July 29, 2025: India’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with electric vehicle company Ather Energy. The agreement aims to strengthen the startup ecosystem in the clean mobility sector by providing targeted support to early-stage hardware and deep-technology startups.
Under the pact, DPIIT and Ather Energy will collaborate on initiatives that include mentorship programs, innovation challenges, and efforts to improve manufacturing capacity and product development in the EV and battery technology space. This partnership aligns with the broader government push to develop indigenous manufacturing capabilities and support sustainable transport solutions.
Shri Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary at DPIIT, 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.”
Ather Energy DPIIT to strengthen support systems for hardware and deep-tech startups
Tarun Mehta, Co-founder and CEO of Ather Energy, noted the importance of ecosystem support, stating, “We are happy to collaborate with DPIIT to strengthen support systems for hardware and deep-tech startups. With policy support and industry participation, this initiative can help founders tackle core technology challenges and scale products from India.”
Shweta Rajpal Kohli, President and CEO of the Startup Policy Forum, said the partnership “brings to life” the forum’s Build in Bharat initiative, emphasizing the need to unlock India’s manufacturing potential through collaboration.
As the Indian EV market grows, government incentives such as FAME-II and rising consumer interest continue to drive demand. However, challenges remain around manufacturing scale and access to resources for startups. The DPIIT-Ather alliance aims to address these by combining policy frameworks with industry expertise to support startups in overcoming product and market entry barriers.
This MoU signals an ongoing commitment to developing a supportive infrastructure for clean mobility startups and enhancing India’s position in the EV manufacturing space.
