Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday distributed seed grants worth Rs 1.07 crore to 31 startups and their founders. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the next generation of successful entrepreneurs should not only come from Punjab but also set up 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 great enterprise is left behind due to lack of financial support.
The Chief Minister said that under the 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 tendency among the youth to go abroad in search of jobs.
Full support to entrepreneurship and innovation
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann He said that initiatives like free electricity, daytime power supply to farmers and many other reforms show how new ideas can directly benefit 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. Seed grant of Rs 1.07 crore is being given to 31 startups. 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 dreams come true through their ideas and they deserve this support.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) itself was born from an idea when dynastic politics was dominant in the country and the common man was ignored. In many ways, AAP was also a startup that cleaned the political system with its symbol of the broom. In the 2022 assembly elections, the people of Punjab showed the way out to 7 former Chief Ministers and their families and gave a chance to an honest government. That decision has transformed Punjab and made it a leading state of the country.
Punjabis are famous for their hard work, passion and enterprise.
Highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit of Punjabis, the Chief Minister 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 a business, 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 not only come from Punjab but 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 turn their ideas into reality and move ahead. Universities and colleges should become hubs of innovation where ideas become the foundation of products, services, companies and solutions beyond the classroom.
Need for a planned innovation eco-system
Recalling his foreign visits, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that at Pangyo Techno Valley in South Korea and the World Hearty Center in the Netherlands, 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 the testing, implementation and commercialization of new technologies.
Talking about Punjab’s agricultural potential, the Chief Minister said, future development 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.
We will support you, listen to you – Mann
Assuring full support from the Punjab government, the Chief Minister said, we will support 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, 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 will not let the dreams of young entrepreneurs be shattered due to lack of funds.
Citing policy initiatives, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, these seed grants will help in realizing the dreams of the youth of Punjab. Under 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. shoot for the stars. Keep your sights set on building global companies that can compete globally. When you succeed, you will not succeed alone. You will bring honor to your parents, your community and Punjab.
31 startups will create new employment opportunities
Expressing confidence in the startup eco-system of Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, I am happy to see more startups emerging in sectors like agriculture, technology, artificial intelligence, governance, textile 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 confidence of the Punjab Government in your future. Every big company in the world started from a small scale. Full belief, hard work, right support and courage to take risks transformed those ideas into global scale enterprises.
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 its 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 development to the next phase.
The aim of this initiative is also to solve the challenge of migration of youth 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.
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