Founder Stack

WOI India hosted the inaugural India Leaders' Retreat, Kashmir Edition, from September 18 to 20, 2026, at The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa in Gulmarg. The retreat was supported by the Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) and the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, and brought together some of India's leading founders, investors, business leaders and ecosystem builders for conversations on entrepreneurship, institution-building and India's next phase of growth. The invitation-only gathering brought together 40+ founders and investors, including 30 confirmed unicorn and soonicorn builders. The participating companies represented a combined valuation of over $50 billion, based on a verified floor estimate. Designed as a closed-door, off-the-record gathering with no press, the retreat moved beyond conventional conferences and panel discussions to create space for candid conversations, peer learning, new relationships and deeper engagement with India's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Two significant outcomes marked the retreat: a Memorandum of Understanding between WOI India and JKEDI to strengthen Jammu & Kashmir's startup ecosystem, and WOI India's ₹2 crore commitment towards Shurukar, an initiative launched by Shradha Sharma in collaboration with DPIIT. A key outcome of the retreat was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between WOI India and JKEDI, establishing a foundation for continued collaboration to support entrepreneurship and strengthen the startup ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to creating more opportunities for local founders through access to entrepreneurial networks, mentorship, market connections and ecosystem-building initiatives. The retreat also featured a dedicated interaction between national startup leaders and approximately 40 founders from Jammu & Kashmir. The founders presented their ventures, shared their ambitions and engaged directly with experienced entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem leaders. The interaction created an opportunity for J&K founders to showcase their work, receive feedback, explore potential collaborations and build relationships that can extend well beyond the retreat. Vikramjeet Singh, Administrative Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, joined the retreat and engaged with participating leaders on the region's entrepreneurial landscape. Shri Vikramjit Singh, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Industries & Commerce Department, J&K, also joined the retreat and engaged with participating leaders on the region's entrepreneurial and industrial landscape. He said,"Jammu & Kashmir is witnessing a growing industrial and startup ecosystem, with new opportunities emerging across sectors. As the investment and entrepreneurial landscape continues to evolve, I encourage the founders and investors participating in this retreat to be part of this journey, explore the opportunities that Jammu & Kashmir offers, and c