MIET and FICCI FLO Host JK Startup Conclave 2026
JAMMU: Model Institute of Engineering and Technology (MIET), Jammu and FICCI FLO JKL successfully organized the Jammu & Kashmir Startup Conclave 2026 (JKSC 2026) on 14th November at the MIET campus. The conclave, supported by The Ashok Kapur Foundation, brought together founders, investors, academic leaders and government officials to celebrate entrepreneurship in the region and to give budding entrepreneurs a platform to present their ideas.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Prof. Ankur Gupta, Director MIET, who welcomed the distinguished speakers, Ms. Suman Masciarelli, Founder, HOPE ROZA and Bexley Studio, Mr. Abhit Kalsotra, Chief Technology Officer, MapMyIndia, Dr. Deepak Motwani, Principal Investor Relations, Wadhwani Foundation, and Prof. Rajeev Roy, Director, First Bridge Business School. Mrs. Varsha Bansal, Chairperson FICCI FLO JK&L, also welcomed the dignitaries and spoke about the role of FICCI FLO JKL in supporting entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs, across the region. Kuwarani Dr. Ritu Singh was felicitated on behalf of The Ashok Kapur Foundation for its support to the conclave.
The keynote speakers shared their experience of building and scaling ventures across technology, consumer brands, business education and startup funding. Their talks covered turning ideas into products that customers need, growing a technology business from a small team to national scale, preparing ventures for investment, and the place of mentoring and incubation in a startup’s early years. Participants then visited the startup stalls set up at the venue and interacted with founders from the region. This was followed by an audience interaction and fireside chat with the four keynote speakers, moderated by Prof. Ankur Gupta, Director MIET.
The second half of the event featured a panel discussion on “Accelerating the Development of the Startup Ecosystem in J&K”, moderated by Mr. Ajay Khajuria, Professor of Practice, MIET Jammu. The panelists, Dr. Arun Kumar Manhas (JKAS), Director, Industries and Commerce, Govt. of J&K UT, Mr. Sudarshan Kumar (JKAS), Managing Director, JKTPO, Prof. M. T. Arvind, CIO, IIT Jammu, and Dr. Vivek Sharma, CIO, IIM Jammu, discussed government policy, institutional support, access to funding and industry collaboration needed to help young entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses in J&K. The panelists lauded MIET and FICCI FLO in organizing the Startup Conclave, which has become a marquee event in the region promoting startups. They encouraged students to embrace entrepreneurship and new venture creation to contribute to regional growth.
The Startup Awards were one of the main moments of the conclave. Six leading startups from Jammu and Kashmir received the JK Startup Pride Award for their part in building the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem: GR8 Sports India Pvt. Ltd., Studio Agama Interior, PureMart Himalayan Foods Pvt. Ltd., SAAR System Solutions Pvt. Ltd., and Green Trek Research and Development Pvt. Ltd. Twenty-two early-stage startups competed for the Early-Stage Promising Startup Awards. Jivisha Health Pvt. Ltd. was named the Most Promising Early-Stage Startup of J&K and received first prize of Rs. 75,000. Basohli Pashmina Dhaage came second with Rs. 50,000, and Donut Mall came third with Rs. 25,000. The other 19 participating startups were also recognised on stage.
The Elevator Pitching Competition drew 78 entries from institutions across the region, and 30 teams were shortlisted for the final round. After the jury’s evaluation, Dupahar AI won first prize of Rs. 25,000. Vessel Vision came second with Rs. 15,000, and Amulya Swaad came third with Rs. 10,000. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Mrs. Rupika Sahai, Sr. Vice-Chairperson, FICCI FLO JKL, followed by a networking session where participants connected with speakers and industry leaders. Other notable dignitaries present at the event included Col. (Retd.) Rajesh Sharma, Registrar MIET, Mrs. Varuna Anand, Past Chair, FICCI FLO JKL, Mrs. Ruchika Gupta, Past Chair, FICCI FLO JKL and Joint Director, MIET, Sona Mehta, Vice Chairperson and Deepti Gandotra, Joint Secretary
