For decades, Kashmir has been seen through the lens of conflict and instability. But a new wave of young entrepreneurs is slowly changing that story, turning the Valley into a budding startup hub.

In Srinagar, Curve Electric has introduced shared e-bikes to ease traffic and promote eco-friendly transport. Logistics venture FastBeetle is empowering artisans and small businesses by delivering to over 18,000 pin codes across India. Agritech innovators like Zarin are connecting fish farmers to national markets, while Efruitmandi is helping apple growers fight climate challenges with storage and predictive tools. Even cricket has found its startup story, Gr8Sports crafts Kashmir willow bats now used by international players.

Challenges remain: political unrest, internet shutdowns, shortage of skilled talent, and limited investors. Yet, more than 1,150 startups have already taken root, supported by government policies and incubation centres.

Kashmir, once seen only as a conflict zone, is now producing innovation and resilience. The big question is: will these startups be able to sustain growth and rewrite the Valley’s future?