**Policy Summary:**
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and ICICI Bank have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support startups across India. Under this MoU, ICICI Bank will design and implement a Startup Engagement Programme, hosted on the Startup India portal, integrated with Startup India's outreach initiatives. DPIIT will support ICICI Bank in communication, program visibility, and connections with DPIIT-recognized startups nationwide. Selected startups will gain access to ICICI Bank's Mumbai-based accelerator, including workspace, curriculum, mentorship from industry leaders, and pilot program opportunities with ICICI Bank business units. The program also facilitates networking with venture capital firms, investors, and potential clients, along with industry workshops and showcases. This collaboration aims to foster the growth of product-based startups by offering access to accelerator programs, mentorship, and ecosystem engagement. The initiative, under Startup India, guides early and growth-stage startups through a tailored roadmap supporting business development, product refinement, and operational scaling. According to Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Shri Sanjiv, the partnership aims to create a lasting impact by engaging with startups to transform India's industrial and financial landscape through technology and innovation. ICICI Bank, with total assets of ₹21,23,839 crore as of June 30, 2025, is a leading private sector bank in India. The MoU was announced on September 4, 2025, by PIB Delhi. Contacts for further information are Abhishek Dayal, Abhijith Narayanan, and Ishita Biswas. The Release ID is 2163675.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Commerce and Industry: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for formulating and implementing policies related to foreign trade, internal trade, and industrial development.
DPIIT: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. It is responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies for promotion of industry and internal trade.
ICICI Bank: A leading private sector bank in India that is partnering with DPIIT to support startups.
Startup India: An initiative by the Government of India to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation and startups in the country.
Shri Sanjiv: Joint Secretary, DPIIT. Spokesperson for DPIIT
India: Country where the program is being launched.
Startup Engagement Programme: A program designed by ICICI Bank to support startups, which will be hosted on the Startup India portal.
Mumbai, Maharashtra: City in India where ICICI Bank's accelerator facility is located, providing workspace and resources to selected startups.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
DPIIT and ICICI Bank sign MoU to support startups
across India
MoU to provide accelerator access, mentorship, and
pilot opportunities to DPIIT-recognised startups
Posted On: 04 SEP 2025 3:06PM by PIB Delhi
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry,
and ICICI Bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support startups and innovators across the
country.
Under the MoU, ICICI Bank will design and roll out a Startup Engagement Programme, which will be hosted
on the Startup India portal. The programme will be seamlessly integrated with Startup India’s broader
outreach and visibility initiatives to ensure maximum adoption and awareness. Startup India will support
ICICI Bank in amplifying communication, managing programme visibility, and enabling connections with
DPIIT-recognised startups across India.
The initiative will provide selected startups with access to ICICI Bank’s Mumbai-based accelerator facility,
including dedicated workspace. They will benefit from a structured curriculum and mentorship by industry
leaders, along with opportunities to run pilot programmes with ICICI Bank business units to validate product-
market fit. The programme will also extend networking opportunities with venture capital firms, investors,
and potential clients, in addition to enabling participation in industry-specific workshops and innovation
showcases.
This collaboration seeks to foster the growth of product-based startups by offering them access to ICICI
Bank’s accelerator programmes, mentorship opportunities, and ecosystem engagement. The partnership,
hosted under the Startup India initiative, aims to guide early- and growth-stage startups through a tailored
engagement roadmap that supports business development, product refinement, and operational scale-up.
Speaking on the occasion, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Shri Sanjiv said that the partnership with ICICI Bank is
about creating lasting impact through meaningful engagement with startups. He observed that it opens up new
channels of support for early- and growth-stage entrepreneurs who are working to transform India’s industrial
and financial landscape through technology and innovation.
ICICI Bank Ltd. (BSE: ICICIBANK, NSE: ICICIBANK and NYSE: IBN) is one of India’s leading private
sector banks. The Bank’s total assets stood at ₹21,23,839 crore as on June 30, 2025.
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Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas
(Release ID: 2163675)