**Executive Summary**
On March 24, 2026, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Blue Star Limited to strengthen India’s manufacturing and startup ecosystem. The collaboration aims to support entrepreneurs in HVAC and digital sectors through mentorship, R&D access, and innovation challenges. Key initiatives include the organization of targeted hackathons and the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge to facilitate pilot deployments.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Core Objectives of the Collaboration**
* Foster growth for product startups specializing in HVAC technologies, digital solutions, and advanced manufacturing.
* Strengthen supply chain innovation and enable the development of scalable, industry-relevant solutions.
* Bridge the gap between startup innovations and real-world industrial requirements through structured engagement.
**Support and Infrastructure for Startups**
* Provision of mentorship from industry experts and technical support.
* Access to specialized infrastructure, including R&D laboratories and testing facilities.
* Assistance with product validation, Proof-of-Concept (PoC) development, and market linkages.
* Integration of startup solutions into established industry value chains.
**Specific Initiatives and Programs**
* Exploration of innovation challenges under the "Bharat Startup Grand Challenge" framework.
* Organization of targeted hackathons focused on manufacturing and digital domains.
* Opportunity for selected startups to participate in structured PoC programs and pilot deployments.
**Impact Analysis**
**Startups, Innovators, and Entrepreneurs**
**Impact**
They receive critical access to high-end R&D infrastructure, expert guidance, and opportunities to validate their products in real-world settings.
**Action Required**
Interested entities should prepare to participate in upcoming hackathons, innovation challenges, and PoC programs to secure mentorship and pilot opportunities.
**Blue Star Limited**
**Impact**
The company acts as an industry partner, providing technical expertise and facilities while gaining early access to innovative solutions in the HVAC and manufacturing sectors.
**Action Required**
The company must provide periodic engagement sessions, open its R&D facilities to selected participants, and lead mentorship programs.
**Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)**
**Impact**
DPIIT advances its mandate to strengthen India’s manufacturing ecosystem by fostering industry-driven innovation and supporting scalable startups.
**Action Required**
DPIIT needs to coordinate with Blue Star Limited to organize the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge and oversee the implementation of the MoU's initiatives.
Key Entities Referenced
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT): The primary government department responsible for signing the MoU to foster India’s manufacturing and startup innovation ecosystem.
Blue Star Limited: The industry partner collaborating with DPIIT to provide startups with mentorship, R&D infrastructure, and technical support in the HVAC domain.
Bharat Startup Grand Challenge: The specific initiative under which innovation challenges and hackathons will be organized to engage startups with industry-relevant problems.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
DPIIT signs MoU with leading air conditioning
company to strengthen manufacturing and
startup ecosystem
Posted On: 24 MAR 2026 12:40PM by PIB Delhi
In a significant step towards strengthening India’s manufacturing and innovation ecosystem, the
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry,
has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a leading air conditioning company to support
startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs across the country.
The collaboration aims to foster the growth of product startups working in areas such as HVAC
technologies, digital solutions, advanced manufacturing processes, and supply chain innovation. It seeks
to enable startups to develop scalable and industry-relevant solutions through structured industry
engagement.
As part of the initiative, startups will be provided access to mentorship from industry experts,
infrastructure support including R&D laboratories and testing facilities, pilot opportunities, and market
linkages. The partnership will also facilitate startups in achieving key milestones such as product
validation, Proof-of-Concept (PoC) development, and integration into industry value chains.
Speaking on the occasion, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Shri Sanjiv stated that the collaboration represents an
important step towards fostering industry-driven innovation in the manufacturing sector. He noted that
such partnerships enable startups to engage with real-world problem statements and scale solutions with
tangible outcomes.
Under this collaboration, DPIIT will work with Blue Star Limited to explore the organisation of
innovation challenges under the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge, along with targeted hackathons focused
on HVAC, digital technologies, and manufacturing domains. Startups will have opportunities to participate
in structured PoC programmes, with selected entities being considered for pilot deployment and further
engagement.
The collaboration will also enable startups to access testing facilities, R&D infrastructure, and technical
support, along with structured mentorship programmes and periodic engagement sessions to align
innovations with industry requirements.
The MoU was signed by Deputy Secretary, DPIIT, Shri T. L. K. Singh and Managing Director, Blue Star
Limited, Shri B Thiagarajan, in the presence of senior officials from both sides.***
Abhishek Dayal/ Shabbir Azad/ Ishita Biswas
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