In a significant step toward strengthening Nagaland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, the State Entrepreneurs Conclave 2026 was held on Wednesday at Niathu Resort, Zone Niathu by The Park, Chümoukedima, bringing together entrepreneurs, MSMEs, innovators, industry leaders, and ecosystem enablers for a day of dialogue, knowledge- sharing, and business facilitation.
Organized in strategic partnership with globally respected institutions and industry leaders including CUTS International, The Asia Foundation, in collaboration with YouthNet supported by Google, the conclave served as a timely platform to explore the growing convergence of innovation, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital commerce, and sustainable enterprise development.
The programme opened with a welcome address by Nunesenuo Chase, Director, YouthNet, who acknowledged the courage, creativity, and resilience of entrepreneurs who are not only building businesses but also shaping communities, creating livelihoods, and contributing meaningfully to social and economic transformation.
She highlighted YouthNet’s continued commitment to enabling entrepreneurs through market access, advisory support, capacity building, and institutional linkages.
A key highlight of the conclave was the panel discussion on “Innovation, Cybersecurity & Business Growth Convergence,” featuring leading entrepreneurs and practitioners including Toinali Chophi, Founder of Beauty Barn India; Medo Putsure, Founder of Bambusa Express and JOME Foods; and Tasang Imchen, Founder of Expression Life. The session was chaired by Neikepekho Shosahie, Associate Director, YouthNet. The discussion brought together deep entrepreneurial experience, practical insights, institutional credibility, and real-world perspectives on what it takes to build resilient, scalable, and community-rooted businesses in a fast-changing economy.
The technical sessions further expanded the conversation around digital transformation and business resilience. Shubham Ghosh, Program Officer at CUTS International, spoke on “Empowering India’s MSMEs Through Digital Security & Trust,” emphasizing the importance of digital confidence, online safety, and trust-building for small businesses.
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Sohom Banerjee, a researcher and consulting professional specializing in Artificial Intelligence, addressed the theme “Building Resilient Businesses in the Age of Cybersecurity & AI,” underlining how emerging technologies are reshaping enterprise growth, risk management, and competitiveness.
The conclave also featured dedicated enterprise support components, including Product Showcase & Promotion, Business Support Zones, Market Access & Digital Commerce, Business Compliance & Certification, Business Planning & Growth Acceleration, and Human Resource & Capacity Building. Through these facilitation spaces, entrepreneurs received direct access to support services related to Amazon, Flipkart, Made in Nagaland Centre, WEE, MSME compliances, certifications, Startup India, MeitY, and talent acquisition support for businesses.
Anchored by Florida Jigdong and Akenyu Kent as Masters of Ceremony, the programme carried a strong spirit of collaboration, bringing together institutions, entrepreneurs, and support organizations under one platform. More than a one-day event, the State Entrepreneurs Conclave 2026 reflected a larger movement toward building a more confident, digitally prepared, market-ready, and future-oriented entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nagaland.
The conclave reaffirmed the importance of collective action in enabling entrepreneurs and changemakers to build innovative, scalable, and sustainable ventures that contribute to economic advancement while strengthening community impact across the state.
