Nagaland’s startup ecosystem hits milestone

DIMAPUR — Nagaland’s startup ecosystem reached a milestone with the conclusion of a three-day programme connecting entrepreneurs, mentors, and High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs), organised by Startup Nagaland, Department of Industries & Commerce.

According to a DIPR report, the event concluded on August 11 at Hotel Vivor, Kohima, with the state’s first-ever HNIs awareness session.

The programme commenced August 7 with the ‘Startup Mentorship & Bootcamp 2025’ at the Badze Leshüki Campus, Kohima, enriched by the insights of distinguished speakers, including Pangerkumzuk Longkumer (founder of Nexus Cipher Guard), Worrin Muivah (founder, Step Academy), Dr. Noyingbeni T Erui (founder, Erui Designs), Dr. Theyiesinuo Keditsu (academician and author), Yashika Khatri (Startup India), Nikita Engheepi (lawyer and founder, Namaste Hallyu & Pinkbox Events), Rinzing C Bhutia (founder and Director, Agapi Sikkim & Trateng Greens Pvt. Ltd.), Syed Mufti Alam (Access Development Services, IFAD), and Lichan Humtsoe (founder of Ete Coffee).

These sessions offered practical strategies, sectoral insights, and growth roadmaps for early and growth-stage entrepreneurs. Guidance and facilitation were provided by P Tokugha Sema (CEO, Startup Nagaland and Director of Industries & Commerce department), Keneirienuo T Zatsu (team leader of Startup Nagaland and Deputy Director of Industries & Commerce), Ikheshe Kahoto (Assistant Director, Industries & Commerce Department), and Yithule Krichena (consultant at Ernst & Young).

The HNIs awareness session on the concluding day, attended by business leaders, political figures, legacy families, and professionals, was the first gathering of its kind in Nagaland, designed to bridge the gap between local wealth and local ideas. It marked the starting point for private sector engagement with startups and was received with an overwhelmingly positive response.

Also read: State Handloom Expo to in Dimapur from September 10

Delivering the keynote address, the director of Industries & Commerce acknowledged the participants and stakeholders for their diverse contributions to Nagaland’s economy and society.

He stressed that the session was not about immediate investments, but about opening a window to show what’s possible when local wealth meets local ideas. Sema elaborated on Nagaland’s hidden economic gap, where startups often depend on personal savings or outside funding leading to a loss of jobs, profits, and decision-making power from the state.

He also emphasised that local investors bring cultural understanding, community trust, and unique strategic advantages, and can play a decisive role not only through funding but by mentoring, sharing networks, and opening doors to markets.

“Capital is powerful, but so are connections, mentorship, and guidance. Many startups need doors opened more than they need immediate cash,” he said, urging HNIs to see themselves as catalysts for change.

The director concluded by expressing his vision for the next decade, where Nagaland's leading companies would be home-grown, locally funded, and globally competitive. Sema emphasised that the future of Nagaland's economy would be built by those who believed in it first, and he believed that those individuals were present in the room.

The session also included presentations from emerging startups, showcasing innovation and entrepreneurial potential, and closed with a networking session fostering collaboration between investors and founders.