In a significant step towards advancing electric vehicle (EV) objectives, the European Union (EU) and India have united forces to foster startups specializing in battery recycling technologies for EVs.
This joint endeavor seeks to enhance collaboration between Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and startups from Europe and India within the realm of clean and sustainable technologies.
The initiative, announced under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in April 2022, signifies a pivotal move towards a greener and circular economy.
Marc Lemaitre, Director-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission, highlighted the ‘Matchmaking Event’ as a catalyst for unlocking innovative prospects and fostering collaborations between EU and Indian innovators.
Scheduled for June, this event will provide a platform for 12 startups (six from each region) to pitch their ideas. Following presentations, six finalists (three from the EU and three from India) will earn the opportunity to visit each other’s regions, fostering cross-border partnerships and knowledge exchange.
Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the government, emphasized the commitment to nurturing a collaborative ecosystem where sustainability and innovation drive a thriving circular economy.
Startups interested in participating have until April 30 to submit their Expressions of Interest (EoI) for consideration. The TTC’s overarching aim is to bolster bilateral trade between the EU and India, which reached historic levels in 2022, encompassing 120 billion euros worth of goods, including 17 billion euros worth of digital products and services.
