Chandigarh, April 10, 2026: Haryana Governor Prof Asim Kumar Ghosh on Friday inaugurated the two-day conference of TiEcon Chandigarh-2026 at Hyatt Regency here.

Addressing the gathering as Chief Guest, Governor Prof Ghosh said that India’s startup ecosystem today stands as a powerful testament to innovation-led growth, with over 1.20 lakh recognised startups generating more than 12 lakh jobs across the country.

Appreciating the conference organised to promote entrepreneurship, he congratulated and extended his best wishes to the organisers. He called upon the youth to shift their mindset from seeking jobs to becoming job creators and to embrace innovation in order to contribute to the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ as envisaged by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Highlighting India’s vast middle-class market, Governor Prof Ashim Kumar Ghosh said that there are immense opportunities for young entrepreneurs to innovate using modern technologies to address evolving consumer needs. He added that sectors such as food technology hold tremendous potential for innovation, given the country’s abundant availability of raw materials.

Expressing pride in Haryana’s contribution, Prof Ghosh stated that the state has emerged as a significant player with over 7,000 recognised startups. He praised the Haryana Government’s startup policy, describing it as highly conducive for entrepreneurs. He further noted that Gurugram has established itself as a global hub for startups and technology.

Referring to TiEcon Chandigarh, he said it has become a vital pillar of the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in North India. He also highlighted Panchkula as an emerging growth centre, well-positioned to attract next-generation startups, IT companies and innovation-led investments due to its planned infrastructure, strategic connectivity and proximity to Chandigarh.

The Governor expressed satisfaction that TiE Chandigarh is part of the global TiE network spanning over 67 chapters across 23 countries, and is among its most active and impactful chapters. With a strong community of over 450 charter members and entrepreneurs, it has mentored and supported hundreds of startups across Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, and beyond.

He noted that flagship initiatives such as TiE Women, TiE University, and TiE Young Entrepreneurs are nurturing talent at all levels, engaging over 300 participants annually and building a strong foundation for future entrepreneurs.

The Governor appreciated the scale of TiEcon Chandigarh 2026, which has brought together over 2,000 delegates, more than 50 investors, 80 plus speakers and over 50 startups, calling it a remarkable example of the ecosystem’s growth and vibrancy. He emphasised that to realise the vision of India as a developed nation, it is essential to further strengthen this ecosystem through collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity.

Among those present on the occasion were Lady Governor Smt Mitra Ghosh, TiE Chandigarh President Puneet Verma, former President Murali Bukkapatnam, Brahm Alreja, Ravi Sharma, Vishal Kedia, Sumedh Sachdeva, Ashu Sharma, Ritika Singh, Pooja Nayar, JB Singh, Ajay Tiwari, Hirdesh Madan, Satish K Arora, Harit Mohan and several other distinguished guests.