Launch of Atal Incubation Centre – Chitkara Incubation Foundation

Chitkara University officially launched the Atal Incubation Centre – Chitkara Incubation Foundation (AIC‑CIF) together with the AIC‑PRIDE Labs at its Punjab campus. The centre is funded with a combined investment of up to Rs 20 crore spread over five years, contributed by the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, the Government of India and Chitkara University itself.

Focus Areas and Support Services

AIC‑CIF is designed to nurture deep‑tech startups operating in drone technologies, agritech and renewable energy. It will provide structured acceleration programmes, expert mentorship, access to funding opportunities, product validation, industry partnerships, intellectual‑property facilitation and regulatory guidance, enabling innovators to convert breakthrough ideas into scalable enterprises.

Inauguration Details

The inauguration ceremony was led by Mr. Amit Dhaka, IAS, Chief Executive Officer of Invest Punjab, who served as the chief guest. Attendees included Mr. Prateek Deshmukh, Program Lead, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, Ms. Deepakshi Jindal, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, Dr. Ashok Chitkara, Chancellor, Chitkara University, and Dr. Madhu Chitkara, President and Co‑founder, Chitkara University, along with other distinguished leaders from industry, academia, government and the investor community.

Statements from Key Leaders

  • Dr. Ashok Chitkara remarked that “innovation creates real value only when ideas move beyond the laboratory into society. AIC‑Chitkara Incubation Foundation is designed to help entrepreneurs build technologies that solve important challenges and create lasting impact.”
  • Mr. Amit Dhaka emphasized that “strong innovation ecosystems are built through collaboration. Initiatives like AIC‑Chitkara Incubation Foundation will strengthen Punjab’s startup landscape and create new opportunities for technology‑led entrepreneurship.”
  • Dr. Madhu Chitkara added that “the future belongs to institutions that connect research, industry and entrepreneurship with purpose. Through AIC‑Chitkara Incubation Foundation, we are creating an ecosystem where innovators receive the mentorship, partnerships and support they need to build globally competitive ventures while contributing to India’s innovation‑led growth.”

ATL Sarthi Punjab Initiative

The event also marked the launch of the ATL Sarthi Punjab initiative, an Atal Innovation Mission programme aimed at strengthening the Atal Tinkering Lab ecosystem across the state. Outstanding ATL Sarthis from Punjab were felicitated for their exceptional contributions to nurturing scientific curiosity, innovation and problem‑solving among school students. This initiative aligns with the broader national vision of Startup India, the Atal Innovation Mission and Viksit Bharat, creating a seamless pathway from school‑level tinkering to startup incubation and venture creation.

Acknowledgements

The university expressed gratitude to Dr. Deepak Bagla, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, for his leadership and guidance in enabling the establishment of the incubation centre, acknowledging his contribution despite his inability to attend the inauguration.

About Chitkara University

Chitkara University is a UGC‑recognised, NAAC‑accredited private university in North India with campuses in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across engineering, business, healthcare, pharmacy, design, architecture, hospitality and emerging technology fields. The institution emphasizes experiential learning through internships, industry projects, research opportunities and global collaborations, supported by modern infrastructure, advanced laboratories, industry mentorship and skill‑based training. With over 2,000 campus recruiters, 300+ international academic and industry collaborations, and consistent rankings in NIRF, QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education, the university positions itself as a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary learning.