Punjab National Bank Opens Its First Startup-Focused Branch in Delhi

In India’s fast-evolving entrepreneurial landscape, access to timely financial support often makes the difference between a promising idea and a sustainable business. Recognising this, Punjab National Bank (PNB), one of the country’s largest public sector banks, has taken a bold step: it has opened its first dedicated startup branch in New Delhi.

The initiative, launched in alignment with the government’s Startup India programme, is designed to create a financial ecosystem where young ventures can thrive without being burdened by traditional banking complexities. The new branch promises to act not just as a banking outlet but as a specialised support hub for startups navigating the early—and often uncertain—stages of business growth.

PNB's Startup Branch

The launch was marked by a significant partnership between PNB and the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI). During the inauguration, which saw the presence of Arvind Kumar, Director General of STPI, and Ashok Chandra, MD & CEO of PNB, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to cement their collaboration.

The agreement, formalised by Sudhir Dalal (General Manager, PNB) and Subodh Sachan (Director, STPI), focuses on providing structured financial support to startups that are part of STPI’s incubation and acceleration programmes. In essence, STPI will play the role of a bridge, connecting its curated pool of innovative startups with PNB’s financial products and services.

This strategic move ensures that promising entrepreneurs don’t just get mentorship and incubation, but also the crucial financial backing required to scale their ventures.

Banking Beyond Transactions

Speaking at the inauguration, PNB’s CEO Ashok Chandra highlighted the bank’s vision to go beyond conventional banking.

“This dedicated Startup branch offers a comprehensive and one-stop banking solution tailored to startups. The bank’s association with STPI will boost the startup ecosystem with financial solutions that will fuel the growth of emerging entrepreneurs,” he said.

Unlike a traditional branch, this startup-focused centre will act as a hub of innovation. It has been designed to cater specifically to the needs of new businesses—be it opening current accounts with customised terms, accessing working capital loans, or exploring credit products aligned with the high-risk, high-reward nature of startups.

Why This Matters

For decades, Indian entrepreneurs have often complained about the lack of tailored banking solutions for startups. Traditional banks, with their rigid credit assessment norms, rarely took into account the unique challenges of early-stage companies.

The move by PNB changes this narrative. By setting up a dedicated branch and collaborating with STPI, the bank is signalling that it understands the nuances of entrepreneurship—where ideas, talent, and innovation need equal financial support.

Moreover, the branch aims to simplify processes and become a “one-stop financial destination” for startups, enabling them to focus on building their products and scaling their businesses rather than navigating complex banking procedures.

Building an Entrepreneurial Hub

The larger vision behind this initiative is to strengthen India’s startup ecosystem, which has grown exponentially in the last decade. From just a few hundred startups in 2014, India today is home to more than 100,000 registered startups and over 100 unicorns, making it the world’s third-largest startup hub.

Yet, despite this growth, access to formal financial support continues to be a hurdle for many. With this step, PNB is positioning itself as a partner in the entrepreneurial journey, ensuring that capital is no longer a roadblock for those who dare to innovate.

The startup branch is not just a symbolic move—it is expected to become a hub for fostering innovation, offering both banking solutions and guidance to entrepreneurs who often find themselves at the intersection of creativity and financial uncertainty.

As India pushes forward with its vision of becoming a $5 trillion economy, the role of startups will be central to that journey. Initiatives like PNB’s startup branch could help unlock the next wave of entrepreneurial growth by making finance more accessible and aligned with the realities of new-age businesses.

The partnership with STPI, in particular, ensures that startups in technology-driven sectors have an institutional pathway to scale their ventures. By combining incubation support with financial assistance, the collaboration could serve as a blueprint for similar models across the country.

For Punjab National Bank, this is not just a branch opening—it is a declaration of intent. A statement that one of India’s oldest banks is ready to reimagine its role in the economy by backing the innovators, dreamers, and risk-takers who are shaping the country’s future.