Maruti Suzuki Partners with Government to Support Auto Sector Startups

Maruti Suzuki India Limited has entered into a partnership with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to support startups working on technology-driven solutions in the automobile manufacturing and mobility sectors. The memorandum of understanding was signed today, in New Delhi.

Under the agreement, startups recognized by DPIIT through the Startup India initiative will gain access to Maruti Suzuki's innovation programs. Selected startups will receive expert mentorship, industry insights, and access to the company's network and infrastructure for testing and validation of their solutions. The partnership will also provide startups with opportunities to connect with incubators, accelerators, and investors.

The MoU was exchanged in the presence of senior officials including Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary at DPIIT, and several Maruti Suzuki executives including Independent Director Anjali Bansal and Director of Corporate Planning Sunil Kakkar.

Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer for Corporate Affairs at Maruti Suzuki, said the collaboration supports the government's Startup India and Make in India initiatives. Shri Sanjiv from DPIIT noted that Maruti Suzuki's experience and industry knowledge make it a valuable partner for India's startup ecosystem.

Maruti Suzuki has been operating innovation programs for six years, during which it has screened over 5,220 startups, engaged around 150, and onboarded 28 as business partners. The company runs four main programs: Accelerator, Incubation, Mobility Challenge, and Nurture.

The Startup India initiative was launched on January 16, 2016, as a government program aimed at building an entrepreneurial ecosystem across various sectors in India. The initiative is managed by DPIIT under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and has introduced several measures to support startups nationwide.