YouthNet launches Nagaland’s first incubation centre

Dimapur, July 15 (EMN): With an objective to support and nurture innovative start-ups in their pursuit to become scalable and sustainable business enterprise, YouthNet has launched the Nagaland’s first incubation centre called YouthNet Incubation Centre (YIC) at its office in Dimapur on Thursday.

An update from YouthNet informed that YIC was launched in partnership with the department of Industries and Commerce, government of Nagaland, under the Nagaland Start-Up Policy 2019. It added that YIC would offer practical and engaging programmes to help entrepreneurs successfully build their businesses.

With 17 entrepreneurs chosen to be part of the incubation programme for a year, it informed that the multi-faceted programme was designed for early stage businesses that require support while they validate their business idea so that they could progress to the next stage in their development. It also stated that YIC would provide a challenging and comprehensive one year curriculum of business building sessions designed to help entrepreneurs plan and start developing several aspect of their business, from the core idea to the product and revenue model.

The launch occasion was graced by officials from the department of Industries and Commerce and manager of NEDFi, Dimapur.

Addressing the participants, the joint director of Industries and Commerce Tokugha Achumi said that the state’s economy needs entrepreneurs in order to thrive. With the pandemic affecting the growth of the economy adversely and with many young people returning home, he stated that existing entrepreneurs could become job providers. He also encouraged the youth to undertake entrepreneurial journey with the help of YouthNet incubation centre.

He further urged the entrepreneurs to “dream big, start small and register with genuine channels to get access to benefits of the government.”

K Jianthailung, NEDFi manager, highlighted the management of finances and documentation of business details as the key to access funding. “NEDFi is open to entrepreneurs to help and support them with their resources available,” he added.

A message was also conveyed by Ishantor Sobhapandit, regional director of NER-Indian Chamber of Commerce, wherein he congratulated YouthNet for the initiative. He stated that an incubation centre plays a vital role in supporting the success of start-ups, which are started by first generation entrepreneurs.

It informed that the 17 incubatees would be mentored by various Naga professionals and experts namely Ben Imchen, Yanfo Kikon, Abokali Jimomi, Margaret Zinyu, Sinlo Kemp and Hekani Jakhalu.

The YIC would be mentored by Eric Azulay, director of ACIR and Nexus Incubation Centre of the US government in New Delhi.