Start-up Idea Challenge – Boot Camp held at GCW Udhampur under J&KStart-up Policy 2024–2027
UDHAMPUR SEPTEMBER 11, 2025: Continuing its mission to foster innovation and empower youth through entrepreneurship, Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) in collaboration with Government College for Women (GCW) Udhampur organized a Startup Idea Challenge – Boot Camp at the college campus here today. The programme was held under the ambit of the J&K Startup Policy2024–2027 and witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 100students, aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, and faculty members from across the district.Principal of the College Dr. Nalini Pathania was the chief guest on the occasion and formally inaugurated the Boot Camp.Dr. Pathania in her remarks, commended the initiative for bringing together academia, industry, financial institutions, entrepreneurs,and support agencies on a unified platform. She praised the program’srole in nurturing entrepreneurial spirit among the youth and encouraging them to pursue innovation-driven careers.
She emphasized the Government role in fostering creativity, research,and hands-on entrepreneurial training, underscoring its significance for young innovators and entrepreneurs.The programme began with lighting of lamps followed by Saraswati Vandana by the students under the guidance of Yash Kumar and Dr.Mukteshi Sharma, Assistant Professors, Department of Music.During the interactive session, Yash Paul addressed the gathering and emphasized the significance of the Idea Challenge Workshops in nurturing innovation and building a robust entrepreneurial culture in the UT.Dr. Vinod Sharma elaborated on the J&K Startup Policy 2024–27,highlighting various incentives, support mechanisms, and the structured three-phase format of the Startup Idea Challenge—comprising idea submission, mentorship, and a grand finale.
Arshad Noomani,Functional Manager, DIC Udhampur also motivated the students to think freely and come up with innovative ideas.Earlier, Dr. Preeti Dubey, Convener, IIC Cell, GCW Udhampur,highlighted the role of the Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) at the college level. She explained that the cell has been created to nurture creativity, promote entrepreneurial thinking, and provide a platform for students to transform their innovative concepts intopractical solutions.Dr. Dubey further urged the students to actively contribute by coming forward with new ideas whenever they strike their minds, assuring them that the IIC Cell would support and guide them in refining and developing these ideas into impactful innovations.Motivational startup stories were shared by successful startups by Shubham Sharma, Founder Kalari Factory Udhampur and Karan Jyot Singh, Founder, JK INFOTECH SOLUTION PRIVATE Ltd. Udhampur.
More than 100 students attended the boot camp, 20 students and innovators presented their startup ideas before a panel of experts comprising academic leaders, industry professionals, and officials from JKEDI and the District Industries Centre (DIC), Udhampur.
Esteemed Panel Members Included Dr. Vinod Sharma, Incharge, CNECJKEDI, Dr. Neha Gupta, Head, Department of Commerce, GCW Udhampur,Yash Paul, District Nodal Officer, Udhampur, Arshad Noomani,Functional Manager, DIC Udhampur,Karan Jyot Singh, Founder, JKINFOTECH SOLUTION PRIVATE Ltd. Udhampur.The panel appreciated the creativity and enthusiasm displayed by the students, offering them constructive feedback and guidance to refine their ideas further.
Out of the pitches presented, 7 startup ideas were shortlisted to move forward in the next phase of the Startup IdeaChallenge.The proceedings of the program were conducted by Pratibha Sharmaand Priteka Sharma, students of B.Sc. Semester 5 from The department of Computer Applications.The Boot camp served as a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to refine their business ideas, gain insights from experts, and move closer to their entrepreneurial journey.The event was coordinated by the members of the IIC Cell, namely Prof.Rachna Bharti, Prof. Pardeep Kumar, Prof. Yash Paul, Dr. Madhavi Bhardwaj, Dr. Sarabjeet Kour Sudan, and Prof. Parwinder Kour. A three-member team comprising Dr. Vinod Sharma (Incharge, CNEC JKEDI), Yash Paul (District Nodal Officer, JKEDI, Udhampur), and Mudasir Ahmed Khan (Coordinator, JKEDI) also graced the occasion with their presence.