Punjab Bets Big on Startups: Bhagwant Mann Distributes ₹1.07 Crore Seed Grants to Fuel Innovation and Job Creation

Chandigarh, June 2026 : Punjab has taken another significant step towards building a robust innovation-driven economy, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announcing enhanced support for startups and entrepreneurship under the Punjab Startup & Industrial Policy 2026. Reinforcing the state government’s commitment to nurturing young innovators, Mann distributed Seed Grants worth ₹1.07 crore to 31 startups, describing the initiative as an investment in Punjab’s future and a major milestone in the state’s journey towards becoming one of India’s leading startup destinations.

The grants were distributed during the Startup Punjab Seed Distribution function, where the Chief Minister emphasized that Punjab’s economic future would be shaped not only by traditional industries and agriculture but also by innovation, technology and youth-led enterprise. He said the state government was determined to ensure that promising ideas receive the support necessary to evolve into successful businesses capable of generating employment and wealth within Punjab.

According to Mann, the latest round of financial assistance reflects the government’s vision of creating a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem where young people are encouraged to become job creators rather than job seekers. He noted that many talented individuals often abandon innovative ideas due to a lack of financial resources in the early stages, a challenge the state is now actively addressing through policy reforms and direct support.

Under the Punjab Startup & Industrial Policy 2026, the state government has increased Seed Grant assistance from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh for eligible startups. Of the 31 startups selected under the latest initiative, seven received grants of ₹5 lakh each, while the remaining 24 startups received ₹3 lakh each. The selected ventures represent a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, artificial intelligence, technology, governance, textiles and manufacturing.

Addressing the entrepreneurs, Mann described the occasion as a historic day for Punjab’s industrial and startup ecosystem. He said the recipients represent a new generation of innovators whose ideas have the potential to transform industries and create meaningful employment opportunities for thousands of people across the state.

“Today is a landmark day for Punjab’s youth and industry. These young entrepreneurs are transforming their innovative ideas into reality, and the government is committed to supporting them at every step,” he said.

The Chief Minister stressed that startups are no longer limited to metropolitan cities but are emerging from towns and villages across Punjab. He said the state possesses immense entrepreneurial talent and that the government’s role is to create conditions where innovation can flourish.

Drawing a parallel between entrepreneurship and politics, Mann said the Aam Aadmi Party itself was founded on a new idea that challenged established systems. He remarked that just as startups seek to disrupt industries through innovation, the party sought to transform governance by offering a transparent and people-centric alternative.

Referring to the political changes witnessed in Punjab since 2022, Mann said the electorate’s decision to support a new leadership had accelerated development and enabled the government to introduce several innovative initiatives aimed at improving public welfare and economic growth.

Highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit of Punjabis, the Chief Minister said the community has earned a global reputation for hard work, resilience and business acumen. He pointed out that Punjabis have established successful enterprises across India and around the world, often creating employment opportunities wherever they settle.

He cited well-known companies such as Zomato, Ola and Flipkart as examples of businesses associated with entrepreneurs of Punjabi origin and said Punjab must now strive to ensure that future global enterprises are not only founded by Punjabis but are also built and headquartered within the state.

“Our goal is to create an environment where the next generation of successful entrepreneurs chooses Punjab as the base for building globally competitive companies,” Mann said.

The Chief Minister underscored the importance of creating strong innovation ecosystems that connect educational institutions, entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers. He urged universities and colleges to evolve into centres of innovation where students can transform classroom ideas into products, services and commercial ventures.

According to Mann, seed funding plays a critical role in helping startups overcome early-stage challenges. He explained that many potentially successful businesses fail not because of a lack of ideas but because entrepreneurs are unable to secure initial resources for testing, product development and market entry.

“The purpose of seed funding is to reduce the burden on startups during their formative stages and give entrepreneurs the confidence to experiment, innovate and scale,” he said.

Sharing insights from his international visits, Mann referred to South Korea’s Pangyo Techno Valley as a model of how carefully planned innovation ecosystems can transform entire regions. He said the technology hub demonstrated the power of collaboration between government, academia and industry in creating globally successful companies.

Similarly, he highlighted his visit to the World Horti Center in the Netherlands, where he witnessed the role of innovation in modernizing agriculture and horticulture through research, testing, demonstration and commercialization of advanced technologies.

Drawing lessons from these global examples, Mann said Punjab intends to develop its own innovation-driven growth model that leverages the state’s strengths in agriculture while embracing emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and digital governance.

He noted that agriculture remains central to Punjab’s economy, but future growth would increasingly depend on high-value agriculture, agri-tech solutions, food processing industries, protected cultivation, cold-chain infrastructure and modern agri-logistics networks.

“Our farmers have always been progressive and willing to adopt new technologies. The government is committed to connecting them with better markets, innovative business models and modern farming solutions,” he said.

The Chief Minister also emphasized the role startups can play in addressing one of Punjab’s longstanding challenges—youth migration. Many young Punjabis leave the state or country in search of employment opportunities. Mann expressed confidence that a vibrant startup ecosystem would help reverse this trend by creating meaningful careers and entrepreneurial opportunities closer to home.

He encouraged young innovators to become ambassadors of Punjab’s growth story and showcase the state’s potential to the world. According to him, every successful entrepreneur emerging from Punjab contributes not only to economic development but also to the state’s image as a destination for innovation and investment.

Assuring entrepreneurs of continued government support, Mann said the state administration would actively engage with startups, listen to their concerns and provide assistance whenever required.

“Just as a seed needs care, nourishment and protection to grow into a healthy plant, entrepreneurs need support during the initial stages of their journey. The government will stand with them and ensure that financial constraints do not prevent good ideas from succeeding,” he said.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the government’s vision extends beyond providing financial assistance. He described the seed grant programme as a symbol of trust in the capabilities, creativity and determination of Punjab’s youth.

Expressing optimism about the future, Mann said he would like to see a larger number of startups emerge in sectors such as artificial intelligence, agriculture, governance technologies, textiles, manufacturing and other knowledge-based industries.

He maintained that innovation, entrepreneurship and determination would serve as the foundation of Punjab’s next phase of economic growth. By combining supportive policies, financial incentives, infrastructure development and institutional backing, the state aims to build a globally competitive startup ecosystem capable of attracting investment and generating large-scale employment.

The Chief Minister also highlighted several governance reforms and welfare initiatives introduced by his government, including free electricity benefits, daytime power supply for farmers, the Sadak Surakhiya Force and improvements in healthcare and education. He said these initiatives reflect the government’s broader commitment to innovative governance and inclusive development.

The event was attended by Cabinet Minister Aman Arora, Punjab Development Commission Vice Chairperson Seema Bansal, Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha and several other senior officials and dignitaries.

With the distribution of ₹1.07 crore in seed grants and a renewed focus on entrepreneurship-led growth, Punjab is seeking to position itself as a major centre for innovation in India. The state government believes that by empowering startups today, it can create the jobs, industries and economic opportunities that will define Punjab’s future for decades to come.

Team Maverick.