Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog successfully organized the Regional AIM SUMVAAD, North Edition in Mohali, bringing together key stakeholders from government, industry, academia, incubators, startups, and the wider innovation ecosystem.

The convening aimed at strengthening the State–Centre collaboration and to build a robust incubator network across the region, while deepening engagement with key innovation ecosystem stakeholders. The initiative also focused on fostering inclusive entrepreneurship and accelerating innovation through stronger partnerships between government, industry, academia, and startups.

The regional gathering witnessed participation from representatives of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand and Delhi, along with startup councils, incubators, industry leaders, CSR partners and ecosystem enablers.

The Sumvaad featured high-level deliberations on strengthening incubation ecosystems, scaling state-led innovation initiatives and enhancing collaboration between governments, academia, incubators and industry. The sessions focused on enabling innovation-driven economic growth and unlocking opportunities for startups across emerging sectors.

Speaking during the conclave, Member of Parliament, S. Satnam Singh Sandhu, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and Chairman of CGC Landran appreciated Atal Innovation Mission’s efforts for spearheading collaborative innovation platforms that leverage regional strengths and contribute towards India’s innovation-led growth journey.

He underlined the significance of entrepreneurship and innovation in realizing the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat. He also noted that Punjab and J&K share entrepreneurial energy and academic depth and that this joint chapter would unlock new opportunities for startups, youth and industry across both states.

Sharing his thoughts on the initiative, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog Deepak Bagla said “Incubators are one of the key pillars of a successful startup ecosystem, playing a vital role in nurturing and scaling innovative ideas. At the Atal Innovation Mission, we are focused on strengthening this pillar by enabling incubators with better infrastructure, mentorship, funding access, and market linkages. Through initiatives like AIM SUMVAAD and stronger regional collaborations, we are building bridges between states, industry, academia, and startups to create a more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready innovation ecosystem empowering young entrepreneurs and accelerating the Honb'le Prime Minister's vision of Viksit Bharat.”

Director General (Industries), Himachal Pradesh Deepika Rana Khatri also emphasized the importance of stronger coordination between States and alignment with Central initiatives to improve the success rate, growth and efficiency of startups and incubation ecosystems.

Besides, a special session on “Incubators in Hospitals”, led by Dr. Aashish Chaudhry, Director, Aakash Healthcare, highlighted the growing importance of hospital-based incubation ecosystems in advancing MedTech innovation and healthcare entrepreneurship.

One of the major highlights of the event was the launch of the Punjab & Jammu and Kashmir Incubation Consortium – PI-RAHI, a collaborative initiative aimed at strengthening regional innovation partnerships and creating new opportunities for startups, youth and industry across both states.

The Regional AIM SUMVAAD also serves as a powerful platform for knowledge exchange, strategic collaboration and policy dialogue, reinforcing AIM’s commitment to nurturing innovation-led development and strengthening India’s entrepreneurial landscape through localized action and national partnerships.

Other dignitaries present on the conclave including Deepinder Dhillon, Joint Director, Startup Punjab; Prasad Menon, CEO Centre for Incubation and Business Acceleration (ISBA); Dr. Aashish Chaudhry, MD, Aakash Hospitals and Azure Labs; and Prateek Deshmukh, Program Lead, AIM, NITI Aayog, among others.

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