Srinagar- Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said a new era has begun for startups and small-scale industries in Jammu and Kashmir, with the government determined to bridge the funding gap and boost entrepreneurial growth through stronger public–private partnerships.

He was speaking at the first-ever“Self-Reliant India (SRI) Fund Outreach” event held in Srinagar, organised by the Union Ministry of MSME, NSIC Venture Capital Fund Limited (NVCFL), J&K Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) and the Department of Industries & Commerce, J&K.

“We must leverage existing strengths, better infrastructure, and build strong linkages between J&K's industrial ecosystem and national financial institutions to bridge the funding gap for MSMEs and startups,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

He said the SRI Fund Outreach would build awareness among entrepreneurs about venture capital opportunities and promote equity-based financing for emerging businesses.

The SRI Fund, launched under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, is a ₹50,000 crore Fund of Funds Scheme designed to support the growth of MSMEs and startups through a Mother Fund–Daughter Fund structure. It aims to enhance access to equity capital for enterprises across India, including emerging regions like Jammu and Kashmir.

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