As Jammu and Kashmir prepares its Budget for 2026–27, a new data-driven policy paper has brought the lived realities of Kashmir’s startup founders into sharp focus. Titled “Grievance to Growth”, the report submitted by Kashmir Angel Network (KAN) argues that the region’s startup ecosystem has matured beyond ideation and now requires precise, execution-focused interventions to unlock its next phase of growth. The recommendations are formally placed before the Government of Jammu and Kashmir for consideration in the upcoming budget.

Startups beyond the idea stage

Contrary to the popular perception that Kashmir’s startups are largely experimental or idea-driven, the report presents evidence that most ventures are already operational and revenue-generating. Based on a structured survey of 19 active founders across the Valley, the study finds that a majority of startups have reached early or mid-commercialisation stages. These are businesses that have achieved product-market fit and are selling to real customers, but are struggling to scale due to systemic bottlenecks.

Sectorally, the ecosystem shows notable diversity. Digital services and education together account for nearly half of the surveyed ventures, while tourism, agriculture, and emerging technologies such as drones and 3D printing also feature........

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