Punjab to become India’s startup hub, says Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann

Describing startups as a key pillar of Punjab’s future economic growth, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said his government is committed to ensuring that no promising idea is abandoned due to a lack of financial support.

The chief minister distributed seed grants worth Rs 1.07 crore to 31 startups and their founders, saying Punjab’s next generation of successful entrepreneurs should not only emerge from the state but also build their companies in Punjab, creating jobs and wealth within the region.

Under the Punjab Startup and Industrial Policy 2026, seed grant assistance has been increased from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. Of the 31 startups that received support, seven were awarded grants of Rs 5 lakh each, while 24 received Rs 3 lakh each.

Mann expressed confidence that the startups would generate thousands of employment opportunities and help reduce the need for young people to move abroad in search of jobs.

He said innovation has become a defining feature of governance in Punjab and pointed to initiatives such as free electricity, daytime power supply to farmers and other reforms as examples of how new ideas can deliver direct benefits to people.

According to Mann, sustained support for entrepreneurship, innovation and enterprise is helping Punjab move steadily towards becoming the startup hub of India.

Addressing a gathering during an event here, Mann said, “Today is a historic day for Punjab’s industry, especially for our young entrepreneurs who are beginning their business journey with innovative ideas and a spirit of innovation”.

Drawing a parallel between entrepreneurship and politics, he said, “the AAP itself was born from an idea at a time when dynastic politics dominated the country, and the common man had been sidelined. In many ways, AAP was also a startup that cleaned the political system with its symbol of the broom”.

Highlighting Punjab’s entrepreneurial culture, Mann said, “Punjabis are renowned across the world for their hard work, determination and enterprise. Inspired by the same spirit, our youth are launching new ventures and creating opportunities. They are not merely running businesses, they are shaping the future of Punjab”.

He said many successful companies in India and around the world have been founded or co-founded by people with Punjabi roots.

Citing examples, Mann said companies such as Zomato, Ola and Flipkart demonstrate how Punjabis have established themselves on the global stage.

Emphasising the importance of supporting innovation at an early stage, the chief minister said, “The purpose of seed money is to reduce the early burden on startups and give them confidence to build, test and scale their ideas”.

Recalling his visits abroad, Mann said, “At Pangyo Techno Valley in South Korea, we saw how a planned innovation ecosystem can transform an entire region. The model demonstrated that when the ecosystem is designed properly, ideas can become global companies”.

He added, “Similarly, during my visit to the World Horti Centre in the Netherlands, I witnessed how innovation can transform agriculture and horticulture through testing, demonstration and commercialisation of new technologies.”