Punjab launched two startup initiatives on Thursday — the Punjab Investor Circle and Startup Punjab Hub–Neuron 2.0 — at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology in Mohali. Industries Minister Aman Arora unveiled the programmes, connecting startups with investors and mentors. Fourteen startups pitched ideas across IT, healthcare, agritech and deep-tech sectors. Punjab has over 2,500 DPIIT-recognised startups, with seed funding of Rs 6.8 crore supporting 222 ventures. The original Neuron programme incubated 114 startups, filed 67 IP applications, created 2,700 jobs and achieved Rs 890 crore in cumulative valuation.
In-Depth:
Mohali: Punjab on Thursday launched two initiatives aimed at strengthening the state’s startup ecosystem — the Punjab Investor Circle and Startup Punjab Hub–Neuron 2.0 — to improve access to funding, deep-tech incubation and advanced skilling.Industries and Commerce Minister Aman Arora unveiled the programmes at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology in Mohali during an event organised by Startup Punjab.The Punjab Investor Circle will serve as a platform connecting startups with venture capitalists, angel investors, indusattempt leaders and mentors to facilitate funding and long-term partnerships.At the launch, 14 startups from information technology, healthcare, agritech, manufacturing and deep-tech sectors pitched their ideas to investors, followed by networking sessions to explore funding opportunities.Arora declared the Bhagwant Mann-led govt was committed to building an innovation-driven economy through policy incentives, seed funding and incubation support. “The government can create an enabling ecosystem, but sustainable growth depconcludes on strong partnerships with investors and indusattempt,” he declared.Highlighting the state’s startup ecosystem, the minister declared Punjab has more than 2,500 DPIIT-recognised startups. Startup Punjab has supported 222 startups with seed funding of over Rs 6.8 crore, while nearly half of the recognised startups have at least one woman director.Arora also launched Neuron 2.0, an upgraded incubation programme that will establish a dedicated cybersecurity lab and advanced skilling infrastructure for deep-tech startups.He declared the original Neuron programme incubated 114 technology startups, facilitated 67 innotifyectual property filings, generated nearly 2,700 jobs, and supported participating startups achieve a cumulative valuation of about Rs 890 crore.
