India Partners with Zepto to Support Manufacturing Startups Through Zepto Nova Innovation Challenge
In a significant move to strengthen the manufacturing startup ecosystem, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Zepto Private Limited to launch the Zepto Nova Innovation Challenge. The initiative is designed to nurture and scale early-stage startups working in hardware, Internet of Things (IoT), packaging, and sustainable manufacturing.
The collaboration will run a focused six-month program aimed at identifying promising manufacturing startups and providing them with structured guidance, mentorship, and business development support. Startups participating in this challenge will gain access to Zepto’s robust distribution network and digital infrastructure, enabling them to transform prototypes into market-ready solutions efficiently.
A distinctive aspect of the initiative is its emphasis on diversity and regional inclusion. The program will actively engage women-led enterprises and startups from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, ensuring that innovation opportunities are widely accessible. Expert-led workshops and networking sessions will further enhance the capabilities of participants, giving them a competitive edge in the manufacturing sector.
Zepto has also committed to integrating over 100 Indian startups into its supply chain, offering them valuable exposure to national markets and an opportunity to showcase their products to a larger consumer base. This will help emerging companies expand their market reach and build a stronger brand presence.
Speaking on the occasion, DPIIT officials highlighted the importance of creating an enabling ecosystem where unicorn companies can play a pivotal role in mentoring new ventures. Access to markets, they emphasized, remains a key determinant of startup success.
Zepto’s leadership expressed optimism that this partnership would contribute to shaping a vibrant manufacturing future for India, fostering rapid innovation, inclusive growth, and self-reliance in line with the country’s economic vision.
This initiative is expected to accelerate innovation-driven growth and reinforce India’s position as a hub for next-generation manufacturing solutions.
