Srinagar, July 24: Director, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, Dr. Bhuvnesh Pratap Singh, IAS, on Friday visited the Greenovator Incubation Foundation (GIF)—the Inclusive Technology Business Incubator hosted at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar to review its startup ecosystem, interact with entrepreneurs, and assess ongoing efforts to promote innovation and technology-led entrepreneurship in Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr. Bhuvnesh was accompanied by CA Tripti Shinghal Somani, Founder of WOMENNOVATOR – Global Incubator for Women, and Shabir Hussain Shah, Faculty Member, Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI).
The visiting delegation toured the Greenovator Incubation Centre, including its Fabrication Laboratory (Fab Lab) and startup cubicle spaces, where incubated startups showcased their products, technologies, and entrepreneurial journeys.
The interaction focused on innovation, technology commercialisation, market access, product development, investment readiness, and scaling opportunities for emerging enterprises.
The DPIIT Director held detailed interactions with startup founders, encouraging them to develop technology-driven solutions capable of addressing societal challenges while creating sustainable business opportunities.
He also appreciated the quality of innovations emerging from the incubator and stressed the importance of strengthening linkages between academia, industry, government, and investors to build a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.
They also reviewed the incubation facilities and acknowledged the efforts being undertaken by Ms. Sana Aftab, CEO and Mr. Jehangir Hameed, Incubation Manager, in strengthening the innovation and startup ecosystem through incubation, mentorship, capacity building, and industry engagement.
In his message, Director, NIT Srinagar, Prof. Binod Kumar Kanaujia described the visit as a significant recognition of the institute’s growing innovation ecosystem. He said the institute remains committed to promoting research-driven entrepreneurship by providing students and innovators with world-class incubation facilities, mentorship, and industry exposure.
He added that Greenovator Incubation Foundation has emerged as an important platform for translating research into commercially viable technologies and generating employment through innovation.
Registrar, NIT Srinagar, Prof. Atikur Rehman, said the institute is consistently working to create an enabling environment where innovation and entrepreneurship can flourish.
He noted that collaborations with national institutions such as DPIIT and ecosystem partners provide valuable opportunities for startups to receive expert guidance, connect with industry stakeholders, and access larger markets. Such engagements, he said, inspire young innovators to transform ideas into impactful enterprises.
During the visit, the delegation reviewed the incubation infrastructure and appreciated the efforts of Sana Aftab, CEO, Greenovator Incubation Foundation, and Jehangir Hameed, Incubation Manager, in strengthening the startup ecosystem through incubation support, mentoring, capacity building programmes, industry partnerships, and innovation-driven initiatives.
The visit highlighted the importance of collaboration among government agencies, higher educational institutions, incubation centres, and industry partners to accelerate technology commercialisation and strengthen the startup ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.
