Chandigarh, December 13, 2025: TiE Chandigarh organised the Startup & Innovation Conclave 2025, an Insightful evening with founders, industry leaders, and innovators.
The conclave was powered by AU Small Finance Bank and supported by Startup Punjab. Puneet Verma, TiE Chandigarh President while speaking on the occasion spoke about the various activities and achievements of TiE Chandigarh Chapter.
He added, “It is to be noted that prize money, which is being distributed to 24 statup teams of TiEU and TiE women Chandigarh, is being funded by US based Mr. Ranbir Singh, through his charitable trust. TiE Chandigarh and the entire tie ecosystem is very thankful for this generous support.”
The Chief Guest on the occasion was Sanjeev Arora, Punjab Cabinet Minister and Guest of Honour was Alba Smeriglio, British Deputy High Commissioner, Chandigarh.
Sanjeev Arora, Punjab Cabinet Minister and Guest of Honour, while speaking on the occasion congratulated the TiE Chandigarh President, Puneet Verma and his team for hosting this event. “I acknowledge TiE leadership for its efforts and appreciate TiE for nurturing entrepreneurship, innovation and global market linkages. Startups are the key drivers of job creation, innovation and productivity, economic transformation.”
“We as the Punjab government are doing our best as far as startups are concerned. We are doing a lot to encourage the industries, and bring in investment. Our goal is to become the most startup friendly state in North India. We are going to have fast decisions, transparent policies and strong ecosystem support for startups”, the minister said.
He added, young and skilled talent is available in abundance. Strong MSME ad manufacturing base is available. Agriculture and Food Processing leadership is there and startups can do wonders in these two sectors.
The minister said we have a strategic location and connectivity, and a powerful NRI and diaspora network which can help startups. “Recently we had gone to Japan and Korea and I request TiE members to visit South Korea’s “Silicon Valley”, primarily Pangyo Techno Valley (PTV), a major tech hub near Seoul hosting giants, adding that the Punjab government plans the same ecosystem in Mohali and will tie-up with TiE so that we can together grow and have the more startups in the state which create more jobs and compete on a global stage”, he concluded.
Alba Smeriglio, British Deputy High Commissioner, Chandigarh, while addressing the gathering congratulated the winners of women and TiE university programmes, adding that this region holds a global potential. She stressed on partnership between the UK and startups of this region. “Together we can build a stronger bridge of innovation, entrepreneurship and prosperity”, she said, thanking TiE Chandigarh for inviting her. She said this chapter of TiE has become one of the most dynamic hubs bringing together founders, industry leaders, and innovators to shape a resilient ecosystem.
Alba said as a new British Deputy High Commissioner, she valued the strong partnership between the UK and TiE Chandigarh, which shows Entrepreneurship thrives when the ecosystem collaborates. She added that startups from the Punjab region have expanded to the UK.
A Panel Discussion on “Academia–Industry Collaboration for Innovation” included experts like Mr. Harit Mohan, Founder & CEO, Signicent Information Solutions LLP; Co-Lead, TiE U Global; Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar; Ms. Ritu Kochhar, Founder, Inter National Institute of Fashion Design; and Dr. Urmi Mehta, CEO, Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology. It was moderated by Shibananda Dash, CEO, Ludhiana Angels Network.
