Punjab State Council for Science & Technology
August 16 , 2024 : ( AVAJ APKI NEWS )
Punjab Govt Honours Tech-Driven Women-led Startups on Independence Day In the significant boost to women entrepreneurship, the Government of Punjab felicitated 10 women startups of the State on the occasion of 78 th Independence Day for their contribution towards strengthening and impacting innovation ecosystem of Punjab. These woman founders, making significant strides, were honored at district-level celebrations.
The Startups are supported under Startup’s Handholding & Empowerment (SHE) Initiative of
Punjab State Innovation Council steered by Punjab State Council for Science & Technology
(PSCST). The initiative is a part of Mission Innovate Punjab led by Department of Science,
Technology & Environment, GoP to technologically empower female startups for creating
ventures, generating employment and boosting economic growth of the State. These Startups,
while working on priority areas, are promoting novel technologies and interventions for
creating positive impact on societal development.
Government of Punjab is providing supporting environment for these women entrepreneurs to thrive. In line with State Government’s vision for diversification and promoting millets as sustainable and nutritious crop, three young startups, Dr. Vipasha Sharma, MKelly Biotech Pvt. Ltd., Dr. Aman & Dr. Daman Walia of Millet Sisters, and Dr. Rosy Singla of Rosy Foods are playing vital role in enhancing nutritional profile of millets, developing customized ready-to-eat products and beverages for pregnant women, lactating mothers, undernourished children and diabetics. One of the startup, Dr. Ritu Mahajan, RiBioP AgroTech Pvt. Ltd., has created an innovative biodegradable & non-toxic composition for preparing nano-bio- pesticides.
Among healthcare based startups, Dr. Gowri Jayamurgan, Gowriz Skin Care Pvt. Ltd. is working to produce biomass-based natural sunscreen formulation with anti-ageing and anti- cancer properties; Ms. Shakuntala, JV-Scan Pvt. Ltd. for AI based voice analysis tool for detecting illness at early stage through mobiles; Dr. Pallavi Bansal, TeamMed Care is providing AI based real-time health tracking for pregnant women, enabling healthcare professionals to monitor maternal health effectively. Other two startups, KreatKnit by Ms. Pooja Kaushik and Sakhiyan by Nancy Bhola are creating sustainable products from textile waste engaging underprivileged women, weavers, and artisans from rural areas of Punjab under Social Entrepreneurship Model. Aother Startup, Ms. Hardeep Kaur, Indona Innovative
Solutions has designed water flow restrictor for reducing water wastage.
Congratulating the Startups, Er. Pritpal Singh, Executive Director PSCST, informed that SHE is the initiative of PSCST under which potential women startups from colleges, universities and research institutions are being provided resources, mentorship and funding for supporting their ventures. The initiative is being taken under leadership and guidance of Secretary, Science, Technology and Environment, Punjab. Further, PSCST would be launching call for SHE Cohort 3.0 shortly, urging girl students to register for the Program.
Dr. Dapinder Kaur Bakshi, Joint Director-cum-Program Leader, informed that PSCST has undertaken massive awareness campaigns in the State in the last two years, sensitizing more than 3500 female students. While many startups have performed very well, 20 more are being mentored with the support of leading incubators and enablers, especially TBI-IISER Mohali , AWaDH IIT-Ropar, GJCEI-GNDU, Amritsar, PABI–PAU Ludhiana, STEP – Thapar Institute, Patiala and Chandigarh Angels Network. She thanked Punjab Govt. for recognizing the efforts and dedication of SHE women.
