CM Omar Abdullah Vows to Bolster J&K Entrepreneurship: Announces Major Funding and Policy Support at JKEDI Start-up Mela

SAMBA, Jan 29, 2026 — Addressing a landmark gathering at the Annual Start-up Mela in Bari Brahmana, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah declared that a vibrant private sector and a robust start-up culture are the definitive solutions to Jammu and Kashmir’s unemployment challenges. Emphasizing that government jobs alone cannot meet the aspirations of the youth, the Chief Minister underscored the government’s commitment to empowering the J&K Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) as a primary vehicle for nurturing innovation across sectors like technology, agriculture, and tourism.

During the event, Omar Abdullah released a comprehensive “Start-up Policy Implementation and Outcomes” booklet and announced an increase in JKEDI’s Seed Capital Fund to bridge the gap between ideation and reality.

To provide tangible support, the Chief Minister distributed capital grants of ₹50 lakh each to incubators at prestigious institutions including IIT Jammu and SKUAST-K, alongside ₹3.60 crore in seed funding to 18 budding start-ups. Highlighting that “no idea is a bad idea” by citing global success stories like Zomato and Uber, he directed JKEDI to document local success stories and expand Start-up Melas to every district, ensuring that the creativity and talent of J&K’s youth receive the mentorship, finance, and market linkages necessary to transform the region into a premier start-up destination.