The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has inked a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zepto to power India’s next wave of manufacturing innovation. Through the Zepto Nova Innovation Challenge, the collaboration seeks to nurture early-stage startups working on hardware, IoT, packaging, and sustainable manufacturing—sectors often overlooked in the rush of digital-first ventures.
The programme will run as a six-month accelerator-style initiative, enabling startups to move from prototype to market-ready products, while leveraging Zepto’s delivery network and digital infrastructure as a live testbed.
Fueling Startups
- Mentorship & Capacity Building: Hands-on expert-led workshops and tailored guidance from Startup India and Zepto teams.
- Market Access at Scale: Zepto has committed to integrate 100+ startups into its supply chain, providing a rare opportunity for innovators to showcase products directly to millions of Indian consumers.
- Inclusivity: Special focus on women-led and Tier II/III city startups, ensuring innovation is not limited to India’s metros.
Speaking at the signing, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Shri Sanjiv, emphasized that unicorns like Zepto have a responsibility to pay it forward:
“Support from unicorns is one of the most impactful ways to uplift startups. Market access remains the critical enabler for their success.”
Adding to this vision, Zepto Co-founder, Kaivalya Vohra, highlighted the company’s ambition to go beyond quick commerce and fuel India’s manufacturing renaissance:
“Through Zepto Nova, we’re building an ecosystem where startups can reimagine the future of manufacturing and bring world-class solutions to life.”
The MoU was formally signed by Dr. Sumeet Jarangal, Director, DPIIT and Kaivalya Vohra, Co-founder, Zepto.
Source: PIB
