Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
In a major boost to Punjab's startup ecosystem, Industries and Commerce Minister Aman Arora on Thursday launched two flagship initiatives—Punjab Investor Circle and Startup Punjab Hub – Neuron 2.0—aimed at connecting high-potential startups with investors while strengthening deep-tech incubation and advanced skill development across the state.
The launch event, organised by Startup Punjab at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology, featured pitching sessions by 14 startups from sectors including Information Technology, Healthcare, Agritech, Manufacturing, and Deep Technology. Entrepreneurs showcased their business ideas before venture capitalists, industry leaders, and mentors to explore funding opportunities, strategic partnerships, and long-term collaboration.
Addressing the gathering, Aman Arora said the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government is committed to building an innovation-driven economy through policy support, incubation, and investment-friendly initiatives. He said the newly launched Punjab Investor Circle will serve as a long-term institutional platform to bridge the gap between innovative startups and potential investors.
Highlighting the state's growing startup ecosystem, the minister revealed that Punjab now has more than 2,500 DPIIT-recognised startups. He said Startup Punjab has already supported over 222 startups with seed funding exceeding ₹6.8 crore, while nearly half of the recognised startups have at least one woman director, reflecting the increasing participation of women entrepreneurs in the state's economic growth.
Aman Arora also unveiled Startup Punjab Hub – Neuron 2.0, an upgraded version of the state's technology incubation programme. The earlier Neuron initiative incubated 114 technology startups, facilitated 67 intellectual property filings, generated nearly 2,700 jobs, and helped startups achieve a combined valuation of around ₹890 crore. The upgraded programme will introduce a dedicated Cybersecurity Lab along with advanced skilling infrastructure to support the next generation of technology-driven enterprises.
The event concluded with networking sessions between startups, investors, and mentors, reinforcing the Punjab Government's vision of making the state one of India's preferred destinations for startups, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Senior officials, including Industries and Commerce Administrative Secretary Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, Punjab Development Commission Vice Chairperson Seema Bansal, Invest Punjab CEO Amit Dhaka, and Director Jaspreet Singh, were also present.
