DPIIT Signs MoU with Primus Partners to Strengthen India’s Startup Ecosystem

The MoU represents a strategic step in DPIIT’s ongoing efforts to deepen collaboration between the government and private sector to drive entrepreneurship and technological advancement.

In a continued push to advance India’s innovation-led growth, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Primus Partners Pvt. Ltd. to bolster collaboration aimed at nurturing the country’s startup and innovation ecosystem. The partnership focuses on enhancing support mechanisms for early-stage and growth-stage startups, promoting capacity-building, policy integration, and industry-led engagement to accelerate India’s transformation into a global innovation powerhouse.

A New Chapter in Public–Private Collaboration

The MoU represents a strategic step in DPIIT’s ongoing efforts to deepen collaboration between the government and private sector to drive entrepreneurship and technological advancement. It will enable a structured framework for startups to access mentorship, market linkages, and expert guidance, ensuring that innovative ideas can transition successfully from concept to commercialization.

Under the partnership, Primus Partners will work closely with DPIIT to design and implement initiatives that focus on capacity building, policy awareness, and market access. The collaboration will prioritize support for product-based startups—particularly those leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, deep tech, and advanced manufacturing.

Empowering Startups Through Capacity Building and Mentorship

The partnership will introduce structured interventions to strengthen the foundational capabilities of startups through tailored capacity-building programs, workshops, and training sessions. These efforts will aim to improve entrepreneurs’ understanding of business planning, financial management, compliance, and regulatory frameworks, helping them scale sustainably.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, underscored the government’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and innovation-driven economy. He remarked:

“This collaboration reaffirms DPIIT’s commitment to fostering an innovation-led economy that thrives on creativity, technology, and enterprise. India’s startup ecosystem stands at the cusp of global transformation. By strengthening linkages between policy, industry, and innovation, we aim to create pathways that empower startups to drive sustainable growth, job creation, and India’s emergence as a global innovation powerhouse.”

The collaboration also aims to build a knowledge-sharing network that connects startups with industry mentors, domain experts, and policy leaders, fostering a culture of innovation-driven problem-solving.

Strengthening Industry and Policy Linkages

Primus Partners Pvt. Ltd., known for its expertise in policy advisory, business strategy, and ecosystem development, will play a pivotal role in facilitating cross-sectoral collaboration between startups, investors, and corporates.

Shri Davinder Sandhu, Co-Founder and Chairman of Primus Partners, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, noting that it represents a significant opportunity to accelerate innovation-driven growth. He said:

“Our partnership with DPIIT will facilitate structured engagement with the startup community through mentoring, knowledge sharing, and industry linkages. We aim to co-create a robust environment that supports innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. This collaboration is about building a bridge between policy intent and industry execution.”

The partnership is expected to serve as a model for industry-led innovation partnerships, wherein the private sector plays a proactive role in mentoring and supporting emerging entrepreneurs.

Advancing the Startup India Mission

The MoU aligns with the objectives of the Startup India initiative, launched in 2016, which has become a cornerstone of India’s economic transformation. With over 130,000 DPIIT-recognized startups spanning more than 55 sectors, India has emerged as the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world. This collaboration with Primus Partners is poised to strengthen ecosystem-level integration, foster innovation-driven entrepreneurship, and contribute to inclusive economic growth.

The partnership will also facilitate policy awareness drives to help startups navigate regulatory landscapes, intellectual property protection, and funding avenues, ensuring smoother access to government schemes and incentives.

Creating a Self-Reliant, Innovation-Driven India

By combining DPIIT’s policy leadership with Primus Partners’ industry expertise, the collaboration will focus on bridging the gap between government initiatives and on-ground implementation. It will also encourage startups to align with India’s national priorities, such as sustainability, digital transformation, and Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

Through knowledge exchange, technology integration, and innovation-driven collaborations, the initiative aims to foster a startup ecosystem that not only creates jobs and wealth but also contributes to solving key societal challenges.

Looking Ahead: Towards a Global Innovation Hub

As India continues its journey to becoming a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, partnerships like the one between DPIIT and Primus Partners play a crucial role in creating a supportive ecosystem that nurtures creativity and resilience. The collaboration is expected to pave the way for new industry-academia linkages, technology transfer programs, and international partnerships that amplify India’s global presence in innovation-led industries.

Ultimately, this partnership underscores a shared vision — to empower startups as engines of economic growth and innovation, positioning India as a leading force in shaping the global knowledge economy of the future.