Maruti Suzuki India has announced the 9th Cohort of its Maruti Suzuki Accelerator, inviting applications from startups worldwide for the first time. This initiative supports the Indian government’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Startup India’ campaigns, targeting innovation in automobile manufacturing and mobility sectors.
Global Participation
Maruti Suzuki Accelerator now seeks applications from both Indian and international startups, aiming to attract innovative solutions that enhance the automobile and mobility industries. Selected startups will receive mentorship from experienced experts in both domestic and international startup ecosystems, as well as from Maruti Suzuki’s domain specialists.
Comprehensive Benefits
The program offers a range of support and opportunities:
- Mentorship: Guidance from seasoned mentors and domain experts.
- Proof of Concept: Opportunities to conduct paid proof of concept projects with Maruti Suzuki.
- Global Exposure: Educational visits to Japan and chances to establish global market connections.
- Funding: Access to the Maruti Suzuki Innovation Fund for financial backing.
Mr. Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO of Maruti Suzuki India Limited, emphasized the program’s significance: “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.”
Innovation and Rebranding
Since 2019, the Maruti Suzuki Accelerator program, previously known as the Mobility and Automobile Innovation Lab (MAIL), has fostered innovation in the automobile and mobility sectors. The program collaborates with startups to develop technology-led solutions that improve customer convenience and business process efficiency. Screening over 2,000 startups and engaging with 56, the accelerator has onboarded 18 as business partners, generating over INR 1 billion in combined business.
Reflecting its evolving role and expanded scope, the program rebrands from MAIL to Maruti Suzuki Accelerator starting with Cohort 9, underscoring the company’s commitment to continuous evolution within the dynamic startup ecosystem.
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