The Entrepreneurship & Incubation Cell (EIC), Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh successfully organized the Startup Fair 2025, commencing with a formal inauguration and a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony. The event was graced by Dean Students Affairs, Dr. D. R. Prajapati, EIC Coordinator, Dr. Simranjit Singh, EIC Co-Coordinator, Dr. Sudesh Rani, and EIC Faculty Team Member, Dr. Jaswinder Singh, who collectively emphasized the significance of fostering innovation and strengthening entrepreneurial culture on campus.
The inaugural ceremony began at Senate Hall with a welcome address by Prof. Simranjit Singh, Coordinator, EIC, who highlighted the importance of risk-taking and experimentation in entrepreneurship. He encouraged students to adopt a “fail fast and learn fast” mindset, stressing that the fear of failure should never overshadow the pursuit of innovation. Speaking about the increasing diversity of entrepreneurial domains — including drones, medical technology, and automation — he affirmed that EIC exists so that students never look back after retirement and regret not building the company they once envisioned. “Every idea deserves a chance to be tested — and PEC ensures that students have the platform to build and validate,” he added.
This was followed by an address from Dr. D.R. Prajapati, Dean Student Affairs, who spoke about the rapidly growing startup culture within the institute. He assured students that funding constraints will never hinder a promising venture that demonstrates potential and commitment to success. Reflecting on his personal academic journey, he shared, “In 1994, my teacher told me — be a job creator rather than a job seeker — and that line continues to remain the foundation of entrepreneurial journeys today.”
The fair featured impactful sessions by faculty members and participating startups including Omacle, FitWiser, HanuAI, Attierly, Japam, Focalyt, Bharat NXT Wave, F2-Fintech, PingMe, and others, who shared their journeys, challenges, and insights into entrepreneurship. They highlighted the value of innovation-driven thinking and encouraged students to take initiative in building solutions to real-world problems.
A major highlight of the event was the internship recruitment drive, where startups extended opportunities to students from all years and branches. The fair witnessed an impressive count of nearly 170 interview registrations, reflecting strong student enthusiasm and increasing interest in gaining hands-on exposure to corporate and startup environments. An invited talk by Dr. Shivani, faculty member at CMH, further motivated PEC students to convert their innovative projects into entrepreneurial ventures. At the end of the inaugural session, Dr. Sudesh delivered the vote of thanks of the Inaugural Session.
While Day 1 focused on startup introductions and extensive student–startup interaction, Day 2 was dedicated entirely to interview rounds, advancing the recruitment process that began on the first day. A strong turnout of students participated in technical and non-technical assessments for internships, full-time roles, and project-based positions. The interview proceedings on Day 2 primarily involved three startups — Omacle, FitWiser, and PingMe. The dedicated sessions enabled recruiters to evaluate students beyond traditional screening, placing emphasis on problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and genuine passion for startup culture. Students, in turn, gained valuable exposure to structured interview environments and a deeper understanding of expectations within early-stage companies.
Day 2 reflected the enthusiasm and momentum generated by the opening day, with participants returning well-prepared, confident, and eager to secure opportunities in rapidly evolving sectors. The strong presence and active involvement of startups reinforced PEC’s mission of promoting experiential learning and strengthening professional development from within the campus.
With the completion of interview rounds, Startup Fair 2025 concluded on a positive and impactful note, achieving its core objective of bridging the gap between skilled student talent and emerging startups seeking motivated team members. The event stands as a significant milestone for EIC in promoting hiring opportunities, fostering industry interaction, and shaping an innovation-driven future for PEC students.
