DPIIT Signs MoUs with PhonePe and Shell India to Strengthen Startup Ecosystem and Drive Innovation
Issued by Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on 20th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary & Key Takeaways
Executive Summary On August 19, 2026, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with PhonePe and Shell India to strengthen the Indian startup ecosystem. The partnerships aim to provide DPIIT-recognised startups with enhanced access to technology, digital infrastructure, mentorship, and market opportunities. These initiatives are designed to foster a self-reliant startup environment and drive innovation in sectors such as fintech, energy, and climate-tech.
Key Points / Main Content
Collaboration with PhonePe
- Infrastructure and Credits: Startups will receive transaction credits via PhonePe’s Payment Gateway and gain access to the Indus AppStore.
- Support Services: PhonePe will provide dedicated onboarding, support services, and opportunities for enhanced brand visibility.
- Knowledge Sharing: The partnership includes regular masterclasses and webinars covering fintech, sales, go-to-market strategies, and business scaling.
Collaboration with Shell India
- Sector Focus: Support is specifically targeted at startups operating within the energy and climate-tech sectors.
- Strategic Guidance: Shell India will provide mentorship, investor and incubator connections, and strategic guidance to help startups scale.
- Shell E4 Program: Startups will have the opportunity to participate in the Shell E4 Smart Energy Track to accelerate clean energy solutions.
- Ecosystem Development: The partnership involves the creation of sectoral success stories, white papers, policy briefs, and industry landscape reports to share best practices.
General Objectives
- Sustainable Scaling: The MoUs seek to strengthen market linkages and investment opportunities to help startups scale sustainably.
- Economic Growth: These partnerships are intended to contribute to India’s technological advancement and overall economic growth.
- Inclusivity: The initiatives aim to foster a robust and inclusive startup ecosystem across the country.
Impact Analysis
DPIIT-Recognised Startups Impact Startups gain access to essential digital tools, financial credits, and specialized mentorship that reduces barriers to scaling and increases market visibility. Action Required Eligible startups should look for opportunities to enroll in PhonePe’s masterclasses or apply for Shell India’s E4 Smart Energy Track and utilize the provided digital infrastructure.
PhonePe and Shell India Impact Both organizations act as industry enablers, leveraging their infrastructure and expertise to shape the growth of the fintech and energy sectors. Action Required The companies must implement the support frameworks, conduct the scheduled webinars, and produce the agreed-upon sectoral research and white papers.
Energy and Climate-tech Sector Impact The sector will benefit from a more structured innovation pipeline and a repository of shared knowledge aimed at accelerating India’s clean energy transition. Action Required Sector stakeholders should monitor and utilize the industry landscape reports and policy briefs generated through the Shell India collaboration to inform their business strategies.