A painting by Imli Sunep, the winner of PwD Startup Competition, fetched Rs 1,05,000 in an online auction that closed at 4:30 pm on Saturday. Sunep’s painting is called “Rays of Hope”. Like all his other artworks, the artist painted it using his mouth.
Of the total amount, 90 percent will go to the painter while 10 percent will be given to PwDs. The auction on social media was initiated by Yanpfuo Kikon, one of the mentors of YouthNet Incubation Centre.
Sunep, founder of Sunep Art, was declared the winner of the PwD Startup Competition, a program under Startup Nagaland Policy 2019, that was held on 16 June 2023 at the dedicated YouthNet Incubation Centre, PwD Coworking Space at YouthNet Office, Dimapur.
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The primary objective of the event was to encourage and empower PwD entrepreneurs, fostering an inclusive ecosystem that celebrates their talents and provides opportunities for growth. The event witnessed seven participants who pitched for their businesses and all the participants will be receiving seed money.
Imli Sunep will receive a sum of Rs 60,000 while the runner-up Grace, Marylin and Vilika, founders of GMV Group, will receive a sum of Rs 40,000. The five winners of the Consolation Prize of Rs 20,000 each will be received by Inaholi Zhimomi of CraftyCrochet; Rokovituo Luho of Roko’s Hair Cutting Corner, V Kera Fatima of Adile’s Care Product; Ngaugongbe of Ngaugongbe Piggery and Kamo Movi of Movi Crafts.
The PwD Startup Program has been instrumental in nurturing the entrepreneurial aspirations of people with disabilities, providing them with a supportive platform to showcase their innovative business ideas.
YouthNet launched the North East India first Startup Incubation Program for Persons with Disabilities in collaboration with Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, and Startup Nagaland, Department of Industries and Commerce on 12 December 2022 at YouthNet Dimapur Office as part of YouthNet Incubation Centre program with a co-working space dedicated for the entrepreneurs of PwD. YouthNet Incubation Centre provides access to infrastructure, networking, financing and related business services for the entrepreneurs.
The Judging Panels for the PwD Startup Competition were T Jamir, General Manager, Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation Ltd.; Vivito, Managing Director, Nagaland Coffee; Nune Chase, Director, YouthNet; Yanpvuo Kikon, Founder Kikonic Tech and Kley Enterprise; Ashe H Kiba, Program Coordinator, Office of the SCPD; Nukuzo Phesao, Proprietor Warehouse103, Nature Fuel India, Pristine Foods Nagaland. who offered their time and expertise as judging panel member by playing a vital role in selecting and recognizing the most promising entrepreneur that have the potential to make a lasting impact in the industry.
