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 electric vehicle maker Ather Energy to support India’s electric mobility and advanced manufacturing ecosystem, said a statement.
The agreement was formalised under the Startup Policy Forum’s ‘Build in Bharat’ initiative, which aims to strengthen the deep-tech and hardware startup ecosystem in India. The Forum comprises over 50 innovation-led startups working to enhance manufacturing capabilities across sectors.
According to the official release issued on Monday, the collaboration will focus on strategic mentorship for early-stage startups, infrastructure support for players in the EV value chain, joint innovation programmes like the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge, and talent development initiatives. It also includes co-hosting events such as Startup Mahakumbh and facilitating ground-level exposure visits.
The MoU was signed in the presence of DPIIT Joint Secretary Sanjiv Singh and Ather Energy Co-founder and CEO Tarun Mehta.
Commenting on the partnership, Singh said, “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.”
Mehta noted that stronger support systems and deeper industry-policy engagement can help startups overcome key technology challenges. “With policy support and stronger industry participation, this initiative can help founders scale high-quality products from India,” he said.
Shweta Rajpal Kohli, President and CEO of the Startup Policy Forum, who has been extensively working with homegrown startups, added that collaboration is central to building a globally competitive innovation ecosystem. “This partnership between DPIIT and Ather Energy brings to life the Startup Policy Forum’s Build in Bharat initiative,” she said.
The initiative is expected to open new opportunities for startups working in electric mobility and clean tech, and contribute to the country’s goal of building a self-reliant and future-ready industrial ecosystem.
