Sources: 
Maruti Suzuki, Indias largest car manufacturer, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) to launch a new startup platform aimed at fostering innovation and cross-border business opportunities between India and Japan.
The partnership will enable Indian startups to tap into Japans innovation ecosystem, while Japanese startups will gain access to Indias burgeoning market. This collaboration reflects a strategic effort to leverage the strengths of both countries startup environments.
Startups are key drivers of innovation and economic growth. We see great potential in Indian startups, and with this MoU with Jetro, we will be able to provide a platform for these promising startups to explore the Japanese business landscape, said Hisashi Takeuchi, MD and CEO of Maruti Suzuki.
JETRO, a Japanese government agency, traditionally focused on exports, now also facilitates foreign investments into Japan and supports small and medium enterprises in international expansion. Maruti Suzuki has a strong track record in innovation, having evaluated over 5,000 startups in the past six years through programs like Accelerator, Incubation, Mobility Challenge, and Nurture.
Over 150 startups have been engaged and 25 have become partners, contributing significantly to Maruti Suzukis operations. This new MoU with JETRO aims to build on that success by creating a bilateral platform that nurtures startup growth and innovation across both nations.
The initiative is expected to enhance bilateral trade and investment ties, while providing startups with valuable resources and market access to scale their innovations globally.
This collaboration underscores the growing importance of international partnerships in driving technological advancement and economic development in the startup sector.
Sources: Maruti Suzuki CEO Hisashi Takeuchi announced a new India-Japan startup platform under a MoU with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), aiming to foster innovation and business opportunities by connecting startups from both countries to each other's ecosystems.
