Punjab rolls out investor network to boost startup funding | Chandigarh News
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, industry 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 said 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 depends on strong partnerships with investors and industry,” he said.Highlighting the state’s startup ecosystem, the minister said 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 said the original Neuron programme incubated 114 technology startups, facilitated 67 intellectual property filings, generated nearly 2,700 jobs, and helped participating startups achieve a cumulative valuation of about Rs 890 crore.
