Maruti Suzuki India Limited has successfully concluded the second cohort of its ‘Incubation Program for Mobility Startups,’ announcing ‘Woloo,’ ‘Hala Mobility,’ and ‘SwitchOn’ as the winning startups. These early-stage innovators will now have the opportunity to undertake a paid Proof-of-Concept with Maruti Suzuki, collaborating on disruptive technologies for real-world business applications. The initiative, conducted in partnership with the Nadathur S. Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL) at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM-Bangalore), aims to foster innovation in the mobility sector.
Winning Startups and Co-Creation Opportunities
The three winning startups, Woloo, Hala Mobility, and SwitchOn, will collaborate with Maruti Suzuki to co-create solutions using disruptive technologies. The Proof-of-Concept phase presents a unique opportunity for these startups to test and refine their innovations for actual business use within the automotive industry. Maruti Suzuki’s commitment to supporting early-stage innovators aligns with its vision to drive technological advancements in the mobility sector.
Partnership with NSRCEL and IIM-Bangalore
The Incubation Program for Mobility Startups is a collaborative effort with NSRCEL, the startup hub at IIM-Bangalore. This strategic partnership brings together industry expertise and academic insights to nurture the growth of innovative solutions in the mobility space. The success of the program underscores the value of cross-sector collaborations in driving meaningful advancements in the startup ecosystem.
Call for Cohort 3: Nurturing Tech-Led Startups
Maruti Suzuki has also announced the commencement of applications for Cohort 3 of the incubation program. Early-stage technology-led startups with a focus on Green Manufacturing, Mobility/Mobility Infrastructure, Vehicle Technology, Data & AI, and CleanTech are encouraged to apply. The program provides a platform for startups to work closely with Maruti Suzuki’s business teams on real-time industry use cases, facilitating the development of industry-ready solutions.
Interested startups can find further details and submit their applications at https://nsrcel.org/mobility/.
Industry-Ready Solutions and Mentorship
The Incubation Program for Mobility Startups received over 300 applications for its second cohort. Following rigorous evaluation rounds by experts from Maruti Suzuki and NSRCEL, the top eight early-stage startups proceeded to a six-month incubation program. Throughout the selection process, startups received valuable training and mentorship under the guidance of domain experts from Maruti Suzuki, academia, and the industry. The program also facilitated venture capitalist interactions to strengthen the startups’ solutions and connect them with potential investors.
Conclusion: Driving Innovation in the Mobility Sector
Maruti Suzuki’s commitment to fostering innovation in the mobility sector is evident in the success of its Incubation Program for Mobility Startups. By providing a platform for early-stage innovators to collaborate, learn, and refine their solutions, the program contributes to the overall growth and advancement of the startup ecosystem. As the automotive industry continues to evolve, such initiatives play a crucial role in shaping the future of mobility solutions and technologies. The collaboration between industry leaders like Maruti Suzuki and academic institutions highlights the importance of synergies in driving meaningful innovation in the dynamic landscape of mobility startups.