Jalandhar, August 20, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Lovely Professional University (LPU), in collaboration with the MANAGE Centre for Innovation and Agripreneurship (MANAGE-CIA), Hyderabad, and the PAU Agribusiness Incubator, brought together more than 300 stakeholders from India’s agricultural innovation ecosystem at an Agri Startup Stakeholders Connect Programme.
Organised by LPU’s School of Agriculture, the programme brought startups, researchers, industry professionals, investors, policymakers, incubators, government officials, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), corporate representatives, NGOs, faculty members and students onto a common platform.
The event facilitated discussions on research support, technology transfer, market access, mentorship and partnerships aimed at helping agricultural startups develop scalable enterprises.
Welcoming participants, LPU Pro Vice Chancellor Dr Loviraj Gupta said agriculture was entering a new phase in which innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration needed to work together to create sustainable solutions for farmers and rural communities.
He said universities had an important role in connecting researchers, startups, industry and policymakers so that innovative ideas could be translated into practical solutions with real-world impact.
Dr Saravanan Raj, Director (Agricultural Extension), MANAGE, and CEO, MANAGE-CIA, emphasised the importance of partnerships between academic institutions, incubation centres, research organisations and industry. Such collaborations, he said, could provide startups with technical guidance, networking opportunities and ecosystem support needed to turn ideas into viable ventures.
Experts from ICAR ATARI Ludhiana, NABI Mohali, ICAR CIPHET Ludhiana and CGIAR’s International Potato Center shared insights into research-driven innovation, enterprise development and institutional opportunities available to emerging agri-startups.
A Startup Idea Pitching Session gave entrepreneurs an opportunity to present their ideas before experts and stakeholders. The programme also featured a Startup Exhibition and Networking Session, where 18 agri-startups showcased their products and solutions through dedicated stalls.
The exhibition enabled direct interaction among entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, industry representatives and institutional partners, creating opportunities for potential collaborations.
Dr Pardeep Kumar Chhuneja and Dr Sapna Jarial coordinated the programme from LPU, while Muthu Krishnan, Programme Coordinator, MANAGE-CIA, coordinated it from MANAGE.
During the event, Mandeep Singh Saini presented the facilities and support ecosystem available at the LPU Incubation Centre, familiarising participants with the university’s infrastructure for nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship.
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