Rural women entrepreneurs shine under agri varsity’s start-up incubation wing

Two women, Vasu and Meena Kumari, belonging to rural areas of Rajpura are rewriting their stories with grit, innovation and the backing of Punjab Agricultural University’s (PAU) NIDHI-TBI initiative. Once rooted in modest beginnings, both women are now poised to carve a space of their own in the state’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Meena, driven by the need for eco-friendly solutions, began developing bioenzyme-based multipurpose cleaners. Her journey took a decisive turn after attending a training session at the PAU’s skill development centre, where a lecture by Dr Ramandeep Singh, Director of the School of Business Studies and Principal Investigator of NIDHI-TBI (DST, GoI), sparked her vision for a natural alternative to chemical cleaners.

“Women like Meena are not just building products—they’re building purpose,” said Dr Singh. “We’re here to support that journey.”

With guidance from the NIDHI-TBI team, Meena refined her product’s marketing, labelling and consumer outreach. Dr Poonam A Sachdev, Principal Food Technologist and Co-PI, praised her commitment to sustainability, while Sameer Gautam, Business Manager, helped her understand customer preferences and packaging strategies. Pallavi Kalyan, AEO, facilitated her enrollment as an incubatee in the programme, emphasising the growing wave of women-led innovation in the state.

Meanwhile, Vasu, founder of Glowmore Skincare, turned her passion for natural beauty products into a brand. With support from NIDHI-TBI, she launched a virtual storefront and promotional campaign, expanding her reach and building a loyal customer base.

“We’re not just supporting businesses—we’re nurturing dreams,” said Gurinder Singh, CEO of NIDHI-TBI. “Our goal is to empower women with the tools, mentorship and networks they need to thrive.”

These stories reflect a larger shift: rural women stepping into entrepreneurship with confidence and creativity, supported by institutions that believe in their potential. The PAU’s NIDHI-TBI is becoming a launchpad for such ventures—where ideas are incubated, refined and scaled with care.

From Rajpura to Samrala, women are proving that innovation isn’t confined to metros—it’s thriving in the heart of Punjab. And with the right support, they’re not just participating in the start-up ecosystem—they’re leading it.