Govt working to develop ecosystem for new ventures

CHANDIGARH : Punjab additional chief secretary, industries and commerce, Vini Mahajan, on Friday, said the state government was working closely with the industry, the academia and the industry bodies to develop an ecosystem for new ventures.

Mahajan, who was speaking at a start-up summit held in Chandigarh, said that startups are among the key strategic pillars of Punjab Industrial and Business Development Policy. She had the policy had been envisaged to develop a conducive ecosystem by addressing the challenges in enterprise, market, product and knowledge and to create the infrastructure and environment required for promoting entrepreneurial activities.

The Punjab Chamber of Commerce and Industries had organised the event, in partnership with the Punjab government, the Union ministry of electronics and information technology and the Software Technology Parks of India. Over 200 start-ups attended the event.

IIT, Ropar, director, professor Sarit K Das, said a system needed to be built, where industry experience can be leveraged to develop such and academic system. “IIT Ropar plans to bring in such ecosystem in Punjab,” he added.

Deepak Bagla, CEO, India Invest, Government of India, said the kind of supportive ecosystem available to Start-Ups currently, should really stir the entrepreneurial spirit of the region.

“Under the Startup Hub Initiative, the state-of-the-art incubation centre set up at STPI, Mohali, will cater to all the teething needs of start-ups,” said STPI director general Omkar Rai.