TICE and DPIIT Join Forces to Make Startups Visible, Heard, and Funded

In a significant move to bridge the media and outreach gap in India’s startup ecosystem, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Clockwork Media Private Limited, the parent company of TICE News.

The MoU, signed today by Sumeet Jarangal, Director at Startup India (DPIIT), and Manoj Singh, Founder and Editor of TICE News, marks a first-of-its-kind partnership between the Government of India and a startup-led media house.

Media as a Missing Link in Startup India’s Growth Story

While India’s startup ecosystem has seen exponential growth, many early-stage ventures—particularly those from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities—continue to struggle with visibility, branding, and access to affordable media and PR support. The collaboration between DPIIT and TICE aims to fill this critical gap by leveraging media as a tool for empowerment.

“This is the first MoU that Startup India has signed with a startup-led media house. It will undoubtedly give new wings to entrepreneurs by enhancing their visibility and enabling better access to investors, markets, and policy support. Through this partnership, TICE will bridge a critical gap in the startup ecosystem by offering cost-effective media, branding, and outreach solutions—especially for early-stage startups from smaller cities. It will also help showcase the inspiring journeys of over 1,80,000 beneficiaries of the Startup India Mission and various government schemes, thereby fostering a stronger entrepreneurial mindset across the country,” said Sumeet Jarangal, Director, Startup India.

Unique Offerings: TICE’s Startup-Centric Approach

TICE (Talent, Ideas, Capital, Entrepreneurship) has carved a niche as a digital media platform exclusively focused on startups, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Unlike traditional media outlets, TICE provides tailored, affordable services for early-stage startups that often lack resources for marketing and PR.

Under the MoU, TICE will roll out several first-of-its-kind initiatives, including:

1. Entrepreneur Generated Content (EGC) Program

Part of the Startup Club of India initiative, this program will enable DPIIT-registered startups to create and publish their own content—ranging from video stories and blogs to product showcases and founder interviews. This bottom-up model empowers entrepreneurs to control their own brand narrative.

2. Affordable Video Production and Branding Solutions

Through TICE, Clockwork Media will provide cost-effective video production, digital promotion, and ad-film services, including explainer videos, investor pitch films, product showcases, and founder profiles—all at startup-friendly pricing.

3. Shepreneur Shakti

A platform to promote women entrepreneurs, featuring podcasts, video interviews, and success stories of women-led startups across India. This aligns with DPIIT’s focus on inclusive entrepreneurship.

4. Aavishkari Entrepreneur & Bharat Startup Grand Challenge Support

TICE will spotlight high-impact startups in sectors like DeepTech, CleanTech, AI, and Manufacturing through the Aavishkari Entrepreneur series, while supporting DPIIT’s Bharat Startup Grand Challenge via outreach, media coverage, and mentoring.

As part of this initiative, TICE Studios will offer affordable, high-quality video production and creative services tailored specifically for startups. From explainer videos and investor pitch films to branding content and founder stories, TICE Studios aims to help entrepreneurs amplify their narratives with greater impact and reach across digital platforms.

TICE’s Role Beyond Media: Events, Policy, and Ecosystem Building

Beyond content, TICE will organize startup-focused events, pitch sessions, educational programs, and workshops. A policy think tank under the Startup Club of India will also be launched to help startups navigate government schemes, funding policies, and compliance frameworks.

At Startup Mahakumbh 2025, where TICE was an official media partner, the platform engaged with hundreds of startups and identified a widespread need for structured PR, media, and branding support—a gap this MoU aims to address.

DPIIT’s Strategic Support

DPIIT will facilitate the partnership by authorizing selective use of its branding, providing access to its national network of incubators and startups, and promoting TICE-led initiatives through official PR channels, social media platforms, and participation in key startup events.

“This MoU allows us to amplify the voices of thousands of Indian startups—especially those from non-metro regions—who often remain unseen in mainstream narratives. Startups will now have greater access to media, PR, marketing, and video solutions at affordable prices. Beyond this, TICE envisions launching multiple verticals to empower startups, including entrepreneurial education, incubation, and accelerator programs that are distinct from existing models—futuristic, accessible, and designed with a global perspective. As India emerges as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, it needs a dedicated think tank to harness its full potential. Through the Startup Club of India initiative, and in close collaboration with DPIIT and State governments, we aim to build that platform and deliver meaningful impact,” said Manoj Singh, Founder, TICE News.

A Platform for Bharat’s Startups

TICE is committed to acting as a media enabler and storytelling platform for the beneficiaries of Startup India initiatives, government schemes, and policy measures that often go unnoticed by legacy media. With over 180,000 startups registered across India, TICE aims to showcase DPIIT’s impact and India’s entrepreneurial success stories through videos, feature stories, and digital campaigns.

TICE will also design special campaigns and ground events to bring together stakeholders—large and small—creating a forward-looking think tank for collaboration, innovation, and global partnerships.

With this partnership, TICE is poised to become India’s leading voice for startup storytelling and ecosystem advocacy—bridging gaps between entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and markets.

Over the next two years, initiatives under this MoU aim to make the Startup India ecosystem more accessible, visible, and inclusive—one story at a time.