DPIIT and Mercedes Collaborate to Empower Startups and Innovators

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- DPIIT partners with Mercedes-Benz India.
- Focus on road safety and environmental sustainability.
- Support for startups and innovators through structured programs.
- Enhancement of manufacturing capabilities.
- Promotion of societal development through CSR initiatives.
New Delhi, March 7 (NationPress) The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has entered into a partnership with Mercedes-Benz India Private Limited by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing India’s manufacturing landscape, promoting road safety, and ensuring environmental sustainability.
This collaboration is designed to provide support for startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs in their pursuit of technological excellence and societal advancement, as stated in an official announcement.
The partnership will concentrate on developing structured programs that offer startups essential resources such as infrastructure, mentorship, funding prospects, and market access. Additionally, the initiative will promote international partnerships and facilitate the sharing of knowledge to create lasting benefits.
During the signing, Sanjiv, Joint Secretary of DPIIT, remarked that teaming up with Mercedes-Benz India represents a strategic move to bolster India’s manufacturing strength while encouraging responsible and sustainable innovations. He noted that this alliance would “fortify industry-academia connections and cultivate an environment that fosters significant technological progress.”
Santosh Iyer, Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz India, expressed excitement about the partnership, emphasizing its alignment with the company’s commitment to road safety, environmental sustainability, and advanced manufacturing. He pointed out that through corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding, Mercedes-Benz India intends to collaborate closely with incubators and educational institutions to create substantial societal benefits.
This initiative aims to enhance road safety, promote environmental sustainability, and facilitate societal development, which aligns with India's broader development objectives while ensuring long-term societal impact, as stated by Mercedes-Benz India.
The collaboration is set to accelerate the growth of product-oriented startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
The MoU was executed by Sumeet Kumar Jarangal, Director of DPIIT, and Santosh Iyer, MD of Mercedes-Benz India, in the presence of senior officials.
On January 16 this year, India celebrated nine years of Startup India, a transformative initiative that commenced in 2016. This day, known as National Startup Day, commemorated the country’s progress in building a strong and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. Introduced as a flagship government initiative, Startup India seeks to foster innovation and stimulate the growth of startups throughout the nation.
With over 1.59 lakh startups recognized by DPIIT, India has firmly positioned itself as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally.
This dynamic ecosystem, driven by more than 100 unicorns, continues to reshape innovation and entrepreneurship on an international level. Key cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi-NCR have spearheaded this transformation, while smaller towns are increasingly contributing to the nation's entrepreneurial drive. Startups in sectors like fintech, edtech, health-tech, and e-commerce have addressed local issues while gaining global acclaim.