New Delhi, August 12(HS): In a decisive push to accelerate India’s innovation economy, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has inked two landmark Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) — one with quick-commerce unicorn Zepto and another with industry titan Hero MotoCorp — aimed at propelling early-stage startups from blueprint to market dominance.
The announcements, made within minutes of each other, underscore the government’s intent to foster deep corporate–startup collaboration across critical growth sectors — from manufacturing and sustainable packaging to mobility, clean tech, and deep technology.
Zepto Nova: Manufacturing’s Next Big Bet
With its Zepto Nova Innovation Challenge, Zepto will open its extensive delivery network, digital infrastructure, and operational expertise to nurture early-stage manufacturing startups.
The six-month accelerator will handpick innovators in hardware, IoT, packaging, and sustainable manufacturing, providing mentorship, capacity-building workshops, and crucial market linkages through Startup India.
A defining feature of the partnership is Zepto’s pledge to integrate over 100 Indian startups into its supply chain, creating a ready-made marketplace and scaling platform. Special emphasis will be placed on women-led enterprises and Tier II/III city innovators, ensuring inclusivity within the manufacturing renaissance.
“This is more than a partnership — it’s a responsibility,” said Joint Secretary, DPIIT Sanjiv, praising unicorn-led support as a springboard for emerging entrepreneurs. Zepto Co-founder Kaivalya Vohra called the tie-up a commitment to “building the future of manufacturing” for a self-reliant India.
Hero For Startups: Driving the Future of Mobility
Meanwhile, Hero MotoCorp’s alliance with DPIIT through its Hero For Startups programme aims to energise entrepreneurs working on groundbreaking solutions for mobility, clean energy, and deep technological innovation.
Participants will gain exclusive access to Hero’s world-class R&D centres in India and Germany, alongside the company’s extensive dealer, supplier, and partner networks. Shortlisted ventures will also have the chance to develop funded Proofs of Concept, bridging the gap between pilot projects and commercial rollouts.
“Our goal is to match industry experience with grassroots ingenuity,” said Sanjiv, noting its potential to solve India’s complex mobility challenges. Hero MotoCorp Executive Chairman Dr. Pawan Munjal framed the collaboration as part of the company’s nation-building mission, aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047 and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Government–Industry Synergy as a Growth Multiplier
Both pacts exemplify DPIIT’s strategy of leveraging corporate giants as accelerators for India’s startup ecosystem. By combining policy support with real-world infrastructure and market access, these partnerships promise to turbocharge the transition of innovative ideas into globally competitive enterprises.
With manufacturing and mobility now firmly in focus, India’s entrepreneurial engine appears set to shift into top gear — powered by a winning combination of government vision, corporate muscle, and grassroots innovation.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
