Nagaland: Kohima College wins Startup Innovation Challenge 2025

Educentre School of Business, under its Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC) programme, organized the Startup Innovation Challenge Competition 2025 on the theme “Innovate, Build and Pitch”, aimed at inspiring students to create prototypes and explore entrepreneurial potential.
Speaking at the event, director of Industries & Commerce, P. Tokugha Sema, stressed the importance of building a strong vision among aspiring entrepreneurs. He reminded youth that entrepreneurship was not a one-time event but a continuous journey requiring commitment, passion and perseverance. He urged them to focus on growth, stating that success comes from striving to improve every day.
Sema further highlighted that one of the department’s priorities was to promote innovation and establish Innovation Centres across all districts, ensuring young people had access to opportunities, mentorship and platforms to transform their ideas.
Six colleges qualified for the final round—Kohima College, St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous) Jakhama, C-Edge College, Eastern Christian College, Peren Government College and Sao Chang College. The shortlisted teams were given 10 days to test their products in the market before pitching their business ideas to the jury.
After the final evaluation, Sole Buddy (Aston) from Kohima College emerged as the winner, while Skill Lancing from St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous) Jakhama secured the 1st runner-up position and Solution Centre from C-Edge College finished as 2nd runner-up. The winning team received a cash prize of Rs. 25,000 along with a trophy and certificates presented by the Department of Industries & Commerce and Start-up Nagaland.
Educentre acknowledged the creativity, hard work and dedication of all participating students in transforming ideas into viable business opportunities.
It also extended gratitude to the Department of Industries & Commerce (DIC), Start-up Nagaland and IDAN for their continuous support of the EDC programmes, which it said were vital in nurturing and empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs in the state.