Maruti Suzuki expands its accelerator programme to include global startups

New Delhi, 10 July 2024: Committed to the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Startup India’ initiatives, Maruti Suzuki India Limited announced the opening of applications for the 9^th Cohort of its Maruti Suzuki Accelerator, an initiative for startups. In an ambitious move, for the first time, the company is inviting applications from global startups.

Both Indian and global startups, with innovative solutions relevant to automobile manufacturing and mobility space, may apply and benefit from the programme.

Benefits* to startups include:

• Guidance from mentors associated with domestic and international startup ecosystems, and domain experts from Maruti Suzuki

• Opportunity to do a Paid Proof of Concept with Maruti Suzuki

• Participate in educational visits to Japan and get an opportunity to develop a global market connect

• Secure funding through the Maruti Suzuki Innovation Fund

Mr. Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “The startup ecosystem is full of ideas and solutions relevant to the automobile manufacturing and mobility space. In 2019, we initiated a program with an aim to create an enabling ecosystem for startups with technology-driven innovations. Now, by opening the program to global startups, we are determined to further accelerate the development of innovative technologies relevant to the Indian market. This expansion will help drive technological advancements and generate good employment opportunities for the youth, thereby contributing to the nation’s economic growth.”

In 2019, Maruti Suzuki started the Mobility and Automobile Innovation Lab (MAIL)^# to promote innovation within the automobile manufacturing and mobility space. Under this corporate accelerator programme, Maruti Suzuki collaborates with startups to co-create technology-led solutions that improve customer convenience, and efficiency of business processes, among others.

The programme also provides startups with unique opportunities, including the potential for investment support through the Maruti Suzuki Innovation Fund.

Since the inception of this programme, Maruti Suzuki has screened over 2,000 startups over 8 cohorts, and engaged with 56 startups. Of these, 18 of them have been onboarded as business partners. So far, Maruti Suzuki has generated a combined business of over Rs 1 billion for these 18 startups.

Keeping in mind the requirements of the dynamic and evolving ecosystem in which the program operates, Maruti Suzuki decided to rebrand and create a new brand identity. Starting with Cohort 9, the erstwhile Mobility and Automobile Innovation Lab (MAIL) will be known as the Maruti Suzuki Accelerator.

Interested startups can click here to apply to the programme.

_{*Qualifying startups can avail of these benefits.}

_{#For the MAIL programme, Maruti Suzuki had partnered with GHV Accelerator for a five-year period.}

_{Issued by:}

_{Corporate Communication}

_{Maruti Suzuki India Limited}

_{1, Nelson Mandela Road}

_{Vasant Kunj, New Delhi}

_{Ph: 91-11-4678 1000}

_{Email: [email protected] | Twitter: @Maruti_Corp}

_{Website: www.marutisuzuki.com}