New Delhi: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ICICI Bank to strengthen support for startups and innovators across India.

As part of the agreement, ICICI Bank will design and implement a Startup Engagement Programme that will be hosted on the Startup India portal. The programme will align with Startup India’s wider outreach and visibility initiatives to ensure greater adoption and awareness. Startup India will also work with ICICI Bank to amplify communication, manage visibility, and connect with DPIIT-recognised startups across the country.

The programme will give selected startups access to ICICI Bank’s accelerator facility in Mumbai, which includes workspace, a structured curriculum, and mentorship from industry leaders. Startups will also be able to run pilot projects with ICICI Bank’s business units, test product-market fit, and connect with investors, venture capital firms, and potential clients. The engagement further includes industry workshops and innovation showcases.

By combining ICICI Bank’s accelerator programmes with Startup India’s ecosystem, the initiative aims to guide early- and growth-stage startups through business development, product refinement, and operational scale-up.

Speaking about the collaboration, DPIIT Joint Secretary Sanjiv said, “The partnership with ICICI Bank is about creating lasting impact through meaningful engagement with startups. It opens up new channels of support for early- and growth-stage entrepreneurs who are working to transform India’s industrial and financial landscape through technology and innovation.”

BI Bureau