Government has no free money, only performers will be rewarded: Hekani

Nagaland startups secure Rs 1 Cr funding under SISFS

KOHIMA, JUNE 17 (MExN): In a significant development for the startup ecosystem in Nagaland, nine homegrown startups have collectively secured seed funding of Rs 1 crore under the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS). The funding was facilitated through the YouthNet Incubation Centre (YIC), a recognised incubator under the scheme.

Speaking at the funding ceremony, Advisor to the Department of Industries & Commerce, Hekani Jakhalu, underscored the government’s commitment to backing only high-performing ventures. “The government has no free money. Only performers will be rewarded and supported,” she stated, calling on startups to become trailblazers and role models by creating credible success stories.

The diversity among the funded startups stands out, with founders hailing from districts such as Shamator and Noklak, and also including entrepreneurs with disabilities. The SISFS scheme provides crucial financial assistance for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry, and commercialization.

The startups selected under this round include: Naga Feather Private Limited, Ura Agritech Private Limited, Shihto Integrated Farm Private Limited, Global Connect Music and Films Private Limited, Tsongyam Innovations Private Limited, Craftycrochet Private Limited, Headhunter Leather Crafting Private Limited, Peter and Cecilia Essence Private Limited and Nexuscipherguard India (OPC) Private Limited.

Nuneseno Chase, Director of YouthNet, lauded the determination of the startup founders. “Every startup here carries the hopes of a new Nagaland — one that believes in its potential, builds locally with pride, and dreams globally with confidence,” she said.

Keneirienuo K. Theunuo, Team Leader of Startup Nagaland and Deputy Director at the Directorate of Industries & Commerce, announced that a revised Startup Nagaland Policy would soon be launched to further boost entrepreneurial growth. “Nagaland has witnessed a 200% increase in startup registrations — the highest in the country. The momentum is real,” she noted.

Neikepekho Shosahie, Associate Director at YouthNet, highlighted the performance-linked funding model of the SISFS. Funds are released in milestone-based tranches, with further disbursement contingent on the achievement of agreed targets. Provisions for termination exist in cases of non-performance or ethical violations. Startups funded through debt or convertible instruments also benefit from early-stage capital with reduced financial burden.

Mentors from the YouthNet Incubation Centre, including Yanpvuo Kikon (Kikonic & Kley Enterprise), Dr Ditalak Mpanme (Nagaland University), and Lanu Akum Imchen (Cloud Mountain), urged entrepreneurs to focus on trust-building, global quality standards, and long-term vision. “Nagaland’s startups are no longer just local — they are world-ready,” they said in a joint message.

The SISFS is a flagship initiative under Startup India, led by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The scheme aims to bridge the funding gap for early-stage startups through government-approved incubators, with a strong emphasis on transparency and milestone-driven disbursements.