YouthNet Incubation Centre (YIC), which intends to support and nurture innovative start-ups in their pursuit to become scalable and sustainable business enterprise, was launched on 15 th July, 2021 at YouthNet’s office, Dimapur in partnership with the Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Nagaland, under the Nagaland Start-Up Policy 2019.
YIC will offer a practical and engaging program to help entrepreneurs build their businesses successfully. With 17 entrepreneurs chosen to be part of the incubation program for a year, the multi-faceted program is designed for early stage businesses that require support while they validate their business idea so that they can progress to the next stage in their development. YIC will provide a challenging and comprehensive 1 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 & Commerce, NEDFi Manager-Dimapur. Addressing the participants on the occasion, Mr. Tokugha Achumi, Joint Director, Dept. of Industries and Commerce 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, the existing entrepreneurs can become job providers and also the youth strive to take the entrepreneurial journey with the help of support like the YouthNet incubation centre. He urged the entrepreneurs to dream big, start small and register with genuine channels to get access to benefits of the government.
Mr.K. Jianthailung, Manager, NEDFi Dimapur who also graced the occasion highlighted that, the management of finances and documentation of business details as key to access funding. NEDFi is open to entrepreneurs to help and support them with their resources available.
A message was also conveyed by Mr. Ishantor Sobhapandit, Regional Director NER-Indian Chamber of Commerce, he congratulated YouthNet for the initiative and said that an incubation centre plays a vital role in supporting the success of start-ups which are started by first generation entrepreneurs.
The 17 incubatees will be mentored by various Naga professionals and experts namely Ben Imchen, Yanfo Kikon, Abokali Jimomi, Margaret Zinyu, Sinlo Kemp and Hekani Jakhalu. YouthNet Incubation Centre will be mentored by Mr.Eric Azulay (Director of ACIR & Nexus Incubation Centre of the US Govt in N.Delhi)