Success Story: Building AI’s backbone in Mohali

Artificial intelligence may be the future, but its backbone, high-quality labelled data, is being quietly built in Mohali. Labellerr, founded in 2020 by Puneet Jindal, is one of India’s emerging deep-tech startups enabling companies worldwide to train their AI systems.

Written by Shivangi Vashisht

Chandigarh | September 21, 2025 04:30 PM IST

3 min read

A graduate of Thapar Institute, Patiala, Jindal spent over 15 years with global firms including Delhivery, RateGain, Walmart, Sapient, and Lybrate. (Express File)

From global firms to entrepreneurship

A graduate of Thapar Institute, Patiala, Puneet Jindal spent over 15 years with global firms including Delhivery, RateGain, Walmart, Sapient, and Lybrate. His entrepreneurial journey began with the EduWave Foundation, an initiative to spread AI awareness among Indian youth. Though short-lived, it laid the foundation for Labellerr’s larger vision.

Cracking the data puzzle

“In AI, you need three things—algorithms, GPUs, and data. Eighty percent of the cost goes into data labelling, and that’s where we come in,” Jindal said. Today, the company’s datasets power applications ranging from humanoid robots to warehouse optimisation.

Growth with a lean team

Operating with a team of 15, Labellerr is set to cross $1 million in revenue this year and targets $3–4 million by next year, with most of its business coming from the U.S. The startup follows a selective hiring model, drawing talent from IIT Ropar and Thapar, and focusing on problem-solving skills and entrepreneurial drive.

Challenges on the way

The early days were far from easy. Jindal faced capital constraints and a lack of recognition for deep-tech ventures. “Investors often prefer safer, faster-return businesses like e-commerce or fintech. Convincing them to bet on data labelling wasn’t easy,” he recalled. Hiring the right talent was another hurdle, with many engineers preferring bigger tech hubs over Mohali.

Support networks

Support eventually came from the Upekkha accelerator, Thapar Venture Labs, and the IM Punjab 2023 cohort, which connected the founders with investors and mentors, helping the company gain credibility and resources.

Why Mohali

Mohali itself was a deliberate choice. “Tier-1 cities are expensive and unsustainable. If all jobs remain limited to metros, India cannot grow equitably. Building from a Tier-2 city like Mohali sets a different example,” Jindal explained.

India’s opportunity in AI

Despite India’s slow start in AI infrastructure, Jindal sees opportunity. “We may not match Silicon Valley or China on computing power, but with the right focus, India can become a leader in data,” he said.

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A message for entrepreneurs

His advice to budding founders is clear: “Don’t aim small. Think beyond million-dollar companies—build for a trillion-dollar vision. Deep tech is risky, but the rewards, if they come, are exponential. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

Finding balance

For Jindal, stress relief comes from a quiet walk at Sukhna Lake or simply watching Labellerr grow. More than business, he hopes the company proves that world-class deep tech can be built outside metros, inspiring more ventures from Tier-2 cities.

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