The SRF 5.0 Knowledge Exchange Workshop (Nagaland Edition), a two-day event aimed at strengthening the startup ecosystem, was inaugurated on March 10, 2025, at Hotel Vivor, Kohima. The workshop was organized by the Nagaland Department of Industry and Commerce in collaboration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India.
Focus on Startup Growth
The States’ Startup Ranking, an annual initiative by DPIIT, evaluates Indian states and Union Territories on their efforts to promote startups. Nagaland’s Advisor for Industries and Commerce, Hekani Jakhalu, highlighted India’s position as the third-largest startup hub globally, crediting state-level contributions to this success.
She noted that entrepreneurship is still a developing concept in Nagaland, with the state launching initiatives since 2013 to encourage young people to consider startups as a primary career choice. Programs like “Who Will Rajiv Chandrasekhar Choose?”, supported by the Nagaland government, have successfully engaged youth in entrepreneurship.
Need for Improvement in Rankings
Nagaland has remained in the “Aspiring Leadership” category for three consecutive years. Jakhalu expressed optimism that the DPIIT workshop would motivate stakeholders to improve the state’s ranking and foster networking, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among North Eastern states.
She also thanked DPIIT Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia for supporting the initiative in Nagaland. The event featured addresses by DPIIT Director Dr. Sumeet Jarangal, Nagaland’s Industry and Commerce Director P. Tokugha Sema, and Startup Nagaland Team Leader Keneirienuo T. Zatsu, who highlighted Nagaland’s startup journey.
