Nine startups from Nagaland have secured a total of ₹1 crore in seed funding under the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), facilitated through the YouthNet Incubation Centre (YIC), marking a significant boost to the State’s emerging startup ecosystem.
Speaking at the funding ceremony, Advisor for Industries & Commerce Hekani Jakhalu urged the entrepreneurs to approach startup building with patience, perseverance and a willingness to learn from challenges.
She acknowledged the difficulties involved in running a business while noting the sense of achievement and fulfilment that comes from turning an idea into a viable enterprise. Linking entrepreneurship with the vision of Viksit Bharat, Jakhalu highlighted the role of startups and innovation in India’s economic development and encouraged the founders to recognise their contribution to the larger national effort.
Jakhalu also interacted individually with the funded startups, discussing their businesses, innovations and the opportunities and challenges they face. The interactions provided an opportunity for practical insights, encouragement and exchange of ideas.
The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme provides early-stage startups with financial support to convert promising ventures into viable businesses. The scheme supports proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialisation.
The startups selected under Series 4 of the YouthNet Incubation Centre SISFS include Toshifez Innovations Private Limited, Syncnl Networks Private Limited, Zodmo Technologies Private Limited, Greenovex Private Limited, October Pumpkin-Shi Private Limited, A&D Renewables Energy Private Limited, Tuensang Hills Agro Private Limited, Green Buds Private Limited and Khamlou India Private Limited.
The startups represent a range of emerging sectors, including green hydrogen, agriculture and biotechnology, renewable energy, artificial intelligence and other technology-based ventures.
Nuneseno Chase, Director and Chief Functionary of YouthNet, described the achievement as a reflection of the courage and commitment of young entrepreneurs.
“Every startup here carries the hopes of a new Nagaland, one that believes in its potential, invests in homegrown talent, builds locally with pride, and dreams globally with confidence,” she said, adding that the entrepreneurs were not merely creating companies but laying the foundation for a self-reliant and thriving economy.
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Neikepekho Shosahie, Associate Director at YouthNet, explained that the SISFS model combines financial support with measurable progress. Funds are released in tranches, with subsequent disbursements linked to the startups meeting agreed milestones. The framework also provides for termination of support in cases of non-performance or non-compliance.
Besides grants, the scheme provides early-stage funding through debt or convertible instruments, helping startups manage immediate financial pressures. Its milestone-based approach links funding to demonstrated progress while maintaining accountability.
Shosahie said the objective was to help startups develop the capacity and credibility required to attract angel investors and venture capitalists or secure loans from banks and other financial institutions.
Yanpvuo Kikon of Kikonic & Kley Enterprise, a mentor at YouthNet Incubation Centre, advised the entrepreneurs to remain focused, realistic and clear about what they were building.
He stressed the importance of testing ideas quickly, learning from the market and refining business models based on evidence. If an approach fails to produce results within a reasonable timeframe, he said, founders should be prepared to pivot and concentrate their efforts on what is working.
Kikon also cautioned entrepreneurs against becoming overly emotionally attached to their ideas, urging them instead to allow market realities to guide business decisions.
The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, led by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Startup India initiative, seeks to address the critical funding gap faced by startups during their early stages of growth by channelling support through approved incubators.
