The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, signed Memoranda of Understanding with PhonePe and Shell India Pvt. Ltd. on August 19, 2026 to strengthen support for DPIIT-recognised startups and promote innovation across key sectors of the economy.
The partnership with PhonePe will provide DPIIT-recognised startups with transaction credits through its Payment Gateway, access to the Indus AppStore, dedicated onboarding and support services, opportunities for enhanced brand visibility, and regular masterclasses and webinars on topics including fintech, sales, go-to-market strategies, and business scaling.
The MoU with Shell India focuses specifically on startups operating in the energy and climate-tech sectors. Shell India will provide mentorship, strategic guidance, investor and incubator connections, and opportunities to participate in the Shell E4 Smart Energy Track. Additionally, this collaboration will promote knowledge-sharing through the preparation of sectoral success stories, white papers, policy briefs, industry landscape reports, and case studies highlighting emerging innovations and best practices.
These partnerships are collectively aimed at enhancing access to technology, digital infrastructure, mentorship, market opportunities, and industry networks while fostering a robust, inclusive, and self-reliant startup ecosystem in India. The initiatives are expected to help startups access growth opportunities, scale innovative solutions, contribute to India's clean energy transition, and drive economic growth and technological advancement.