Baramulla, Aug 26: As part of the strategic interventions under the J&K Startup Policy aimed at encouraging youth to become problem-solvers and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, the J&K Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), District Centre Baramulla, organized its first Startup Idea Challenge 2.0 of the year at Government Degree College (GDC) Sopore today.

Around 60 students registered for the boot camp, with several participants pitching innovative ideas addressing diverse problem statements and real-life challenges.
The ideas presented by the students focused on promoting tourism, improving utility management, addressing day-to-day household problems, waste management, and post-harvest management, reflecting the participants’ creativity and problem-solving approach.
The panel of experts comprised Dr. Syed Muzaffar, Principal, GDC Sopore; Anayat Sheikh, Senior Manager, J&K Bank; Mohd. Saleem, Founder, Chinar Naturals; Dr. Nadia Bhat; and Dr. Iffat, Associate Professors, GDC Sopore.
The programme aimed to identify promising and innovative ideas among young students and connect them with the wider startup ecosystem, while encouraging them to explore entrepreneurship as a pathway to solving local challenges and creating sustainable opportunities.