Kohima, May 24 (MExN): Pichano Jami, founder of Picha designs, a home based design bag company has been declared winner of Nagaland StartUp 2017 competition. Another entrepreneur, Ahulo Kemp was awarded the most promising startup business. A press release informed that top startup businesses across Nagaland were invited to the YouthNet’s Centre of Excellence for Entrepreneurship to make business pitches. 10 finalists were shortlisted and they competed to be awarded the top startup business idea for 2017. Ideas such as delivery services, sustainable furniture, cultural tourism and more were shared, it said. The young entrepreneurs were trained on basic business skills such as finance, marketing, branding and how to use a business canvas that will guide them in their entrepreneurial journey at the boot camp. The winner, Pichano, acknowledged her father has been a constant support and the workshop has helped her upgrade her business skills. She also opined that the government should encourage young startups because unemployment is increasing each day and if the government does not take care of its young people, unemployed youth may use their youthful energy in negative ways. She also encouraged the young audience to start today because in the future even getting a private job or starting a business will be harder. Pichano is also a school teacher in a private school. “I go to school and in the evening I work at my unit. I work 12-14 hours a day. This award will motivate me to work harder,” she stated. Heiko Kent from Nagaland Startups shared at the programme, “We have many job seekers, we need to encourage entrepreneurs that will create jobs for the youths and build our economy.” Yanpvuo Kikon of Naga Blog also had a session and shared how entrepreneurs can use social media to reach their audiences. Medo Putsure, Founder- Bambusa was the judge of the competition. The boot camp was conducted by YouthNet’s IMPACT 5000 by18 team and supported by Quest alliance, Bangalore. It was organized in collaboration with Nagaland Startups, which is led by Atohoto Kent, Akato Rochill, and Heiko Kent.
