Showkat Dar
Awantipora, Jan 30: The CIED–IUST Foundation at the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Kashmir, has been awarded a Capital Grant of ₹50 lakh under the Jammu and Kashmir Startup Policy 2024–27. The Foundation was among the top four incubators across Jammu and Kashmir selected for this prestigious grant, reaffirming its position as a leading institution in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the Union Territory.
The Capital Grant was formally announced and disbursed during JKEDI’s Annual Startup Mela held today. The event was graced by Jenab Omar Abdullah, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, along with Advisor to the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Mr. Nasir Aslam Wani; Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Shri Vikramjit Singh; Director JKEDI, Shri Khalid Jahangir, and other senior dignitaries from administration, academia, and industry.
The recognition highlights the consistent efforts of the Islamic University of Science and Technology in nurturing startups, supporting innovators, and strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir. Through focused incubation programmes, structured mentorship, and active industry engagement, the CIED–IUST Foundation has played a pivotal role in enabling aspiring entrepreneurs to transform ideas into sustainable ventures.
On the occasion, CIED incubatees Mr. Fawzul Kabir and Mr. Mohammad Niaz Kabir, founders of Gr8 Sports Pvt. Ltd., were conferred with the “Top Startup of the Year” award. The award comprised a Certificate of Excellence and ₹50,000 in prize money. Mr. Fawzul Kabir is an alumnus of the Department of Management Studies, IUST, while Mr. Mohammad Niaz Kabir is a graduate of the SIDBI-sponsored Skill to Enterprise Model (STEM) programme at CIED–IUST Foundation.
Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, IUST, congratulated the entire IUST community, including Prof. Parvez A. Mir, CEO, CIED–IUST Foundation, and his team for their commitment and impactful contribution to the startup ecosystem of Jammu and Kashmir. He stated that IUST has played a pioneering role in building a strong institutional and policy framework that promotes innovation and entrepreneurship, motivating youth to actively pursue startup ventures.
Prof. Parvez A. Mir expressed his gratitude to Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce, Shri Vikramjit Singh, for his continued encouragement and support, and to Director JKEDI, Shri Khalid Jahangir, for his guidance and instrumental role in strengthening the incubation and startup framework across the region.
The Startup Mela featured the distribution of seed funding and capital grants, felicitation of idea challenge winners, the J&K Startup and Incubator Awards Ceremony, and interactive networking sessions with policymakers, investors, mentors, and other key ecosystem stakeholders.
