Underscoring that nearly 30% of our GDP is contributed by MSME units employing over 30 Crore people, the Punjab Industry and Commerce Minister Sanjeev Arora on Saturday said that there was a vast potential lying untapped for investors to grab and introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) startups for MSME units.
“Similarly, the affordable Public Healthcare too requires startups for ensuring wider coverage and timely medico care delivery to the needy and vulnerable, the Punjab Cabinet Minister said here while sharing his thoughts on the second day of the TiECON Chandigarh 2026.
Listing out the areas which, if worked upon would be a sure shot success for young and established investors, Arora, who also holds the charge of State Power Ministry, averred that Punjab Government under the able leadership of Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann, is fully committed towards success of all our Startups.
“Mohali’s elevation as the Silicon Valley of Punjab would further fortify Punjab’s mission to develop our state with top-notch IT infrastructure and innovation mechanisms”, Arora stated.
Assuring all stakeholders of his government’s proactive support to all startups, Arora said that in the last year Punjab Government has enhanced seed money for startups from Rs. 5 Lakhs to Rs. 15 Lakhs.
“We had disbursed Rs. 6 Crores to startups during last year, and this year there is no upper limit and we shall approve all eligible startups,” Arora said.
Hosted annually in the City Beautiful, TiE Chandigarh has rightfully garnered its place in the calendar as the region’s largest entrepreneurial conclave and the most awaited IT event of the year where established investors, budding entrepreneurs and those related with the IT and allied sectors alike converge. The event held last year had also witnessed enthusiastic participation from the leaders of the IT industry from across the country.
Earlier, in his welcome address, TiE Chandigarh President Puneet Verma said that Startup Punjab’s association with TiE Chandigarh goes long way back the very year in which TiE Chandigarh was conceptualised in 2016. “We are greatly fortunate to have Punjab government’s support in all our endeavours to make Punjab more resilient and IT driven.
Thanking the Cabinet Minister for always being proactive in resolving Industry concerns, Vice-President TiE Chandigarh Brahm Alreja said that he could go on and on while enumerating the contribution of Punjab Government towards TiE and for the overall IT ecosystem. Punjab Government and TiE Chandigarh are active partners and collaborators in making Punjab the most favoured IT destination, Alreja said.
