In a moment of pride for Jammu and Kashmir’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem, two startups from the Union Territory have emerged as winners at the prestigious Startup Mahakumbh 2025, securing a total cash prize of ₹25 lakh under the Startup MahaRathi Challenge. The event, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from April 3 to 5, 2025, witnessed enthusiastic participation from across the country, with over 2,400 startups competing across 10 high-impact sectors.
Genetico Private Limited, a HealthTech and BioTech company based in J&K, bagged the top prize of ₹20 lakh, while GR8 Sports Private Limited, a venture focused on sports innovation, won ₹5 lakh in the Gaming and Sports category. The recognition not only affirms the capabilities of these emerging startups but also highlights the increasing presence of J&K’s innovators on the national stage.
The Startup MahaRathi Challenge is a flagship event of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), designed to identify and support the most promising startups in India. With a funding pool of ₹70 crore, the platform provides not just financial support but also nationwide visibility, networking opportunities with top investors, mentorship, and incubation support. It serves as a springboard for startups to scale and contribute to India’s rapidly growing innovation economy.
Five startups from Jammu and Kashmir participated in this year’s Mahakumbh: GR8 Sports Private Limited, CLMRAT Sports, AL-Hamdaan Crafts, Studio Agama, and BISA Innovation Private Limited. Their participation was made possible by the dedicated efforts of the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), which facilitated their presence under the guidance of Irtif Mehraj Lone, In-charge of the Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Business Modeling (CIIBM), and Zahid Ali Dar, Project Manager at JKEDI.
The success of Genetico and GR8 Sports reflects the transformative impact of the J&K Startup Policy 2024, introduced by the Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Jammu and Kashmir. The policy aims to foster a supportive startup ecosystem through financial incentives, mentorship programs, and infrastructure development. It envisions creating an environment where young entrepreneurs from J&K can compete at a national and global level.
Arjun Gupta, Co-founder of Genetico Private Limited, expressed immense pride on receiving national recognition. “It’s truly encouraging to see our hard work validated by the government on such a big platform. Genetico has always focused on bridging critical gaps in the healthcare and biotech sectors, and this award strengthens our resolve to innovate further. I dedicate this recognition to our entire team, our early supporters, and everyone who believed in our vision,” he said.
GR8 Sports Private Limited, which promotes grassroots sports innovation and athlete development, has also been applauded for its unique business model and commitment to creating an inclusive sporting ecosystem. Their success reinforces the fact that niche sectors in J&K have massive potential when provided the right support.
The representation of J&K startups at a national forum like Startup Mahakumbh not only inspires upcoming entrepreneurs from the region but also positions the Union Territory as an emerging hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. The success stories from this event will likely encourage more youth from J&K to explore the world of startups, backed by the resources and ecosystem support now actively provided by JKEDI and the government.
With this momentum, Jammu and Kashmir is gradually cementing its place on India’s startup map. From solving local challenges through tech to building solutions for global markets, the region’s entrepreneurs are proving that with the right blend of vision, support, and grit, anything is possible. The victories at Startup Mahakumbh 2025 are just the beginning of what promises to be a bright future for startups in J&K.
