NSRCEL, the startup hub at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), and Maruti Suzuki India have launched the seventh cohort of their incubation programme for mobility startups. The six-month programme is aimed at startups at the early-revenue to scale stage across mobility and allied sectors.
The programme will focus on startups working in vehicle technology, clean tech, mobility and mobility infrastructure, digital transformation covering Industry 4.0 and 5.0, and green manufacturing. It is intended to help participating companies strengthen their solutions, validate use cases in real-world environments and progress towards market deployment.
Selected startups will receive incubation support from NSRCEL and access to paid pilot opportunities with Maruti Suzuki, along with need-based mentoring from industry experts and industry and ecosystem connections. Winners will also be eligible for a Maruti Suzuki car, international immersion opportunities and prize money.
Mobility Startup Programme Focuses On OEM Pilots
The programme is designed for startups seeking to work with OEMs and demonstrate their solutions in real-world operating environments. The stated focus is on creating pathways towards commercial deployment and scaling beyond experimentation and validation.
The current ecosystem associated with the NSRCEL-Maruti Suzuki collaboration includes startups working across areas such as artificial intelligence, manufacturing, accessibility, electric mobility and battery recycling. The companies cited include Sarvam AI, TRUEassist, Switch On, Volar Alta, Zen Mobility and MiniMines.
NSRCEL-Maruti Suzuki Collaboration Expands Industry Engagement
Beyond the incubation programme, the collaboration has enabled technology companies to explore business engagements with the automotive and mobility ecosystem. These include EaseworkAI, which works on procurement and supply-chain intelligence for manufacturing; Woloo, a hygiene network providing access to washrooms; and Siftly, which focuses on brand visibility across AI search engines.
Other companies that have engaged with Maruti Suzuki include Innovate Labs, which develops AR, VR and XR solutions, and Sand Logic, which develops AI infrastructure and technology stacks.
NSRCEL CEO Rasika Prashant said the seventh cohort will provide startups with opportunities to engage with the mobility industry and work towards real-world applications. The collaboration will bring together entrepreneurs, domain experts, corporate stakeholders, investors and ecosystem partners.