{"id":58460,"date":"2026-01-12T17:57:38","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T12:27:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/punjabenews.com\/English\/?p=58460"},"modified":"2026-01-12T21:11:59","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T15:41:59","slug":"punjab-cm-bhagwant-singh-mann-inaugurates-punjabs-first-startup-conclave","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/punjabenews.com\/English\/punjab\/punjab-cm-bhagwant-singh-mann-inaugurates-punjabs-first-startup-conclave\/","title":{"rendered":"Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann inaugurates Punjab\u2019s First Startup Conclave"},"content":{"rendered":"

Calls innovation & hard work backbone of startup success<\/span><\/p>\n

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Over 100 startups participate as Punjab showcases its growing innovation ecosystem; Punjab Govt distributes seed grants & incentives to boost startup culture in Punjab<\/span><\/p>\n

Phagwara News:<\/span> Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann inaugurated the state\u2019s first Startup Punjab Conclave at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Kapurthala, placing innovation, hard work, and entrepreneurship at the heart of the government\u2019s economic vision. Organised by the Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Punjab, the Startup Punjab Conclave 2026 emerged as a flagship state-level platform celebrating innovation, entrepreneurship, and the state\u2019s rapidly expanding startup ecosystem.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With over 100 startups participating, seed grants being disbursed, and industry leaders, investors, incubators, academic experts, and policymakers converging under one roof, the Bhagwant Mann government sent an unambiguous message of full institutional backing to new business ideas, urging Punjab\u2019s youth to become job creators and unveiling \u201cUpdate and Create\u201d as the new mantra for youth-led growth, asserting that Punjab\u2019s future lies in entrepreneurship, not job hunting.<\/p>\n

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Interacting with entrepreneurs at the startup conclave, the Chief Minister said that the government\u2019s clear objective is to transform Punjab\u2019s youth from job seekers into job givers and enable them to carve a distinct identity for themselves. \u201cWe want the youth of the state to be job givers instead of job seekers, so that they can carve a niche for themselves,\u201d he said, adding that Punjabis are natural engineers and born entrepreneurs, which is why they succeed in every endeavour they undertake.<\/p>\n

The Chief Minister said the Punjab government is fully committed to giving wings to the dreams of Punjabis and assured that no stone would be left unturned in this direction. Coining the slogan of \u201cupdate and create,\u201d he said, \u201cThere is no dearth of funds and the government will help every single idea mooted by business leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sharing his observations from his recent visit to Japan, the Chief Minister said that countries progress because of a clear vision for the future. \u201cIn Japan, every mode of transportation is accessible from a single window. Japan has the vision to see the future,\u201d he said, citing companies like Rising Star and Rising Sun as examples of a positive mindset that has contributed to an average lifespan of over 100 years. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann urged Punjab\u2019s youth to adopt a similar forward-thinking approach, describing it as the key to success.<\/p>\n

Referring again to Japan, the Chief Minister said that Japanese citizens work overtime to achieve their dreams, which also contributes to longevity of life. \u201cPunjabis must learn these traits to excel globally and further prove their mettle. The Punjab government is making sustained and concerted efforts for the future of coming generations, calling it a moral duty of his government,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Expressing confidence in the conclave, the Chief Minister said it would serve as a vital platform to showcase Punjab\u2019s innovative and fast-growing startup ecosystem to the world. \u201cThe event has brought entrepreneurs, investors, academic experts, and policymakers under one roof to foster collaboration. Our goal is to highlight the achievements of Punjab\u2019s youth and inspire others,\u201d he said, adding that it was a matter of pride and satisfaction that more than 100 startups from across the state are participating in the conclave.<\/p>\n

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that more than 15 incubators and over five support organisations based in Punjab are showcasing their initiatives at the event. He said the Punjab government is providing special incentive cheques to eight startups, with seven startups receiving \u20b93 lakh each as seed grant and one startup receiving \u20b91.20 lakh as lease rental assistance. \u201cStartups are not just businesses, they are the biggest engines for creating new jobs and boosting the economic growth of the state,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Taking a swipe at previous regimes, the Chief Minister said that earlier people were scared of success as leaders used to demand a share in their ventures. \u201cThose leaders looted the masses and their hands were soaked with the blood of Punjab and Punjabis. Now, the government of common people is in place, which is giving every individual a fair chance to succeed in life,\u201d CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.<\/p>\n

