Championing Uttarakhand’s Entrepreneurial Future at the National Conference on Skilling and Entrepreneurship

At the prestigious National Conference on “Skilling and Entrepreneurship for the Future: 25 Years of Promise”, organized by the Department of Skill Development & Employment, Government of Uttarakhand, in collaboration with SETU Aayog Uttarakhand, Unhu’s Founder Kshitij Doval stood out as one of the most inspiring speakers of the day.

A Voice for Uttarakhand’s Startup Ecosystem

In a short span of 20 months, Kshitij Doval has built what many consider a revolution in Dehradun’s entrepreneurial landscape. From uniting over 1,000 entrepreneurs under one community to founding Unhu Innovation Center—a physical accelerator that provides real-world mentoring, execution support, and exposure—Doval has created a model that bridges vision with action.

His initiatives include the Unhu Startup Emporium, a first-of-its-kind physical retail hub that showcases 50+ early-stage brands; The Inner Circle, an active community of 75 entrepreneurs collaborating for growth; and Unhu Founders Journal, a digital media platform sharing founder stories and insights from Uttarakhand’s emerging business community.

Recognizing the Women Building Dehradun’s Future

Accompanied by his parents, Mrinal Doval and Anuradha Doval, Kshitij was joined by some of the remarkable founders nurtured through his accelerator—Shraddha Negi (Founder, Juicyverse), Aarti Agarwal (Founder, Aarti Creations), and Nisha Rai (Founder, Aama Fashion).

Taking the stage, he proudly named them as shining examples of how the women of Dehradun are redefining entrepreneurship, not just in the city but across Uttarakhand and India. “These women represent the new face of our state—bold, creative, and driven to build brands that stand shoulder-to-shoulder with global names,” he shared during his address.

A Movement Rooted in Purpose

Beyond the conference, Kshitij’s journey embodies the spirit of collective progress. Through events, workshops, and founder-focused programs, he has not only built an ecosystem but also given Uttarakhand’s entrepreneurs a global platform. His recent representation of the state at the National Montenegro Day celebrations in New Delhi, attended by 300+ delegates and ambassadors from 80+ nations, was yet another milestone that placed Dehradun’s name on the international stage.

From Dehradun to the World

An author, ecosystem builder, and visionary, Kshitij Doval has also penned the highly practical book “Before You Hire an Agency”, guiding founders to understand marketing and accountability before outsourcing their growth. His work has received the blessings of India’s National Security Advisor, Shri Ajit Doval, who acknowledged his mission of empowering startups from smaller states.

The Road Ahead

Speaking at the conference, Kshitij emphasized the critical link between skilling, entrepreneurship, and local economic empowerment. He stated, “The next generation of India’s entrepreneurs will emerge from smaller cities—places like Dehradun, where ambition meets authenticity. Our goal is to make Uttarakhand the most startup-friendly region on Earth.”

With mentorship-driven growth, community collaborations, and a strong focus on women-led entrepreneurship, Kshitij Doval and Unhu are redefining what’s possible for young innovators across the hills.

As the Unhu Founders Journal editorial team aptly notes—Dehradun is no longer a quiet valley; it’s the startup capital in the making—and Kshitij Doval is leading the way.

By the Editorial Team,

Unhu Founders Journal