SRINAGAR: The Jammu Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) conducted a three-day startup orientation and mentoring programme at its Main Campus in Pampore, bringing emerging entrepreneurs face-to-face with renowned entrepreneur and startup mentor Prof Sunil Handa.
Held from August 5 to 7, the programme brought together startups, aspiring entrepreneurs, business owners, students and young innovators, with Prof. Handa conducting intensive one-on-one mentoring sessions with 43 emerging startups from across Jammu and Kashmir.
Drawing on his entrepreneurial experience, Handa offered personalised guidance on business strategy, customer acquisition, market positioning, scaling operations and building sustainable enterprises. The interactions enabled participants to reassess their business models and sharpen their growth strategies.
During the orientation session, Handa urged startups from JK to look beyond regional markets and position their products and services for national and international customers. He stressed that understanding market trends, customer behaviour and industry structures was essential for building competitive businesses.
He also advised young entrepreneurs to focus on solving real-world problems through innovation and value creation, while maintaining clarity, commitment and disciplined execution.
“Do one thing at a time” was among the central messages of his mentoring, with Handa emphasising sustained focus and consistent execution rather than spreading efforts across multiple ideas.
He further encouraged entrepreneurs to take calculated risks, learn continuously from setbacks and adapt to changing market conditions.
The programme, JKEDI said, was aimed at strengthening the startup ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir by connecting emerging entrepreneurs with experienced industry leaders and encouraging innovation-driven and sustainable enterprises.
