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SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) on Thursday organized a One-Day ‘Networking and Investors Meet–2026’ in collaboration with Tally Startup Collective and SanchiConnect, a deep-tech enablement network, at its Main Campus, Sempora.
The event, held under the aegis of the J&K Startup Policy 2024–27, commenced with an address by Director JKEDI, Mohammad Younis Malik, who welcomed investors, mentors, accelerators, founders, startups and entrepreneurs participating in the programme. Stressing the importance of such engagements, he termed the event a significant step towards building a vibrant and sustainable startup ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr. Sunil K Shekhawat, CEO, SanchiConnect; Vivek Sovasaria, Head - Startup and Govt Alliance at Tally Solutions Pvt Ltd.; Stanley Stephen, Managing Director, Small Ticket Fund; Bhavish Sood, General Partner, Modulor Capital were the resource persons of the event. Joint Director JKEDI, Chand Kishor Sharma, was also present on the occasion.
Speaking during the event, the Director JKEDI highlighted the entrepreneurial spirit deeply rooted in the region’s heritage and culture, stating that entrepreneurship has always been embedded in the ancestral mindset of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He observed that while the region has traditionally been known for tourism, handicrafts and its rich cultural identity, the youth today are increasingly exploring global opportunities through innovative startup concepts and emerging business models.
Encouraging the participating investors and accelerators, the Director JKEDI urged them not to reject raw ideas coming from young minds, but instead appreciate and motivate budding entrepreneurs. “Do not merely look at the balance sheets of our startups and founders, but see the hope and determination in their eyes,” he remarked. Irtif Mehraj, Incharge- CIIBM JKEDI, appreciated the courage and vision of young entrepreneurs and startups, stating that “daring to dream with open eyes is itself a herculean task.”
The programme progressed with sessions on “Introduction to Tally Startup Collective” and “Tally Companion Intro” by Vivek Sovasaria, who highlighted the vision of building a founder-first startup ecosystem connecting startups with investors, mentors, incubators and growth opportunities. The session introduced participants to the objectives of the Tally Startup Collective initiative aimed at strengthening long-term collaboration within India’s startup ecosystem through networking, mentorship, investor access and operational readiness support for emerging ventures.
The event also witnessed keynote sessions, panel discussions and interactive engagements with leading investors and startup ecosystem experts. Discussions focused on early-stage funding, investor perspectives on startup growth and strategies for founders from non-metro regions to access customers, talent and investment opportunities. The programme also featured networking interactions and one-to-one pitching sessions.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from startups, aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators and ecosystem stakeholders, providing a valuable platform for collaboration, mentorship and investment networking.
