or snow-blocked zones. Serving over 50,000 customers and empowering local artisans with delivery support, FastBeetle is fast becoming the Dunzo of Kashmir.

Kashmir Box – Reviving Culture, One Click at a Time

Started in 2011, this Srinagar-based e-commerce platform connects over 1,000 Kashmiri artisans and farmers with customers around the world. From saffron and spices to papier-mâché and walnut wood crafts, Kashmir Box is digitising heritage and giving artisans a new lease on life through fair trade and visibility.

Qazigund Agro – Apple of the Farmer’s Eye

This startup is bringing scientific precision to Kashmir’s age-old apple trade. Using cold storage, supply chain logistics, and digital marketplaces, Qazigund Agro is helping farmers increase margins and reduce wastage. Their model is being studied as a pilot for agri-innovation in hilly terrains.

EduGoals – Rural Learning Reimagined

Founded by a group of teachers in Anantnag, EduGoals is a mobile-first platform offering Kashmiri-language and Urdu-based learning content for students in rural belts. During the COVID lockdown, their WhatsApp-based test series went viral, helping thousands prepare for competitive exams.

Recognition Beyond the Valley

The national startup ecosystem is also taking note of J&K’s rising potential. At the Startup Mahakumbh 2025, two local startups — Genetico Private Limited and GR8 Sports Private Limited — won major accolades. Genetico, a HealthTech startup, was awarded ₹20 lakh, while GR8 Sports, focused on gamified fitness solutions, took home ₹5 lakh.

From Conflict to Creation

Yes, there are challenges — including unpredictable security conditions, fragile internet access in some regions, and risk-averse investors. But Kashmir’s founders are not waiting for a perfect storm. They are building in the middle of it.

As the world mourns the lives lost in Pahalgam, the spirit of Kashmir’s new-age builders stands firm. For every bullet that echoes through the valley, there are hundreds of business plans being written in cafes, libraries, and homes. For every fear, there is a founder. For every crisis, a creator.

Kashmir may still be healing. But in the resilience of its people and the rise of its startups, a new future is being stitched.