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Phagwara: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday inaugurated Punjab’s first-ever Startup Punjab Conclave at Lovely Professional University, placing innovation, hard work and entrepreneurship at the centre of the state government’s economic vision.
Organised by the Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Punjab, the conclave emerged as a flagship platform to showcase the state’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem. More than 100 startups, along with investors, incubators, industry leaders, academic experts and policymakers, participated in the event, underlining Punjab’s ambition to become a preferred destination for innovation-led enterprises.
Addressing young entrepreneurs, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab’s future lies in entrepreneurship, not job hunting, urging the youth to transform themselves from job seekers into job creators. “We want our youngsters to get jobs, not look for them. Punjabis are born entrepreneurs and natural engineers, and they succeed wherever they go,” he said.
Coining “Update and Create” as the new mantra for youth-led growth, the Chief Minister assured full institutional support for every viable business idea. “There is no shortage of funds. The government will stand with every genuine idea and help it grow,” he said, reiterating that startups are among the most significant engines of job creation and economic growth.
The Chief Minister said the state government is actively nurturing innovation through the Industrial and Business Development Policy 2022, which provides a transparent and robust framework for entrepreneurs. He added that startups working on ground-level challenges in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education and governance are being specially encouraged.
During the conclave, the Punjab government disbursed seed grants and incentives to emerging ventures. Seven startups received ₹3 lakh each in seed funding, while one startup received ₹1.20 lakh in lease rental assistance, signalling tangible financial backing for early-stage innovation.
Drawing from his recent visit to Japan, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said nations progress through long-term vision and hard work. He urged Punjab’s youth to adopt a forward-looking mindset and emphasised that success depends not on shortcuts or fleeting fame, but on sustained effort. Quoting former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, he said, “Dreams are not those that come in sleep; real dreams demand action.”
Taking a swipe at previous regimes, the Chief Minister said earlier governments discouraged success by demanding a share in private ventures. “Today, it is a government of common people that gives everyone a fair chance to succeed,” he remarked.
Officials said over 15 incubators and five support organisations showcased their initiatives at the conclave, highlighting the growing depth of Punjab’s startup ecosystem. The event also featured panel discussions on incubator strengthening, founder-led scaling strategies and emerging technology domains such as artificial intelligence, deep tech and cybersecurity.
Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora, Lok Sabha MP Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal, Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal and other dignitaries were present at the event. The conclave concluded with the recognition of incubators, enablers and nodal agencies, reinforcing the Punjab government’s stated goal of building inclusive, innovation-driven and youth-powered economic growth in the state.
