Many young Kashmiri entrepreneurs are creating smart, original products that can easily stand on global shelves. They make herbal blends, craft tools, design software, and develop services rooted in local skills.

But most of their work stays hidden, limited to small workshops or social media pages.

The main issue is the absence of platforms. A founder may spend years perfecting a product and still have no clear path to reach customers outside the valley. Without strong marketing support, distribution networks, or collaborations, many promising ideas never grow beyond a familiar circle of buyers.

At the same time, global brands are taking over local markets. Kashmiri bazaars are now full of products promoted across India. Shopkeepers prefer them because these brands are well-known and sell quickly.

Even online, searches for items traditionally made in Kashmir often show national and international companies first, instead of the people who create these products here.

This creates an uneven playing field. A local entrepreneur may offer something of equal or better quality than a big brand, but without visibility, his work goes unnoticed.

The idea of“vocal for local,” once meant to support homegrown businesses, is slowly losing ground.

This gap weakens the dream of a strong startup ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir. If we want innovation to thrive, we need platforms that feature local makers, policies that make it easier for young founders to grow, and partnerships that help them reach wider markets.

The national push to support local products applies here too. Kashmir has hundreds of young builders ready to innovate and compete. They simply ask for guidance, fair chances, and a place to showcase their work to the world.

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