In a major boost to the entrepreneurial spirit of Jammu and Kashmir, two startups from the region—Genetico Pvt Ltd and GR8 Sports Pvt Ltd—emerged among the top winners at the prestigious Startup Mahakumbh 2025, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from April 3 to 5.
The national-level event, organized under the aegis of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), witnessed participation from over 2,400 startups across the country. The competition culminated in the Startup MahaRathi Challenge, offering more than ₹70 crore in funding support alongside mentorship, national exposure, incubation opportunities, and investor networking.
Representing Jammu and Kashmir under the mentorship of the J&K Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI)—the nodal agency for implementing the UT’s startup policy—Genetico Pvt Ltd clinched a ₹20 lakh award in the HealthTech and BioTech sector. GR8 Sports Pvt Ltd bagged ₹5 lakh in the Gaming and Sports category.
Genetico’s founder Arjun Gupta called the recognition a testament to the relentless dedication of his team, advisors, and well-wishers. Meanwhile, Fawz-ul-Kabir, founder of GR8 Sports, emphasized that the accolade validated their mission of leveraging gaming and technology for social good. Both founders extended gratitude to JKEDI for its unwavering support and guidance.
The UT was represented by five startups—GR8 Sports Pvt Ltd, CLMRAT Sports, AL-Hamdaan Crafts, Studio Agama, and BISA Innovation Pvt Ltd—who showcased their innovations under the leadership of Irtif Mehraj Lone, In-charge of CIIBM at JKEDI, and Zahid Ali Dar, Project Manager at JKEDI.
In a further push to foster entrepreneurship, the Industries and Commerce Department of J&K has earmarked ₹50 crore for the 2025–26 fiscal year to implement the J&K Startup Policy 2024–27. The fund will be utilized for seed capital support, startup grants, mentorship programs, incubator development, and innovation-driven initiatives across the region.
