Ather Energy signs MoU with DPIIT to strengthen India’s EV manufacturing and clean mobility ecosystem

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with electric vehicle manufacturer Ather Energy to advance India’s clean mobility ambitions and strengthen the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing ecosystem. The collaboration is part of the Startup Policy Forum’s ‘Build in Bharat’ initiative, aimed at supporting innovation-led, hardware-focused startups in the country.

Under the partnership, DPIIT and Ather Energy will work jointly on supporting startups in the EV value chain through infrastructure access, mentorship, innovation challenges, and skilling programs. The effort focuses on promoting deep-tech and hardware entrepreneurship aligned with India’s broader industrial and climate goals.

The MoU outlines several areas of cooperation. This includes strategic mentorship for startups developing core EV and battery technologies, co-creating innovation programs such as the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge, and enabling exposure through participation in national startup events such as Startup Mahakumbh. There will also be targeted initiatives for talent development and on-ground visits to manufacturing facilities, offering early-stage companies a closer view of production processes and market linkages.

The Startup Policy Forum, which facilitates the Build in Bharat program, brings together over 50 innovation-led startups with a focus on hardware, manufacturing, and industrial technologies. The MoU is seen as an effort to bridge the gap between early-stage deep-tech ventures and large-scale industrial opportunities in India’s growing EV and clean energy ecosystem.

“This partnership between DPIIT and Ather Energy brings to life the Startup Policy Forum’s Build in Bharat initiative. Unlocking the potential of India's manufacturing sector through collaboration is key to building a globally competitive innovation ecosystem,” said Shweta Rajpal Kohli, president and CEO, Startup Policy Forum, in a statement.

The DPIIT-Ather Energy collaboration comes at a time when the Indian EV sector is gaining momentum, backed by a mix of policy incentives, state-level EV policies, and rising consumer interest. However, access to manufacturing infrastructure, ecosystem linkages, and scale-up support remain challenges for startups in the hardware and clean mobility segments.

“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,” said Tarun Mehta , Co-founder and CEO, Ather Energy, in a statement. Mehta is one of Fortune India’s 40Under40 winners.

By aligning government support with industry know-how, the partnership aims to address these gaps. It is also expected to generate pathways for localisation of key EV components, encourage innovation in battery systems, and expand the startup base in India’s emerging mobility sector.

Last week, the department had signed another MoU with automobile manufacturer Maruti Suzuki India to support innovation and growth in the auto and mobility startup ecosystem.