The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ather Energy Limited, an Indian electric vehicle manufacturer. This collaboration aims to accelerate the growth of India’s clean mobility and advanced manufacturing sectors. The partnership is being undertaken as part of the ‘Build in Bharat’ initiative, which is led by the Startup Policy Forum (SPF), a coalition of over 50 innovation-focused startups.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Shri Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, and Tarun Mehta, Co-founder and CEO, Ather Energy.
Shri Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, spoke at the signing ceremony. He said,
“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.”
‘Build in Bharat’: A Strategic Collaboration for EVs
The MoU outlines a comprehensive partnership between DPIIT and Ather Energy. This collaboration will focus on several key areas to bolster the EV and manufacturing startup ecosystem:
- Strategic Mentorship: It will provide mentorship for deep-tech startups.
- Infrastructure Support: The initiative offers infrastructure support for startups within the EV value chain.
- Joint Innovation Programs: This includes collaborative initiatives such as the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge.
- Talent and Skill Development: The partnership will co-host talent and skill development initiatives.
- Event Participation: It encourages participation in events like Startup Mahakumbh.
- Exposure Visits: The MoU also includes provisions for on-ground exposure visits.
Tarun Mehta, Co-founder and CEO, Ather Energy, expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration. He said,
“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.”
Accelerating India’s Clean Mobility Transition
This collaboration is expected to support India’s transition towards sustainable transport. It will also create a more enabling environment for manufacturing-oriented startups. The initiative is set to provide new opportunities for startups in the EV and manufacturing space. Ultimately, it aims to contribute to a future-ready and self-reliant startup ecosystem, aligning with India’s climate and industrial goals.
Shweta Rajpal Kohli, President and CEO, Startup Policy Forum, emphasized the initiative’s impact. She said, “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.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the new agreement signed by DPIIT? A: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ather Energy Limited.
Q2: Who has DPIIT partnered with for this initiative? A: DPIIT has partnered with Ather Energy Limited, an Indian electric vehicle manufacturer.
Q3: What is the primary goal of this MoU between DPIIT and Ather Energy? A: The primary goal is to accelerate the growth of India’s clean mobility and advanced manufacturing sectors, strengthening EV manufacturing and the clean mobility ecosystem.
Q4: Under which initiative is this collaboration being undertaken? A: The collaboration is being undertaken as part of the ‘Build in Bharat’ initiative led by the Startup Policy Forum (SPF).
Q5: What are some key focus areas of the partnership outlined in the MoU? A: Key focus areas include strategic mentorship for deep-tech startups, infrastructure support for EV value chain startups, joint innovation programs, talent and skill development initiatives, and participation in industry events.
Q6: Who signed the MoU on behalf of DPIIT and Ather Energy? A: Shri Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, and Tarun Mehta, Co-founder and CEO, Ather Energy, signed the MoU.
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