The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ather Energy Limited, a leading Indian electric vehicle manufacturer, to accelerate the growth of India’s clean mobility and advanced manufacturing ecosystem. The collaboration is part of the Build in Bharat initiative led by the Startup Policy Forum (SPF), which includes over 50 innovation-focused startups.This strategic partnership will focus on nurturing deep-tech startups through mentorship, offering infrastructure support across the electric vehicle (EV) value chain, and launching innovation programmes such as the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge. The MoU also includes plans for joint talent development initiatives, participation in flagship events like Startup Mahakumbh, and industry-focused exposure visits.The MoU was signed in the presence of DPIIT Joint Secretary Shri Sanjiv Singh and Ather Energy Co-founder and CEO Tarun Mehta. The initiative aims to support India’s transition to clean transportation and create a more robust environment for hardware and manufacturing-centric startups.Shri Sanjiv Singh remarked, “India’s electric mobility sector is at an inflection point. This partnership with Ather Energy will help create an enabling environment for startups working on EV manufacturing, battery technology, and clean energy solutions.”Tarun Mehta added, “We are excited to collaborate with DPIIT to strengthen the ecosystem for deep-tech and hardware-led startups. With the right policy support and deeper industry involvement, we can solve key technology challenges and scale globally competitive products from India.”Shweta Rajpal Kohli, President and CEO of the Startup Policy Forum, said, “This collaboration between DPIIT and Ather Energy brings the Build in Bharat vision to life. Unlocking India’s manufacturing potential through strategic partnerships is vital to shaping a globally relevant innovation landscape.”The initiative is expected to provide significant opportunities for EV and manufacturing startups, helping build a future-ready, self-reliant ecosystem aligned with India's industrial and climate goals.