Srinagar, April 26: The National Institute of Technology Srinagar has awarded ignition grants to 10 emerging startups under its Cohort 2.0 initiative, in a move aimed at strengthening the startup ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.
The grants were conferred during the Ignition Grant Felicitation Ceremony 2026, organised by the Greenovator Incubation Foundation (GIF), the institute’s incubation arm. The initiative is designed to support early-stage ventures and promote innovation-led entrepreneurship across sectors such as artificial intelligence, agri-tech, healthcare, Internet of Things (IoT), and automation.
The programme, held under the theme “Providing your ideas a hand of warmth and technology,” saw nine startups from Cohort 2.0 receiving financial assistance, with grants ranging between ₹1 lakh and ₹2 lakh. The supported startups include DreamCabs KMR Pvt. Ltd., Safavi Organics LLP, FireProtek, Kashbrew Innovations Pvt. Ltd., ReWright AI Pvt. Ltd., Bluepulse Labs Pvt. Ltd., Dextrogo LLP, Abilixa Assistive Technology Pvt. Ltd., and Tree Task Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
Officials said the grants are intended to help startups transition from idea stage to product development, while also providing mentorship, technical support, and access to incubation resources.
The event was attended by senior faculty and administrative officials, including In-Charge Director Prof. Roohie Naaz Mir and Registrar Prof. Atikur Rehman, along with deans, faculty members, and administrative staff.
In his message, Director Prof. Binod Kumar Kanaujia said the initiative reflects the institute’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among youth. He noted that incubation support combined with financial assistance enables young innovators to translate ideas into practical solutions.
Registrar Prof. Atikur Rehman highlighted the role of incubation platforms in nurturing talent and promoting research-driven entrepreneurship, adding that such initiatives can contribute to job creation and regional economic growth.
Faculty members also emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in building successful startups and addressing local challenges through technology-driven solutions.
Principal Investigator of GIF, Dr. Saad Parvez, stressed the need to strengthen the innovation culture within academic institutions and underlined the role of incubation centres in linking research with entrepreneurship.
CEO of GIF Sana Aftab said the ignition grants help bridge the gap between ideas and execution, while Incubation Manager Jehangir Hameed noted that the programme offers not only funding but also mentorship and technical guidance to support startup growth.
The Greenovator Incubation Foundation, established in 2022–23 as a Section 8 company, is supported by the Department of Science and Technology under the NIDHI iTBI scheme. It aims to promote an innovation-driven ecosystem in the region by supporting startups and fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and entrepreneurs.
Officials said the latest cohort marks a significant step in building a sustainable startup ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir, with a focus on job creation, innovation, and local problem-solving.
