First Time: Kashmir Angel Network Clinches Investment Deals for Three Startup’s

SRINAGAR: In a landmark development Kashmir Angel Network (KAN) secured investment commitments for three startups who pitched their business ideas to a galaxy of investors today at a local hotel at Srinagar. The first of its kind investor-startup summit organised by KAN also marked the beginning of new era of Alternate Investment Funding available for homegrown business.

Commenting on the the development, Shabir A Handoo, CEO KAN said today was a historical moment for the Startup ecosystem in Kashmir and with this beginning many a glass ceilings were breached.

The three startups who received undisclosed amount of funding from a number of local Angel Investors are from diverse sectors of the economy. One of the startups that received instant investment commitments, Cred Agro, is an agritech company that uses integrated agriculture systems for utilisation of fallow lands.

Another startup, Lieper Books, that generated a lot interest among the Angel investor community present in the event is a social media networking platform for book lovers. Another Startup, Kashmir Origin is an e-commerce platform with a B2B and B2C business model. The startup founders were upbeat about their pitches being well-received by the investors.

KAN, a local network which hosted the maiden event is an initiative of a few professionals, working towards the creation of an enabling environment for Startups in Kashmir. The year old company aims to build a Network of Angel Investors who are willing to invest in early-stage businesses besides providing them mentorship and hand-holding support.
CEO KAN in his opening remarks said that KAN has a vision to act as a multiplier in the efforts of the government in creating a thriving private sector in the region by way of mentoring, financing and incubating starups’. he said that such summits shall be regularly organised by KAN so that more and more startups get an opportunity to raise funds in their home turf.

Irtif Loan conducted the Pitch Session of the event and said that KAN is evolving as a platform where startups and investors meet, exchange ideas and create businesses. Commenting on today’s event said that the event is a first in the series of events planned by KAN to leverage resources, networks and Government-led initiatives to be a part of the growth story scripted by startups across.

In the pitch session the four startups from Kashmir region that presented their business ideas to the investors were Cred Agro, Lieper Books, and Kashmir Origin.
Cred Agro is an agro-tech company using integrated agriculture systems for utilisation of fallow lands. Lieper Books is a social media networking platform for book lovers. Kashmir Origin is an e-commerce platform with a B2B and B2C business model.
The pitches were well-received by the investors. The presentations generated a lot of interest and discussions around the strategies pitched by the startups.
The higlight of the event was that all the three start ups pitched for investment got the investment committments right during the event.