Panjab University Brings Together 61 Startups, Industry and Academia for Pre-Incubation Drive

Chandigarh, August 22, 2026: Pre-Incubation Activity was organized at Dr SSBUICET, Panjab University for 61 startup teams that applied for ₹15 lakh grant support under the Ministry of MSME, Government of India.
The programme was organized by the DCET Incubation Centre, in collaboration with the MSME Incubation Centre, Panjab University, under the aegis of the Chairperson, Dr. SSB UICET. The participation of UT Department of Industries further strengthened the programme through meaningful government–industry collaboration.
The activity provided participants with a platform to present their ideas, receive expert evaluation, strengthen their proposals, and assess their technological and commercial potential.
The programme brought together academic and industry experts. Mr. J. P. Kundra, Hydrogen Energy Expert, and Mr. Rochak Chauhan provided valuable insight to the startup teams with practical perspectives on technology development, innovation, commercialization and market readiness.
Chairperson (Dr SSBUICET) Message: “The strength of a startup ecosystem lies in the ability to connect innovative ideas with the right expertise, mentorship and institutional support. With 61 teams participating in this initiative, Panjab University is creating a strong platform where young innovators can transform promising ideas into technology-driven and commercially viable ventures. The collaboration among academia, industry and the UT Administration will further strengthen this ecosystem and create meaningful opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation.”
A key outcome of the programme was the promotion of a faculty–startup mentorship framework, with faculty members encouraged to join interested teams as experts and mentors, providing technical guidance, research support and access to institutional expertise.
The programme, held at the Alumni Lounge and Placement Cell-II of Dr SSBUICET represents an important step towards strengthening Panjab University's innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem and creating stronger linkages among startups, academia, industry and government.
Key Highlights
61 Startup Teams | Rs. 15 Lakh MSME Grant | Industry–Academia–Government Collaboration | Faculty Mentorship | Technology & Commercialization Support
The initiative was coordinated by Dr. Sanjeev Gautam and Dr. Harjit Kaur.