Punjab emerging as startup hub, seed grant of Rs 1.07 crore distributed to 31 startups: CM Mann

Chandigarh: At present, Punjab is creating a new story of development due to innovative ideas, unique thinking and out-of-the-box initiatives taken by the enterprising youth, due to which the state is emerging as the most preferred startup destination across the country where the youth are converting their ideas into business and employment opportunities.

Supporting this thinking, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today distributed seed grant of Rs 1.07 crore to 31 startups and their founders. On this occasion, he said that the next generation of successful entrepreneurs should not only come from Punjab but also establish their companies in Punjab, thereby creating jobs and earning opportunities within the state.

Describing startups as the main pillar of Punjab’s future economic development, he said that the Punjab government is fully committed to ensure that no promising enterprise is left behind due to lack of financial support.

The Chief Minister said that under ‘Punjab Startup and Industrial Policy-2026’, the seed grant has been increased from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, in which 7 startups are getting a grant of Rs 5 lakh each and 24 startups are getting a grant of Rs 3 lakh each. He expressed hope that these ventures will create thousands of employment opportunities and help in reducing the trend among the youth to go abroad in search of jobs.

What did Bhagwant Singh Mann say?

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that initiatives like free electricity, daytime power supply to farmers and many other reforms show how new ideas can directly benefit the people. He said that with the immense support being received in entrepreneurship and innovation, Punjab is continuously moving forward on the path of becoming the startup hub of India.

Addressing the gathering during the ceremony of distributing seed grants to startups, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Today is a historic day for the industry of Punjab, especially for our young entrepreneurs who are starting their business journey with new ideas. 31 startups are being given a seed grant of Rs 1.07 crore. 7 startups are getting a grant of Rs 5 lakh each, while 24 startups are getting a grant of Rs 3 lakh each.” These young entrepreneurs are making their dreams come true through their ideas and they deserve this support.”

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) itself was born out of an idea when the country was dominated by dynastic politics and the common man was ignored. In many aspects, ‘AAP’ was also a startup which cleaned the political system with its symbol of the broom. In the 2022 assembly elections, the people of Punjab voted out 7 former chief ministers and their families and gave a chance to an honest government. That decision has changed Punjab and is making it the first country in the country. Has made it a leading state.”

Highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit of Punjabis, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjabis are known across the world for their hard work, passion and enterprise. Inspired by the same spirit, our youth are starting new ventures and creating new opportunities. They are not just running businesses, they are reshaping the future of Punjab.”

Citing examples of successful entrepreneurs of Punjabi origin, the Chief Minister said, “Many successful companies in India and across the world have been founded or co-founded by Punjabis. Companies like Zomato, Ola and Flipkart are examples of how Punjabis have made their mark globally. Punjab has always been the land of entrepreneurs. Wherever Punjabis go, they set up businesses, create jobs and leave their mark. Our aim is that the next generation of successful founders should not just come from Punjab. Rather, they should also establish their companies in Punjab.”

Highlighting the importance of innovation eco-system, the Chief Minister said, “The objective of providing seed money is to reduce the initial burden on startups and to give them the confidence to transform their ideas into reality and move forward. Universities and colleges should become hubs of innovation where ideas become the foundation of products, services, companies and solutions beyond the classroom.”

Recalling his foreign visits, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in South Korea’s Pangyo Techno Valley and the Netherlands’ World Horti Centre, he saw how a planned innovation eco-system could transform an entire region. This model shows that when the eco-system is designed correctly, ideas can become the foundation of world-class companies. Similarly, during my visit to the World Horti Center in the Netherlands, I saw how innovation can transform farming and horticulture through testing, implementation and commercialization of new technologies.”

Talking about Punjab’s agricultural potential, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The future growth in Punjab should be through high-value farming, agri-tech, food processing, safe farming, cold chain and agri-logistics. Our farmers have always been progressive and the Punjab government is committed to providing them access to modern technology, better markets and new business models.”

