JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI)-District Centre Jammu, in collaboration with Government Polytechnic College Jammu, conducted the fourth Boot Camp under Startup Idea Challenge 2.0 at the college premises today, providing students and aspiring entrepreneurs an opportunity to showcase their innovative ideas and gain insights into entrepreneurship and the startup ecosystem.
The Boot Camp witnessed participation of 150 candidates, with 14 participants pitching their ideas before the jury panel. Following the assessment, five ideas were shortlisted for the next level of the Startup Idea Challenge 2.0.
The programme was inaugurated by the College Principal Er. Talat Mahmood, in the presence of District Nodal Officer, JKEDI Jammu Rajesh Kotwal; Senior Representative, J&K Bank Mohit Hans; Startup Entrepreneur and Guest Speaker Akash Gupta, besides faculty members of JKEDI and Government Polytechnic College.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Rajesh Kotwal. He outlined the objectives of Startup Idea Challenge 2.0 and encouraged participants to identify real-world challenges and develop innovative and viable solutions with entrepreneurial potential.
Addressing the participants, Er Talat Mahmood appreciated JKEDI’s initiative and emphasized the importance of fostering innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking among students.
Startup Entrepreneur and Guest Speaker Akash Gupta shared his entrepreneurial journey and practical experiences, offering participants valuable insights into the challenges, opportunities and learning involved in building a startup.
Assistant Faculty JKEDI Shiwani Sharma briefed the participants on the J&K Startup Policy 2024–27 and provided guidance on developing, structuring and effectively pitching their ideas.
The jury panel comprised Mohit Hans, Senior Representative, J&K Bank; Raj Shekhar, Head of Department, Automobile Engineering; Anshul Mahajan, Lecturer, Mechanical Engineering; and Akash Gupta, Startup Entrepreneur.
The idea-pitching session provided participants with an opportunity to present their concepts before an expert panel and receive insights on the entrepreneurial potential and practical aspects of their ideas.
The programme was coordinated by Jasdeep Kour from Government Polytechnic College, Jammu, and Monika Salaria from JKEDI, with the support of faculty members of both institutions.
The Boot Camp is part of JKEDI’s ongoing efforts to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and startup culture among students and aspiring entrepreneurs and to facilitate their engagement with the emerging startup ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.
