May 11, 2026: Entrepreneur, ecosystem builder, and Founder of Startup Kashmir, Shahid Ansari delivered a compelling talk at the successful TEDxOxford Presentation School Youth event held at Oxford Presentation School, Anantnag, where he spoke on the theme “Creating Ecosystem from Scratch, Against the Odds.” The event brought together young minds, educators, innovators, and thought leaders from across Jammu & Kashmir for an inspiring exchange of ideas.
In his talk, Ansari reflected on his journey from Kashmir to working with some of the world’s leading multinational companies, sharing how exposure to global systems of innovation shaped his vision of building something transformative back home.
Speaking to a packed auditorium, Ansari highlighted the challenges of creating opportunities in a region long defined by uncertainty and limited access to entrepreneurial infrastructure. He emphasized that constraints should never become excuses.
“History is never changed by people who wait for perfect conditions. It is changed by people who build anyway.”
Ansari shared how this belief led to the creation of Startup Kashmir — an initiative that began as an idea and has since evolved into one of the region’s most significant platforms for nurturing entrepreneurship, innovation, and youth-led change.
He detailed how Startup Kashmir has worked to create an ecosystem from the ground up by connecting aspiring entrepreneurs with mentorship, resources, networks, and opportunities that were once inaccessible to many in the region. From mentoring early-stage founders to facilitating partnerships, building startup awareness, and fostering a culture of problem-solving, the organization has played a key role in shifting the entrepreneurial mindset in Kashmir.
Addressing students and young innovators, Ansari urged them to stop waiting for ideal circumstances and instead begin building with whatever resources they have.
He stressed that ecosystems are not built by institutions alone, but by communities of individuals willing to act consistently despite setbacks.
His talk resonated strongly with the audience, earning appreciation for its practical insights and powerful message of resilience, innovation, and local impact.
The successful hosting of TEDx Oxford Presentation School Youth marked another milestone for youth-driven intellectual engagement in Kashmir, with Shahid Ansari’s address standing out as a call to action for the next generation of changemakers to imagine, create, and build the future they wish to see.