The Chief Minister said that these startups will play an important role in bringing meaningful change in Punjab by creating employment opportunities and restoring confidence among the youth. He said, “We want every entrepreneur to become the brand ambassador of Punjab. Wherever you go, make Punjab proud and tell the world that Punjab is ready for innovation, Punjab is ready for startups and Punjab is ready for the future.”

Assuring full support from the Punjab Government, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “We will stand by you, listen to you, support you and solve every difficulty you face. Just as a small seed needs water, nutrition and care to transform into a healthy plant, similarly an entrepreneur needs initial financial support to transform his idea into a successful business. Many brilliant ideas fail because entrepreneurs lack resources in the initial stages, but the Punjab Government is Will not let the dreams of young entrepreneurs be shattered due to this.”

Citing policy initiatives, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “These seed grants will help in realizing the dreams of the youth of Punjab. Under the ‘Startup and Industrial Policy-2026’, the amount of seed grant has been increased from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. Our aim is to make the youth job creators instead of job seekers.”

Expressing emotional connect with the young entrepreneurs, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Never think small. Dream big. Keep your eyes on building global companies that compete globally. When you succeed, you will not succeed alone. You will bring glory to your parents, your community and Punjab.”

Expressing confidence in Punjab’s startup eco-system, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “I am happy to see more startups emerging in sectors like agriculture, technology, artificial intelligence, governance, textiles and manufacturing. These 31 startups will create new employment opportunities and open new avenues of progress for thousands of youth across Punjab.”

Reiterating the government’s commitment towards innovation-led development, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Innovation, perseverance and entrepreneurship are the driving forces of economic growth. Together we will create a prosperous, innovative and globally competitive Punjab. This assistance is not just financial assistance but it reflects your ideas, your courage and the Punjab government’s belief in its future. Every big company in the world started from a small scale. Absolute belief, hard work, right support and courage to take risks have transformed those ideas.” into global scale enterprises.”

Taking a dig at the previous governments, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Such programs were never on the agenda of the previous governments, which ruined Punjab and looted our state’s resources. The Punjab government is doing everything possible to ensure that the youth benefit from such initiatives and help make Punjab a leading state in the country. Punjab is already setting benchmarks in sectors like health, education and startups. Road safety forces, providing daytime electricity to farmers, “Initiatives like 300 units of free electricity and underground laying of high-tension power cables are all examples of innovative ideas that are strengthening Punjab’s economy.”

On this occasion, Cabinet Minister Aman Arora, Punjab Development Commission Vice Chairperson Seema Bansal, Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha, Administrative Secretary Industries and Commerce Gurkirat Kripal Singh, Director Industries and Commerce Jaspreet Singh and many other dignitaries were present.

What does the ‘Startup Punjab Seed Grant’ initiative mean for young entrepreneurs?

The Bhagwant Mann government distributed seed grants worth Rs 1.07 crore to 31 startups as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s startup eco-system and encourage youth-led entrepreneurship. Under this initiative, 7 startups received a grant of Rs 5 lakh, while 24 startups received a grant of Rs 3 lakh to convert innovative ideas into viable businesses. The objective of this assistance is to reduce the financial burden faced by entrepreneurs during the initial stages of their ventures.

This assistance is being provided under the ‘Punjab Startup and Industry Policy-2026’, which has increased the seed grant assistance from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh for eligible startups. The policy is based on an effort to transform youth into job creators rather than job seekers and encourage innovation-led growth in various sectors.

The selected startups represent diverse sectors including agriculture, artificial intelligence, technology, governance, textiles and manufacturing, sectors that have the potential to take the state’s economic growth to the next phase.

This initiative also aims to solve the challenge of youth migration by creating opportunities in the state itself. The Punjab government hopes that these startups will generate employment, inspire other youth to pursue entrepreneurship and contribute to building a strong innovation-led ecosystem in the state. Taking inspiration from global innovation hubs like Pangyo Techno Valley in South Korea and World Hearty Center in the Netherlands, the Punjab Government is working to create an environment where ideas developed in Punjab can grow into nationally and globally competitive enterprises.