Srinagar: CHINAR International successfully concluded its annual three-day Small Business Support event today at Hotel Grand Comforts in Hyderpora, selecting 25 candidates for Cohort 6 of its Small Business Support Program.
The program initially received over 450 applications from six districts of Kashmir, including Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian, Bandipora, Baramulla, and Kupwara. After a rigorous selection process, around 50 candidates were shortlisted to present their business ideas to an expert panel, and ultimately 25 were chosen to receive support. The event was organized in collaboration with our knowledge partners, TISS Incube Foundation, Mumbai.
The shortlisted participants underwent four months of intensive training to refine their business skills and learn how to effectively present their business models. This training was particularly valuable, as many participants came from underprivileged backgrounds with limited exposure and presentation experience.
On October 8 and 9, the first two days of the event, the aspiring entrepreneurs pitched their ideas to a distinguished panel comprising Prof. Satyajit Majumdar (Dean, Incubation Cell, TISS), Sujay Dixit (CEO, Incubation Cell, TISS), Mohd Rafiq (Development Executive, SIDBI), Waseem Ahad (Manager, Centre for Business Development Services, JKEDI), Dr. Shazia Manzoor (Head, Department of Social Work, University of Kashmir), Javeed Hajam (Assistant Director, Programs and Operations, CHINAR International), and Bashir Ahmad (Lead, Youth Development, CHINAR International).
The event also featured inspiring talks by successful alumni from previous cohorts, who shared their experiences of building and scaling their ventures with CHINAR’s guidance.
On the third day, 25 candidates were officially selected during a felicitation ceremony attended by dignitaries including Dr. Mushtaq Margoob (Leading Psychiatrist, CHINAR Board Member) and Ismet Shahmiri (CHINAR Patron).
The selected entrepreneurs will receive financial assistance of up to Rs 2 lakh, along with expert guidance in technical skills, marketing, accounting, and business management. Following the selection, Professor Satyajit Majumdar conducted a training and capacity-building session for the participants, which was followed by a felicitation and cake-cutting ceremony.
To date, CHINAR International has supported 97 entrepreneurs through this initiative, contributing significantly to the economic growth of the region. The organization remains committed to fostering entrepreneurship among Kashmiri youth and continues to play a vital role in driving socio-economic transformation across the valley.
