The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ather Energy, a leading Indian electric vehicle manufacturer, to accelerate the growth of India’s clean mobility and advanced manufacturing sectors. This collaboration falls under the Build in Bharat initiative led by the Startup Policy Forum, a coalition of over 50 innovation-focused startups.
The MoU outlines a comprehensive partnership between DPIIT and Ather Energy that will focus on:
- Strategic mentorship for deep-tech startups
- Infrastructure support for startups across the EV value chain
- Joint innovation programs such as the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge
- Co-hosted talent and skill development initiatives
- Participation in marquee events like Startup Mahakumbh, along with on-ground exposure visits
The agreement was signed in the presence of Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Shri Sanjiv Singh, and Co-founder and CEO, Ather Energy, Tarun Mehta. The initiative is expected to support India’s transition towards sustainable transport and create a more enabling environment for manufacturing-oriented startups.
“The electric mobility sector in India is entering a transformative phase. Through this partnership with Ather Energy, we aim to catalyse the development of an enabling environment where startups can contribute meaningfully to EV manufacturing, battery innovation, and clean energy solutions.”
— Shri Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, DPIIT
“We are happy to collaborate with DPIIT to strengthen support systems for hardware and deep-tech startups. With policy support and stronger industry participation, this initiative can help founders tackle core technology challenges and scale high-quality products from India.”
— Tarun Mehta, Co-founder & CEO, Ather Energy
“This partnership between DPIIT and Ather Energy brings to life the Startup Policy Forum’s Build in Bharat initiative. Unlocking the potential of India’s manufacturing sector through collaboration is key to building a globally competitive innovation ecosystem.”
— Shweta Rajpal Kohli, President & CEO, Startup Policy Forum
This strategic collaboration is poised to create new opportunities for startups in the EV and manufacturing space, furthering India’s climate goals and strengthening its self-reliant innovation ecosystem.