**Summary:**
On August 12, 2025, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zepto Private Limited to bolster early-stage manufacturing startups. This partnership will operate through the Zepto Nova innovation challenge, a six-month program designed to identify and mentor startups specializing in hardware, IoT, packaging, and sustainable manufacturing. The initiative aims to facilitate the transition of prototypes to market-ready solutions, leveraging Zepto's delivery and digital infrastructure.
The collaboration will provide mentorship, capacity building through expert-led workshops, and Startup India assistance, with a specific focus on women-led and Tier II/III startups. Zepto intends to integrate over 100 Indian startups into its supply chain, providing them with a platform to showcase products and expand market access.
The MoU was signed by Director, DPIIT, Dr. Sumeet Jarangal, and Co-founder of Zepto, Shri Kaivalya Vohra. Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Shri Sanjiv, emphasized the importance of unicorn support in uplifting startups and the critical role of market access in their success. This MoU aligns with DPIIT's broader efforts to promote rapid innovation, inclusive economic growth, and a self-reliant India.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Commerce and Industry: The Indian governmental ministry responsible for international trade and industry.
DPIIT: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, a department under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Zepto Private Limited: An Indian quick commerce company, partnering with DPIIT to support manufacturing startups.
Zepto Nova: An innovation challenge and program by Zepto to support and mentor early-stage startups in the manufacturing sector.
MoU: Memorandum of Understanding, a formal agreement between DPIIT and Zepto.
Startup India: A Government of India initiative to promote and support startups.
Shri Sanjiv: Joint Secretary, DPIIT.
Dr. Sumeet Jarangal: Director, DPIIT, who signed the MoU.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
DPIIT signs MoU with Zepto to support
manufacturing startups through Zepto Nova
Innovation Challenge
Partnership to focus on hardware, IoT, packaging
and sustainable manufacturing
Posted On: 12 AUG 2025 11:48AM by PIB Delhi
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zepto Private Limited to support and scale early-stage
startups in the manufacturing sector through its ‘Zepto Nova’ innovation challenge.
The collaboration aims to discover and mentor startups through a focused six-month programme. It will
support startups developing technologies in hardware, IoT, packaging and sustainable manufacturing,
enabling them to progress from prototype to market-ready solutions using Zepto’s delivery and digital
infrastructure.
The partnership will provide support through mentorship and capacity building via expert-led workshops and
Startup India assistance, with a focus on women-led and Tier II/III startups. In addition, Zepto will integrate
upwards of 100 Indian startups into its supply chain, offering them a platform to showcase products, gain
market access and expand their presence.
Speaking on the occasion, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Shri Sanjiv said that support from unicorns is one of the
most impactful ways to uplift startups, enabling them to learn from the journey of successful ventures. He
added that it is not just an opportunity but also a responsibility for unicorns to contribute to the ecosystem.
Highlighting the importance of growth, he stated that market access remains a critical enabler for the success
of startups.
The MoU was signed by Director, DPIIT, Dr. Sumeet Jarangal, and Co-founder, Zepto, Shri Kaivalya Vohra.
Co-founder, Zepto, Shri Kaivalya Vohra said that the partnership with DPIIT will support startups in building
the future of manufacturing through the Zepto Nova programme.This MoU is part of DPIIT’s efforts to foster partnerships that enable rapid innovation, inclusive economic
growth and a self-reliant India.
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Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas
(Release ID: 2155374)