Mokokchung has zero registered startups. Why are young entrepreneurs missing?

 

On paper, Nagaland is a leader in startups. In Mokokchung, however, the district has yet to produce a single registered startup, leaving a glaring gap in the state’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.

On January 16, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry released the 5th edition of the States’ Startup Ranking Framework (SRF 5.0), and Nagaland was recognized as a “Leader” in Category B, which includes states with populations under one crore. The recognition highlighted the state’s institutional support and linkages as best practices.

RECAP | Nagaland recognized as ‘Leader’ in startup ecosystem in SRF 5.0 rankings

The Startup India portal shows that across Nagaland, 109 startups are recorded, mostly in Kohima, Dimapur, and Chumoukedima. Smaller numbers exist in Phek, Tuensang, Longleng, Peren, Wokha, and Meluri, but Mokokchung is absent from the map entirely.

B Asangla, General Manager of DIC Mokokchung, said the gap stems partly from a misunderstanding of what constitutes a startup. “A startup is a little different from what our entrepreneurs are doing now. It should be something new and innovative. For example, Uber turned a normal taxi into a tech-enabled service. That is the kind of innovation Mokokchung currently lacks,” she explained.

The district has tried to create awareness.

Last year, DIC Mokokchung held a sensitization program for class 12 students at Mayangnokcha Government Higher Secondary School. “We targeted young people because they are the future. Last year in Senayangba Higher Secondary School, Ungma, we set up an Entrepreneurship Development Cell to spread information further. We did this only in government schools,” Asangla said, adding, “Students are taught the basics of business. Its main aim is to nurture and promote entrepreneurship or innovation amongst students at the learning stage”.

“A similar cell was set up earlier in Changtongya, but it could not succeed,” Asangla added.

Despite these initiatives, public engagement remains low. “We often ask ourselves: is our mobilization wrong, or is the public not ready? After discussion, we found that mindset plays a huge role. People here attend sensitization and awareness programs only if travel allowances are provided. In Kohima or Dimapur, young people call to secure seats even after all seats are filled,” she said, adding, “They are even okay to sit by bringing their own seat arrangement. That is the kind of zeal they have for learning”.

Curriculum and financial literacy gaps also contribute. “Our schools do not teach entrepreneurship, and most people focus on subsidies rather than exploring business opportunities. Until the public understands schemes, laws, and financial basics, nothing will change,” she said.

The absence of startups worries her. “It is concerning. What is wrong with Mokokchung? Young people in Kohima and Dimapur understand entrepreneurship. They want to make a life on their own. Here, that understanding is missing. We need intensive awareness programs, like the campaigns we ran for HIV and COVID-19,” Asangla said.