-APS Noorpuri
Mohali, 30 October 2026: TiE Chandigarh, in collaboration with the Department of Pharmaceutical Management (DoPM), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) S.A.S. Nagar successfully concluded UDYAMOTSAV 2026, a two-day entrepreneurship conclave held on 27 and 28 October at the MBA Seminar Hall, NIPER.
More than 200 postgraduate students took part, engaging with entrepreneurs, CXOs and industry experts through keynotes, a panel discussion, a fireside chat and hands-on workshops.
TiE Chandigarh is a chapter of TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs), a global not-for-profit network dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship through mentoring, networking, education, funding and incubation.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Brahm Alreja, President, TiE Chandigarh, said, “Pharma and life sciences will shape India’s next wave of innovation, and the students at NIPER are among the best-trained minds to lead it. Their research and expertise can become the foundation of world-class companies. Through UDYAMOTSAV, we wanted them to see entrepreneurship not as a distant dream but as a real career choice. TiE Chandigarh is committed to walking alongside these future founders with mentorship, networks and support at every stage of their journey.”
Over two days, sessions covered artificial intelligence, digital marketing, communication, branding, customer-led growth and building ventures in pharma and life sciences.
The first day focused on technology and the realities of building a startup.
A panel discussion on AI & Startups featured Mr. Advait Upadhyay, Vice President, TiE Chandigarh; Mr. Ankur Dinesh Garg, CTO, Allyra.AI; and Mr. Vijay Sandhu, MD, Soft Elevation Pvt Ltd. The panelists discussed how artificial intelligence is changing the way startups are built, run and scaled.
The highlight of the day was a fireside chat titled Lessons from Building a Category-Defining Startup, featuring Mr. Saurabh Munjal, Co-founder and CEO of Lahori Zeera (Archian Foods), in conversation with Mr. Harit Mohan of Signicent. Mr. Munjal took the audience through the Lahori Zeera journey, from a bold bet on a traditional Indian flavour to a homegrown brand that now competes with global beverage giants.
Mr. Nitan Jain of XOR Labs led a workshop on AI in Marketing: Lessons from 300+ Brands, showing participants how AI tools can sharpen marketing and help brands reach wider markets. Mr. Rupesh K. Singh of the Adani Group delivered a keynote on Effective Communication. Mr. Vikram R Singh, Founder, Antier Solutions, closed the day’s sessions with a keynote on the Entrepreneurial Mindset.
Day 2 turned to sector opportunities and the skills needed to grow a business. Its key highlight was a hands-on workshop by Mr. Hemant Raj Singh of FMC Corporation on turning customer insight into revenue.
Mr. Punit Bansal of Theon Pharmaceuticals opened the sessions with a keynote on Entrepreneurship Opportunities in Pharma and Life Sciences.
Mr. Hemant Raj Singh, India Head – CRM & Channel Excellence, FMC Corporation, led an interactive workshop titled Voice of Customer: Voice of Revenue. Drawing on his experience leading CRM and channel programmes at a global agricultural sciences company, Mr. Singh showed participants how to listen to customers systematically and turn what they hear into growth.
Mr. Nitin Jain, TiE U Lead, Chandigarh, gave a TiE U Briefing that introduced students to TiE’s programmes for young and aspiring entrepreneurs. Mr. Mohit Sharma, Founder, Blacklisted, conducted a workshop on The Power of Branding: Building Brands That Stand Out. Mr. Anuj Aggarwal, Director, Altruist Technologies, delivered the closing keynote, From Idea to Enterprise.
TiE Chandigarh thanked the Department of Pharmaceutical Management and the leadership of NIPER S.A.S. Nagar for their partnership, and all speakers, mentors and volunteers for making the conclave a success.
