The North News
Chandigarh, August 22
Punjab Governor and UT Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria has urged startups to drive innovation-led growth and play a defining role in shaping India’s future. Addressing the inaugural session of the CII Chandigarh Startup Conclave 2025, he said, “The answer to what India will be in 2047 lies in India’s startup ecosystem,” while stressing that the Chandigarh Startup Policy 2025 will empower youth to generate jobs and tackle employment challenges. Kataria highlighted the need for startups to strengthen India’s agricultural backbone through innovation in agriculture, fisheries, and dairy, likening today’s startup movement to the economic liberalisation of the 1990s. He also praised CII for uniting entrepreneurs, government, and stakeholders to nurture a vibrant ecosystem.
Reaffirming government support, Mr Nishant Kumar Yadav, Secretary – Industries, Chandigarh Administration, announced plans to develop a Hi-tech–Fintech City modelled on Gujarat’s GIFT City, with a detailed proposal to be submitted to the Centre by November 2025. He assured that the Chandigarh Startup Policy would provide comprehensive backing from ideation to commercialization.
CII Chandigarh UT Chairman and Agnext Technologies CEO Mr Taranjeet Singh Bhamra called for greater handholding of startups, remarking, “The real requirement for start-ups is not awards but to be treated as wards.” Announcing the creation of a Dedicated Startup Desk, he said it would drive five industry and five government projects through preferential procurement.
The conclave also featured deliberations on building a startup mindset, capital strategies, bridging innovation gaps, and a special session on ‘Defence-Startup Synergy’. Air Vice Marshal Ashish Srivastava advised startups to stay rooted in their domains and scale up once their innovations gain traction. The event provided a platform for pitching, showcasing, and forging collaborations, with selected startups presenting their innovations to industry and government representatives. Bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs, the conclave mapped out the roadmap for building a dynamic and globally competitive startup ecosystem in Chandigarh and beyond.
