SRINAGAR: The University of Kashmir conducted interview-cum-evaluations as part of the selection process for start-ups competing for incubation at its NewGen IEDC Business Innovation and Incubation Centre.
This initiative falls under the TIDE 2.0 scheme, a start-up support program initiated by the Government of India and overseen by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
The TIDE 2.0 scheme provides grant-in-aid support under two distinct categories, namely Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EiR) and Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Grant. These categories aim to assist nascent stage start-ups across various domains of national interest, including green technology, education, agriculture, financial inclusion (including digital payments), infrastructure and transportation, environment, clean tech, and clean energy.
The primary focus of these support programs is to aid selected start-ups in proof-of-concept development, prototype development, and final product development by offering stipulated grants to facilitate their growth and innovation.
An expert committee, meticulously selected by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Nilofar Khan, consists of Prof. Farooq Ahmad Masoodi, Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. Irshad Ahmad Nawchoo, Dean Research, Prof. Khurshid Ahmad Butt, Dean College Development Council, Dr. Nisar Ahmad Mir, Registrar, Dr. Majid Zaman, Controller of Examinations, Prof. Manzoor Ahmad Shah, Director, Internal Quality and Assurance, Dr. Sartaj Hussain, Coordinator, NewGen IEDC, and external experts including Prof Saad Parvez (NIT Srinagar), Mr. Imran Yusuf (IIT Kanpur), Dr. Muqbil Burhan (IIM Jammu), and Surya Kant (MeitY Startup Hub).
This esteemed panel will be diligently evaluating pitch deck sessions presented by approximately sixty start-up applicants over the course of two days. The participating start-ups encompass various domains, including Fintech, Edutech, Healthtech, among others, showcasing the diverse and innovative solutions emerging from the entrepreneurial landscape.
The University of Kashmir remains committed to fostering innovation and providing a conducive environment for the growth of start-ups, contributing to the larger goal of technological advancement in Jammu and Kashmir.