LPU student Innovators and Entrepreneurs Defined Innovation at Startup Punjab Conclave 2026

The 15 innovative startups presented by LPU's student entrepreneurs garnered major praise at the conclave
Jalandhar, January 14, 2026: The spirit of innovation found a powerful new catalyst as the Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Punjab, in collaboration with Lovely Professional University (LPU), hosted the ‘Startup Punjab Conclave 2026’. The conclave was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann, and was designed to ignite, empower, and equip the next generation of entrepreneurs, reinforcing Punjab’s strategic vision to emerge as a hub for innovation-led economic growth.
The conclave witnessed the distinguished presence of several eminent leaders and senior officials including, Sanjeev Arora, Minister for Industries and Commerce, Punjab,  Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and  Founder Chancellor of LPU Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal,  Raj Kumar Chabbewal, MP, Hoshiarpur;  Sarvjit Singh, Special Chief Secretary, Sports and Youth Services, Punjab, Dr. Jaspal Singh Sandhu, Vice Chancellor, LPU, Col. Dr. Rashmi Mittal, Pro-Chancellor, LPU; Surabhi Malik, Director of Industries & Commerce-cum-State Startup Nodal Officer;  Shailendra Tyagi, CEO, Neuron/STPI, Amit Kumar Panchal, DC, Kapurthala, and  Gaurav Toora, SSP, Kapurthala.
The conclave brought together nearly 100 startups, incubators, investors, industry leaders, academic experts, policymakers, and ecosystem partners, creating a cohesive forum for collaboration and exchange of ideas. The event offered a comprehensive view of Punjab’s evolving startup ecosystem, with participants showcasing innovative products, technologies, and business models aligned with regional and national priorities.
LPU emerged as a prominent contributor to the conclave, with its students presenting over 15 innovative startups, reflecting the university’s strong emphasis on experiential learning and enterprise creation. Startups such as Chickelz, Macbease, FimoraAI, Kaizel Industries, Airsense Labs, ASTRA (Medical Drones and FPV), MCT(Bionic Arm), REDDIX, along with several drone, Agi technology-based ventures, showcased solutions across diverse domains, underlining LPU’s culture of translating ideas into scalable, real-world applications.
Addressing the young innovators, Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann remarked that Punjabis are natural entrepreneurs and innovators, adding that the state offers both policy backing and financial support for ideas rooted in innovation and impact. Reiterating the government’s focus on startups addressing grassroots challenges in agriculture, health, education, and governance, he encouraged youth to embrace the mantra of “Update and Create” urging a shift from job seekers to job creators. On the occasion, incentive cheques were distributed to eight startups, with seven receiving seed grants of ₹3 lakh each and one receiving ₹1.20 lakh as lease rental assistance.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and  Founder Chancellor of LPU, stated that entrepreneurship and innovation form a core pillar of LPU’s academic and institutional philosophy. At LPU, student ideas are supported by dedicated innovation studios and a specialised Department of Entrepreneurship that provides structured mentorship, industry integration, and incubation support. Dr. Mittal emphasised that empowering young entrepreneurs goes beyond building enterprises, it contributes to national economic resilience, employment generation, and innovation capacity, making it a privilege for LPU to partner in initiatives that align education with nation-building.
The conclave also featured focused panel discussions on strengthening incubator ecosystems, founder-led scaling strategies, and leveraging emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Deep Tech, and Cybersecurity. The event concluded with the recognition of key incubators, enablers, and nodal agencies, reaffirming LPU’s continued collaboration with forward-looking initiatives aimed at inclusive, innovation-driven growth and long-term societal impact.