Maruti Suzuki Partners with JETRO to Connect Indian and Japanese Startups

Maruti Suzuki India Limited signed a memorandum of understanding with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) today, to facilitate business opportunities for startups in both countries. The agreement was formalized between Dr. Tapan Sahoo, Executive Officer of Digital Enterprise at Maruti Suzuki, and Takashi Suzuki, Chief Director General of JETRO India, in the presence of Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and CEO of Maruti Suzuki.

Under the partnership, Indian startups will gain access to Japan's startup and innovation ecosystem, while Japanese startups will have opportunities to engage with India's entrepreneurial landscape. The organizations will work together to facilitate startup participation in relevant events and connect them with appropriate business partners.

Startups selected through Maruti Suzuki's four innovation programs—Accelerator, Incubation, Mobility Challenge, and Nurture—will be eligible to participate in these cross-border initiatives. Japanese startups can explore opportunities in India through JETRO's participation channels.

"Startups are key drivers of innovation and economic growth," said Hisashi Takeuchi. "Through our multi-format innovation programs, we have been engaging with startups in India to co-create technology-driven solutions relevant to the automobile manufacturing and mobility space."

Takashi Suzuki noted that Maruti Suzuki represents one of the successful partnerships between India and Japan. "With this MoU, we are creating opportunities for even more fruitful business collaborations between our two nations," he said.

Maruti Suzuki has been operating innovation programs for six years in partnership with the Government of India's Startup India initiative. The company has screened over 5,000 startups during this period, engaged with 150 startups, and onboarded 25 as business partners. These programs focus on developing solutions for automotive and mobility challenges.

JETRO, established in 1958, originally promoted Japanese exports but has shifted its focus in recent decades toward attracting foreign investment to Japan and helping small to medium-sized Japanese companies expand globally. The organization serves as a government-related entity that promotes trade and investment between Japan and other countries.

The partnership aligns with India's Make in India and Startup India initiatives, which aim to boost domestic manufacturing and foster entrepreneurship. India has emerged as one of the world's largest startup ecosystems, with particular strength in technology and innovation sectors.

Maruti Suzuki, India's largest car manufacturer by market share, has been a joint venture between Suzuki Motor Corporation and the Indian government since 1981. The company has played a significant role in India's automotive sector development and has increasingly focused on innovation and technology partnerships in recent years.