SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has seen a steady rise in the number of women-led startups, with 82 such enterprises now registered as of 2023, compared to just 12 in 2019. The figures, revealed in a recent response by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Parliament, highlight a growing entrepreneurial spirit among women in the region. The government’s support mechanisms, particularly under the Startup India initiative, have contributed significantly to this increase.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) reported that as of October 2024, over 73,000 startups across India have at least one woman director. The region’s women-led startups benefit from various funding schemes, including the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS). In Jammu and Kashmir, women-led startups have received a total of Rs 1.55 crore in funding from selected incubators under the SISFS, with additional support coming through loans guaranteed under CGSS.
To promote further growth, the government has rolled out initiatives like the Women Capacity Development Programme (WING), which supports aspiring women entrepreneurs across various sectors. These measures are designed to provide women entrepreneurs with the necessary resources to thrive, overcoming challenges such as access to finance, technology, and market opportunities. Furthermore, the government has introduced state-specific workshops to build the capacity of women entrepreneurs, focusing on aspects like government scheme awareness and financial training.
