New Delhi: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with quick-commerce company Zepto to identify and support early-stage manufacturing startups through the ‘Zepto Nova’ innovation challenge.
The six-month programme will focus on helping startups advance from prototype to market-ready products in key areas such as hardware, Internet of Things (IoT), packaging, and sustainable manufacturing. Selected ventures will have access to Zepto’s delivery and digital infrastructure to test and scale their solutions.
As part of the collaboration, the initiative will prioritise women-led and Tier II/III city-based startups. It will provide structured mentorship, capacity-building sessions, and expert-led workshops with assistance from the Startup India platform. Zepto also plans to integrate more than 100 Indian startups into its supply chain, offering them a platform for product showcasing and wider market access.
DPIIT Joint Secretary Sanjiv underscored the role of established companies in strengthening the startup ecosystem, noting that market access is a critical factor for their success. Zepto Co-founder Kaivalya Vohra said the programme aims to enable India-first innovation in manufacturing by connecting early-stage ventures with opportunities to scale efficiently. The partnership reflects a growing trend of public-private collaboration to accelerate startup growth, especially in manufacturing, a sector seen as vital for India’s economic development.
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