Reiterating the Punjab government\u2019s long-term vision, the Chief Minister said it is the dream of his government that Punjab\u2019s youth become job creators instead of job seekers. \u201cStartups addressing ground-level challenges in sectors such as agriculture, health, education, and administration are being actively encouraged,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Industrial and Business Development Policy 2022 has been implemented to provide a transparent and robust framework for entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n

The Chief Minister said that Startup Punjab is working tirelessly to nurture a culture of innovation in the state, with special priority being given to women-led startups and first-generation entrepreneurs. \u201cPunjab\u2019s strong industrial base and excellent infrastructure are highly conducive to startup growth and asserted that the foundation of the state\u2019s progress will now move forward on the path of innovation and entrepreneurship,\u201d he added, exhorting investors and industry leaders to trust the talent of Punjab\u2019s youth and partner in strengthening the state\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n

Inviting youngsters to unite and explore bold ideas under the state government\u2019s Business Blasters Campaign, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, \u201cPunjab\u2019s students are full of unique concepts but often lack recognition and encouragement. We live in a world full of examples,\u201d he said, emphasising that in today\u2019s era, success depends not just on presentation but on relentless hard work. Quoting former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, the Chief Minister said, \u201cDreams are not those that come after sleep, true dreams demand action.\u201d<\/p>\n

Encouraging the youth to shun fleeting fame, the Chief Minister asked them to become \u201cbeacon lights for society.\u201d Recalling an anecdote about a toothpaste company seeking ideas to boost sales, he said that while most suggestions were conventional, one simple and workable idea transformed the company\u2019s fortunes. Bhagwant Singh Mann said with pride that the CEO of Mastercard is Punjabi, as are the founders of Swiggy and Zomato, adding that the state government is acting as a runway for dreams to take flight.<\/p>\n

On the occasion, Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora, Lok Sabha MP Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal, Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal, and several other dignitaries were present.<\/p>\n

Startup Punjab Conclave 2026 highlights state\u2019s push for innovation-led growth<\/span><\/p>\n

The Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Punjab, successfully organised the Startup Punjab Conclave 2026 at Lovely Professional University in Kapurthala, declaring it as a flagship state-level platform to celebrate innovation, entrepreneurship, and Punjab\u2019s rapidly expanding startup ecosystem. The conclave brought together startups, incubators, investors, industry leaders, academic experts, and policymakers, reinforcing the state government\u2019s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship and establishing Punjab as a preferred destination for innovation-driven enterprises.<\/p>\n

The conclave witnessed participation from over 75 to 80 startups, incubators, industry associations, and ecosystem partners, who showcased their products, services, and innovations, reflecting the growing depth of Punjab\u2019s startup landscape. The event featured an overview of the Startup Punjab ecosystem and government initiatives, cheque disbursal to seed-funded startups, and the unveiling of startup-related collateral linked to the Invest Punjab Summit.<\/p>\n

The conclave also hosted thematic panel discussions on strengthening incubator support systems, founder-driven insights on building scalable startups, and emerging technology domains such as artificial intelligence, deep tech, and cybersecurity. The event concluded with recognition of incubators, enablers, and nodal agencies, underlining Punjab\u2019s broader vision of inclusive and sustainable economic growth powered by innovation and entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Calls innovation & hard work backbone of startup success Over 100 startups participate as Punjab showcases its growing innovation ecosystem; Punjab Govt distributes seed grants & incentives to boost startup culture in Punjab Phagwara News: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann inaugurated the state\u2019s first Startup Punjab Conclave at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Kapurthala, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":58463,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-58460","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest","category-punjab"],"yoast_head":"\nPunjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann inaugurates Punjab\u2019s First Startup Conclave - PunjabENews<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/punjabenews.com\/English\/punjab\/punjab-cm-bhagwant-singh-mann-inaugurates-punjabs-first-startup-conclave\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann inaugurates Punjab\u2019s First Startup Conclave - 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