SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the Jammu and Kashmir Government is committed to creating a strong startup ecosystem and pledged continued support for young entrepreneurs, saying they should fear “not trying” rather than failure.
Addressing the inaugural session of ASCEND JK 2026 – Startup Ecosystem Summit at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, the Chief Minister said the initiative aims to help aspiring entrepreneurs turn innovative ideas into successful businesses through mentorship, funding, networking and policy support.
Stressing that setbacks are an integral part of innovation, Abdullah said failure should be viewed as a learning opportunity rather than a reason to abandon an idea. Referring to inventor Thomas Edison, he said Edison did not regard his unsuccessful attempts to invent the light bulb as failures, but as discoveries of methods that did not work.
“There is only one thing we should be afraid of—not trying. Every failure is a lesson that takes us one step closer to success,” the Chief Minister said.
He described ASCEND JK 2026 as a platform that brings together innovation, investment, government policy and market access, enabling entrepreneurs to develop ideas into products and services for markets within Jammu and Kashmir, across India and internationally.
Abdullah said interactions with young innovators had strengthened his confidence in the region’s entrepreneurial potential, noting that many startups are developing practical solutions to everyday problems.
Among the innovations showcased at the summit, he highlighted a sensor-based system to prevent water pipes from freezing during winter, digitally connected water meters to encourage efficient water use, hailstorm protection nets, carbon monoxide detection systems and automatic gas regulator safety devices.
“These are practical solutions developed by youngsters who have identified real problems and are trying to innovate meaningful solutions. No idea is a bad idea. Every idea has potential and only needs to be refined, nurtured and supported,” he said.
The Chief Minister also referred to a local entrepreneur working in the solar energy sector and said timely institutional support could help innovators from Jammu and Kashmir compete globally.
Assuring startups of government support, Abdullah said the administration was prepared to move beyond the traditional risk-averse approach often associated with public institutions.
“If we support ten startups, perhaps eight may not succeed, but the success of the remaining two can more than compensate for those failures. We are not afraid to fail. The only thing we are afraid of is not providing enough support to all of you,” he said.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to entrepreneurship, the Chief Minister said Jammu and Kashmir currently has around 1,300 to 1,400 startups and expressed confidence that the number would double by the time ASCEND 2027 is held.
He also invited investors and industry leaders to collaborate with entrepreneurs from the Union Territory, saying such partnerships could convert promising ideas into successful enterprises capable of generating employment and contributing to economic growth.
