Governor Kataria Calls for Innovation-Led Growth

Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria highlighted the transformative power of startups in shaping India’s future during the CII Chandigarh Startup Conclave 2025. He stated:

“The answer to what India will be in 2047 lies in India’s startup ecosystem.”

Kataria emphasized that the Chandigarh Startup Policy 2025 will empower youth not just to earn but also to create employment opportunities, addressing the nation’s challenge of job creation.

Focus on Agriculture, Fisheries, and Dairy

The Governor urged startup innovators to focus on strengthening India’s agricultural backbone by bringing innovation to sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, and dairy. He compared the current startup wave to India’s 1990s liberalization, which accelerated the country’s economic growth.

He also praised CII’s efforts in uniting entrepreneurs, government officials, and stakeholders to nurture a vibrant startup ecosystem.

UT Administration Supports Startups

Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner and Industries Secretary Nishant Kumar Yadav reiterated the administration’s commitment to startups. He highlighted that the progressive Chandigarh Startup Policy 2025 provides 360-degree support from ideation to commercialization.

Yadav also announced plans to develop Chandigarh as a hi-tech fintech city, modeled on Gujarat’s GIFT City, with a detailed proposal to be submitted to the Centre by November. He stressed that startups thrive when they focus on solving real-world problems and assured full administrative support for the policy’s success.

CII’s Role and Industry Support

Taranjeet Singh Bhamra, Chairman of CII Chandigarh, highlighted the need for active mentoring of startups, stating:

“The real requirement for startups is not awards but to be treated as wards.”

He called this era “Jai Udaan”, a time to empower startups and entrepreneurs following initiatives like “Jai Jawan,” “Jai Kisan,” and “Jai Vigyan.”

CII also announced the creation of a dedicated startup desk to drive industry and government projects through preferential procurement.

Conclave Highlights: Collaboration and Growth

The conclave featured sessions on:

• Cultivating a startup mindset

• Capital strategies for early-stage startups

• Bridging innovation gaps

• Special session on defence-startup synergy

Air Vice-Marshal Ashish Srivastava, Assistant Chief of Air Staff, encouraged startups to stay focused on their domains, engage with the ecosystem, and scale up innovations once validated.

The event also offered startups a platform to pitch, showcase, and collaborate. Partner incubators provided opportunities for high-potential startups to demonstrate innovations to both industry and government representatives.

Building a Globally Competitive Startup Ecosystem

The conclave brought together policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to discuss a roadmap for a dynamic and globally competitive startup ecosystem in Chandigarh and beyond.