FICCI and Mercedes-Benz Launch Innovation Challenge for Early-Stage Startups

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Mercedes-Benz India have jointly launched the Bharat Innovation & Business Ideas Challenge Programme, a nationwide initiative designed to nurture early-stage innovators and strengthen India's startup ecosystem.

The programme targets priority sectors including manufacturing, sustainability, decarbonisation, electric mobility, and education. Selected innovators will receive expert mentorship, industry exposure, and opportunities to present at FICCI's flagship platforms. The top seven winners will gain innovation support of up to ₹30 lakh, along with year-long guidance and industry access.

At the national launch event, Santosh Iyer, Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, emphasized the company's commitment to India's startup ecosystem. "This collaboration reflects our shared belief that innovation, entrepreneurship and skill development are fundamental to building a resilient, sustainable and globally competitive India," he stated.

Iyer highlighted Mercedes-Benz's innovation heritage, noting the company's self-description as a 140-year-old startup. The programme aims to extend this innovation spirit to India's young entrepreneurs by fostering high-potential ideas and enabling lab-to-market transitions.

Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary at the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), drew parallels between India's agricultural traditions and its modern entrepreneurial landscape. He stressed the importance of collaboration between large corporations and agile startups, describing innovation as India's growth engine for the coming decade.

Jyoti Vij, Director General of FICCI, observed that India's entrepreneurial energy now extends beyond metropolitan areas to campuses, incubators, and tier-2 and tier-3 cities. "Through the Bharat Innovation & Business Ideas Challenge Programme, we are creating a national platform that gives early-stage innovators the ecosystem support they need at the most crucial point of their journey," she said.

The initiative aligns with India's Viksit Bharat mission, aiming to build an innovation-led, inclusive, and globally competitive economy. The programme marks a significant step toward strengthening collaboration between industry, academia, and startups while accelerating India's transition to a developed, innovation-driven economy.