Maruti Suzuki Innovation

Choosing the right programme

• Very early-stage, with an idea you are still building: Nurture. Check its stage requirement on the programme page, because its pages differ.
• A technology startup whose solution fits the automobile or manufacturing sectors: Incubation. Check the stage range on the programme page first.
• A product that could be tested with Maruti Suzuki: the Accelerator, which can fund a proof of concept for selected startups.
• A mature startup ready to deploy its solution: the Mobility Challenge.
• A startup that has finished a paid proof of concept with Maruti Suzuki: the Innovation Fund, which takes minority stakes.

How to apply

• Nurture: apply on the IIM Calcutta Innovation Park website.
• Accelerator: apply online through the form on the Maruti Suzuki Innovation website. Shortlisted candidates are contacted when applications open for the next cohort.
• Incubation: applications are invited on the programme page. No intake window is stated.
• Mobility Challenge: follow the call for applications on the challenge page. Its timeline is marked tentative.
• Innovation Fund: the fund page gives no application form. Consideration follows a successful paid proof of concept.

How selection works

• Nurture: mentors and industry experts evaluate each application.
• Accelerator: proof-of-concept awards are made at the discretion of Maruti Suzuki's business units.
• Innovation Fund: only startups that have completed a paid proof of concept are considered.

Maruti Suzuki Innovation is the startup platform of Maruti Suzuki, built for startups working on mobility and automotive technology. It brings together four programmes and an investment fund, several of them delivered with partners: IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, NSRCEL at IIM Bangalore and T-Hub.

How the programmes work

Each programme has its own entry point. Nurture is for very early-stage startups and is run with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park. Incubation is a six-month programme run with NSRCEL, online and in person. The Accelerator is the platform's flagship, and selected startups can receive a proof of concept funded by Maruti Suzuki. The Mobility Challenge, run with T-Hub, is for mature startups ready to deploy their solutions. The Innovation Fund takes minority stakes in startups that have completed a paid proof of concept with Maruti Suzuki.

Who can apply

Nurture applicants must be citizens of India. Its pages then differ on who else qualifies. One says anyone offering services in India can apply, and another describes a focus on eastern, northeastern and central India. Its stage is also described two ways: one line asks for a ready prototype, while a programme fragment describes idea-stage startups.

Incubation is for technology-based startups whose solution can be applied to the automobile and manufacturing sectors. Its incubation page places it at the proof-of-concept to scale-up stage. The homepage and its FAQ point to earlier stages, from idea generation to seed.

The Accelerator is open to startups with technology for mobility and automotive use. The homepage describes early-stage and pre-Series A startups with an MVP or a few customers. The accelerator's FAQ notes that applicants should be past the MVP stage, with a few customers already using the product.

The Mobility Challenge is for established startups that have reached a mature stage. Its page says all entities with relevant solutions can apply. The Innovation Fund considers only startups that have completed a paid proof of concept with Maruti Suzuki successfully.

How selection works

Nurture applications are evaluated by mentors and industry experts. Accelerator proof-of-concept awards are made at the discretion of Maruti Suzuki's business units. The Innovation Fund considers a startup for investment only after a successful paid proof of concept.

What startups get

Nurture lists cash rewards among its benefits, and Grand Idea Hunt winners get a guided visit to Maruti Suzuki's manufacturing facility. Incubation is free to join, is fully sponsored by NSRCEL and Maruti Suzuki, and lists prizes among its benefits. The Accelerator funds a proof of concept for selected startups. The Mobility Challenge gives cash rewards to its winner and runners-up, and winners can explore a paid proof of concept with Maruti Suzuki. The Innovation Fund aims to provide funding, mentorship and access to Maruti Suzuki's expertise and resources.

Equity and fees

Nurture charges no participation fee. The Incubation, Accelerator and Mobility Challenge pages say they cost startups nothing. Incubation and the Accelerator state that Maruti Suzuki takes no equity from participating startups. The homepage's FAQ states that all programmes are equity-free, but the Innovation Fund page describes minority stake investments, so the fund is the exception.

Scale

The homepage shows counters that the provider reports about itself, and it does not date them. They read 250+ startups engaged, 7500+ startups evaluated, 38 onboarded as business partners and 90+ proofs of concept enabled. The Innovation Fund page says the fund has made three investments, and it names Ravity Software Solutions and Amlgo Labs.

Locations

Accelerator kickoffs take place in person at the Maruti Suzuki Innovation Gym. The third cohort of the Mobility Challenge ran as a full-day event at T-Hub. Incubation is delivered online and in person.

Who runs it

Maruti Suzuki runs the platform, including the Accelerator, the Mobility Challenge and the Innovation Fund. Incubation is run in collaboration with NSRCEL, and Nurture with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park.