DPIIT and Zepto Join Forces to Power India’s Manufacturing Startups with ‘Zepto Nova’

In India’s fast-changing startup landscape, manufacturing often plays a quiet but crucial role—powering industries, enabling exports, and creating jobs that ripple across the economy. Yet, for young manufacturing startups, especially those working with advanced hardware or sustainable materials, the journey from idea to large-scale production is far from easy. They face high entry costs, long R&D cycles, and a steep climb to access markets.

In a bid to bridge this gap, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has partnered with quick-commerce unicorn Zepto Private Limited to give manufacturing startups a much-needed boost. This collaboration is being rolled out through the ‘Zepto Nova’ program, a six-month innovation challenge designed to not only identify promising ventures but also mentor and integrate them into real-world supply chains.

DPIIT & Zepto Comes Together 

At its heart, Zepto Nova is more than just a challenge—it’s a launchpad. The program will zero in on startups working in hardware, Internet of Things (IoT), packaging innovations, and sustainable manufacturing solutions. Its focus is to take them from the prototype stage to market-ready products, using Zepto’s vast delivery network and digital infrastructure as a springboard.

The mission is clear: to help promising startups scale fast, sell smarter, and compete globally, all while keeping India-first innovation at the forefront.

Two Strong Pillars of Growth

The partnership rests on two major pillars:

1. Mentorship & Capacity Building – Startups will get access to expert-led workshops, guidance from industry veterans, and the backing of the Startup India initiative. Special attention will be given to women-led enterprises and ventures from Tier II and Tier III cities, ensuring that innovation is not limited to metro hubs.

2. Inclusive & Sustainable Growth – Zepto aims to integrate over 100 high-potential Indian startups into its own supply chain. This means these startups won’t just get mentorship—they’ll get real market access, brand visibility, and a direct chance to scale their operations within a rapidly growing homegrown brand portfolio.

For India’s manufacturing startups, one of the biggest hurdles is breaking into large-scale supply chains. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Sanjiv, Joint Secretary at DPIIT, emphasized that unicorns like Zepto have a vital role in uplifting startups—not just through funding or advice, but by offering tangible market access, a factor that can make or break early-stage ventures.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was formally signed by Dr. Sumeet Jarangal, Director, DPIIT, and Kaivalya Vohra, Co-founder of Zepto, in the presence of senior officials from both sides.

Dr. Jarangal called the initiative a prime example of public–private collaboration, aligning perfectly with national visions like Make in India and Viksit Bharat 2047, both of which aim to propel India into the ranks of advanced economies through innovation-led growth.

Zepto’s Take: Giving Back to the Ecosystem

For Zepto, one of India’s fastest-growing quick-commerce companies, the move signals a shift from being just a consumer-facing disruptor to also becoming an enabler of industry.

“At Zepto, giving back to the ecosystem is not just a responsibility—it’s a privilege,” said Kaivalya Vohra. “Through Zepto Nova, we aim to empower startups building the future of manufacturing and unlock scale, speed, and sustainability for India-first innovation.”

The DPIIT–Zepto partnership is not just about business—it's about building a self-reliant India, where domestic manufacturing startups don’t just survive but thrive in competitive global markets. By blending government-backed support with private-sector agility, the Zepto Nova program is set to create an innovation pipeline that could strengthen India’s position as a global startup hub.

If successful, it won’t just help 100 startups—it could change the playbook for how public and private players collaborate to unlock India’s next wave of manufacturing champions.