Ather-DPIIT: In a major initiative set to drive India’s electric mobility revolution faster. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has signed off on a strategic tie-up. With top electric two-wheeler maker Ather Energy. The partnership, signed today under the ambitious ‘Build in Bharat’ Startup Policy Forum. Marks a collective push for driving deep-tech startup innovation, local production, and the overall EV ecosystem in the country.
Ather-DPIIT: A New Era for Startup-Driven Clean Mobility
In a crowded press conference at New Delhi, DPIIT officials and Ather’s top leadership put forth the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). With a focus on strong support to next-generation startups working in EVs, battery tech, and fundamental hardware solutions.
Initiating Key Objectives and Initiatives
- Mentorship and Access to Market: DPIIT and Ather will co-design accelerator programs for hardware and deep-tech EV startups. Providing mentorship, infrastructure, and access to Ather’s R&D and manufacturing facilities.
- Skill Building: The collaboration will conduct internships, factory exposure visits, and upskilling sessions for students. First-generation entrepreneurs a step aimed at mitigating India’s severe talent deficit in manufacturing for EV.
- Bharat Startup Grand Challenge: The prime competition will discover and support promising hardware startups. The winners of which will receive pilot experience with Ather as well as access to DPIIT’s grant schemes.
- Policy and Ecosystem Development: DPIIT will utilize its policy structures to ease barriers for hardware development. Such as expedited regulatory clearances for prototype testing and scale-up.
- Supplier Ecosystem Enrichment: The two sides seek to encourage localization of key EV parts such as BMS. Electric drives, and semiconductors in order to decrease import dependence and supply chain vulnerability.
Ather-DPIIT: Why This Matters
India recorded more than 14 lakh EV sales in FY2024 (Vahan data). But 80% of the value of the core components continues to be from imports. Hardware and deep-tech startups have traditionally been handicapped. By the absence of testing facilities, capital, and mentorship under the guidance of industry captains. Deficits this tie-up intends to overcome conclusively.
ELCTRIK Speaks
The DPIIT-Ather partnership will launch its first collaborative program by Q4 2025. With applications to the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge beginning in October. Startups, academia, and budding founders are invited to join in. Be a part of the next quantum jump in India’s clean technology journey.
