DPIIT, Ather Energy Join Hands to Boost EV Manufacturing Under ‘Build in Bharat’ Initiative
New Delhi, July 29: In a major push to clean mobility and indigenous manufacturing, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ather Energy, a leading Indian electric vehicle manufacturer. The collaboration falls under the ambit of the Startup Policy Forum’s ‘Build in Bharat’ initiative, aimed at accelerating the growth of deep-tech and manufacturing startups in India.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, and Tarun Mehta, Co-founder and CEO of Ather Energy. It outlines a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening India’s electric vehicle (EV) and clean energy ecosystem through structured mentorship, innovation programs, infrastructure support, and policy collaboration.
As part of the agreement, DPIIT and Ather Energy will jointly support:
- Strategic mentorship for deep-tech startups in the EV sector.
- Infrastructure support for emerging ventures across the electric mobility value chain.
- Joint innovation initiatives, including the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge.
- Talent and skills development programs, and
- Exposure visits and participation in flagship events like Startup Mahakumbh.
Sanjiv Singh noted, “The electric mobility sector in India is entering a transformative phase. Through this partnership with Ather Energy, we aim to catalyse an enabling environment where startups can meaningfully contribute to EV manufacturing, battery innovation, and clean energy solutions.”
Echoing the vision, Tarun Mehta, CEO of Ather Energy, said, “We are happy to collaborate with DPIIT to strengthen support systems for hardware and deep-tech startups. With policy support and stronger industry participation, this initiative can help founders tackle core technology challenges and scale high-quality products from India.”
Shweta Rajpal Kohli, President and CEO of the Startup Policy Forum, said the partnership embodies the Forum’s ‘Build in Bharat’ mission. “Unlocking the potential of India’s manufacturing sector through collaboration is key to building a globally competitive innovation ecosystem,” she said.
The initiative is expected to play a pivotal role in India’s transition to sustainable transport and build a future-ready, self-reliant startup ecosystem, aligned with national climate and industrial goals.
