The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has signed a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with key industry players and ecosystem enablers to strengthen support for startups and promote innovation-led growth.
The partnerships have been signed with Cashfree Payments, Darwin Dynamics, Vultr India, Cars24 and the Council for Startup India (CSI), covering areas including digital payments, fintech, deep-tech innovation, cloud infrastructure, mobility technology, artificial intelligence, investment and global market access.
Under the MoU with Cashfree Payments India Pvt Ltd, DPIIT-recognised startups will gain access to digital payment and payout solutions, identity verification and risk-management services, along with preferential onboarding and commercial benefits.
The partnership will also include founder workshops, mentoring sessions, AI buildathons, hackathons and knowledge-sharing programmes focused on digital payments, compliance, fraud prevention, KYC, cross-border transactions and emerging technologies.
DPIIT’s partnership with Darwin Dynamics LLP aims to expand entrepreneurship opportunities in Tier II, Tier III and rural areas and strengthen access to mentorship, institutional networks, markets and capacity-building support.
Darwin Dynamics will undertake startup outreach and formalisation drives, entrepreneurship bootcamps, mentor-network development, international market-access programmes, investor-connect initiatives and policy research.
The collaboration will also promote innovation in strategic sectors such as clean energy, green hydrogen, artificial intelligence, climate technologies and advanced manufacturing. It is expected to benefit youth, women entrepreneurs, first-generation founders and innovators from underserved regions.
The MoU with Vultr India Pvt Ltd focuses on improving access to cloud computing and digital infrastructure for DPIIT-recognised startups. Eligible startups will receive cloud credits, preferential pricing and technical support through Vultr’s startup programmes.
The partnership will also provide training and technical assistance in areas such as cloud computing, storage, databases, Kubernetes, networking and application deployment. Vultr will explore participation in Startup India and DPIIT-led events to promote wider adoption of cloud technologies.
DPIIT has also partnered with Cars24 Services Pvt Ltd to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in India’s mobility and automotive technology ecosystem.
The partnership will focus on AI-driven innovation, founder mentorship, mobility and autotech skilling, investment opportunities, road safety and innovation challenges. Cars24 will facilitate technology enablement and hackathons and support promising startups through investment evaluation and ecosystem engagement, particularly in mobility and artificial intelligence.
Another MoU has been signed with the Council for Startup India (CSI) to facilitate access to investment, strategic partnerships, mentorship, leadership development and global markets for DPIIT-recognised startups.
Under the partnership, CSI will conduct programmes focused on investment readiness, corporate engagement, CFO matchmaking, global market access and international innovation collaborations. It will also help startups strengthen governance, financial preparedness, compliance and international expansion while facilitating links between founders, investors, industry and policymakers.
The government said the partnerships are aimed at reducing barriers to technology and finance, expanding market opportunities and strengthening mentorship and institutional support for startups.
The initiatives are expected to contribute to the development of a more inclusive, globally competitive and innovation-driven startup ecosystem in India.
