National Venture Funds Connect with Jammu Kashmir Startups at First SRI Fund Outreach in Srinagar

SRINAGAR: Jammu Kashmir took a significant step toward integrating its startups and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) into the national venture capital ecosystem as the first-ever “Self-Reliant India (SRI) Fund Outreach” was held in Srinagar on Saturday.

Organised by the Jammu Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) in collaboration with the Union Ministry of MSME and NSIC Venture Capital Fund Limited (NVCFL), the event—also titled “JK Capital Connect: Investing in JK MSMEs and Startups through SRI Fund”—served as a major platform linking local entrepreneurs with national venture capitalists and institutional investors.

The outreach, held under the JK Startup Policy 2024–27, introduced the region’s business community to the Rs 50,000 crore SRI Fund, a Fund of Funds scheme launched under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. The SRI Fund aims to enhance access to equity capital for MSMEs and startups through a Mother Fund–Daughter Fund structure, extending the reach of venture capital to emerging regions like Jammu Kashmir.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who addressed the gathering, said the initiative would help bridge the funding gap for JK’s entrepreneurs and strengthen linkages between the region’s industrial ecosystem and national financial institutions. “We must leverage our existing strengths, better infrastructure, and build strong partnerships to support MSMEs and startups,” he said, congratulating the organisers for creating direct connections between investors and JK-based enterprises.

The event brought together over 24 national venture funds, including IvyCap Ventures, Omnivore Agritech and Climate Sustainability Fund, Chiratae Ventures, Gaja Capital, Greenstone Fund, and Antler Innovation India Fund, reflecting growing investor interest in the region. More than 90 JK startups participated in networking and pitch sessions, presenting their business ideas to investors and fund managers.

Key sessions during the event focused on the structure and operational flow of the SRI Fund, alongside panel discussions on “Fueling Startup Growth,” “Disruption and Opportunity,” and “Enhancing Market Access.” Entrepreneurs from the region shared success stories of growth through equity-based funding and venture partnerships.

Senior officials from the Ministry of MSME, the Department of Industries and Commerce, and NVCFL were present, including Joint Secretary MSME Mercy Epao, Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce Vikramjit Singh, NVCFL Chairman and NSIC CMD Dr Subhranshu Sekhar Acharya, and JKEDI Director Khalid Jahangir. The event also saw participation from Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo, Director Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir Mussarat Zia, and other senior officers.

In his closing remarks, JKEDI Director Khalid Jahangir said the outreach had successfully connected local innovators with national funding sources, marking “a new era for entrepreneurship in Jammu Kashmir.”

By linking startups and MSMEs with national venture funds, the SRI Fund Outreach is expected to accelerate equity-based financing and reinforce Jammu and Kashmir’s position as an emerging destination for innovation-driven growth and investment.