The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Government of India, and Kyndryl, the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on initiatives aimed at accelerating innovation and to scale India’s startup ecosystem. This collaboration will focus on supporting startups in the manufacturing and IT sectors by leveraging Kyndryl’s consulting and technological capabilities in digital transformation and generative AI solutions.
Under this initiative, Kyndryl will work with DPIIT to support startups by offering mentorship, infrastructure support, and market access, allowing them to integrate their solutions into enterprise ecosystems across industries such as automotive, pharma, banking and financial services, oil & gas, and government services. Kyndryl will work to institutionalize dedicated programs to support digital product startups, AI-driven innovators, and entrepreneurs.
Key Highlights of the Collaboration:
- Enterprise Access & Market Linkages: Kyndryl will support startups scale by helping them align their innovations to enterprise needs and connect them with relevant business networks.
- Mentorship & Expert Guidance: Kyndryl will offer mentorship on product development, market readiness, cybersecurity resilience, and enterprise deployment.
- Workshops & Knowledge Sharing: Kyndryl will conduct advisory sessions and industry workshops to help startups enhance their customer experience and operational efficiency.
- Regulatory & Strategic Support: Through collaboration with Startup India and DPIIT, Kyndryl will support efforts to facilitate knowledge sharing, to help startups better understand policies and government programs and available incentives.
- Global Scalability & Innovation: Startups will receive insights on potential opportunities for scaling their solutions internationally and exploring new markets.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Sumeet Kumar Jarangal, Director, DPIIT, and Ashish Kothari, Vice President and Partner, Kyndryl Consult, Kyndryl, in the presence of senior officials from both organizations.
Statements from Leadership:
Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, stated: “This collaboration with Kyndryl marks an important step in fostering an innovation-driven startup ecosystem in India. By leveraging Kyndryl’s global expertise and enterprise solutions, we aim to support startups in scaling their operations and driving technological advancements across industries.”
Ashish Kothari, Vice President and Partner, Kyndryl Consult, Kyndryl, commented: “India is witnessing rapid digital transformation, and startups play a crucial role in this journey. Through this colloboration, we aim to provide entrepreneurs with access to cutting-edge technology, market opportunities, and mentorship, enabling them to build scalable and impactful solutions.”
Strengthening India’s Startup Ecosystem
This collaboration between DPIIT and Kyndryl India aligns with the government’s vision of positioning India as a global innovation hub. By integrating DPIIT’s startup support framework with Kyndryl’s enterprise capabilities, the collaboration will create a structured ecosystem where startups can thrive, innovate, and contribute to economic growth.