Union minister Manohar Lal Khattar recently inaugurated ‘Campus Tank Punjab’ at Chandigarh University. This initiative aims to support young innovators by providing $6 million in seed funding and mentorship. It’s a big deal for students from about 23,000 AICTE-affiliated institutions. So far, nearly 19,000 startups have registered.
Khattar emphasized that India’s economy, currently at $4.19 trillion, is on track to surpass Germany’s $4.52 trillion soon. He believes that India will become the third-largest economy globally, with a target of reaching a $5 trillion GDP in just two years.
He praised startups as essential for building a “Viksit Bharat by 2047.” India is home to about 176,000 startups, including 75,000 led by women and 115 unicorns, which are privately-held startups valued over $1 billion. Khattar noted, “Today’s job seekers will be tomorrow’s job creators.”
Statistics reveal a significant transformation: India’s startup ecosystem has expanded from only 400 firms in 2014 to over 176,000 in 2025, creating around 1.76 million jobs. The goal is to nurture 1,000 unicorns by 2035 and even 5,000 afterward. This growth has been noticed worldwide, with experts like MP Satnam Singh Sandhu highlighting that startups have filed over 12,000 patents.
Vansh Oberoi from Venture Catalysts pointed out that startups could contribute significantly—15% to 20%—to India’s aspirations of becoming a $7 trillion economy. It’s clear that innovative thinking is driving this momentum, making platforms like Campus Tank crucial in fostering the next wave of entrepreneurs.
In today’s fast-changing world, young innovators are vital to addressing pressing issues and positioning India firmly on the global stage. This initiative shines a light on their potential, reinforcing the idea that they hold the keys to future progress. For more on India’s economic growth and startup culture, visit The Indian Express.
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Campus Tank Punjab, Startup Launchpad, Chandigarh University, Indian Startup Ecosystem, Startup Funding, Seed Capital, Indian Economy, Viksit Bharat 2047, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Unicorns, Startup Growth, indian express
