In a major step towards strengthening India’s clean mobility and advanced manufacturing landscape, 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.
The collaboration falls under the ambit of the Build in Bharat initiative, led by the Startup Policy Forum (SPF), a coalition of over 50 innovation-focused startups. The MoU aims to accelerate the growth of deep-tech and hardware startups in the EV and manufacturing sectors.
The agreement was formalized in the presence of Shri Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, and Mr. Tarun Mehta, Co-founder and CEO of Ather Energy. The partnership outlines strategic initiatives including mentorship for deep-tech startups, infrastructure support for EV value chain startups, co-developed talent and skilling programs, and joint innovation events such as the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge and Startup Mahakumbh.
Speaking at the ceremony, Shri Sanjiv Singh noted, “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.”
Echoing the vision, Ather Energy CEO Tarun Mehta 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.”
Shweta Rajpal Kohli, President and CEO of the Startup Policy Forum, emphasized the significance of the partnership: “This collaboration 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.”
The DPIIT-Ather Energy partnership is expected to offer a strong platform for startups to innovate, scale, and contribute to India’s transition to sustainable transport and a self-reliant manufacturing economy.
