DPIIT partners with Kotak Mahindra Bank, Primus Partners to strengthen Indian startup ecosystem

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has entered into separate Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Kotak Mahindra Bank and Primus Partners to bolster India’s startup and innovation landscape.

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The collaboration with Kotak Mahindra Bank seeks to provide financial and non-financial support to startups across the country.

The agreement establishes a comprehensive framework to help DPIIT-recognised startups access customised banking solutions, credit facilities, digital infrastructure, and mentorship opportunities.

Under the partnership, Kotak Mahindra Bank will offer a suite of dedicated products, including zero-balance current accounts, working capital and term loans, API-based banking platforms, digital payment solutions, and specialised startup cards. It will also facilitate investment advisory, incubation support, and networking platforms aimed at helping startups scale from ideation to growth.

The MoU with Primus Partners focuses on strengthening support for early- and growth-stage product startups through structured capacity-building programmes, expert mentorship, market access initiatives, policy awareness drives, and facilitation of technology integration.

“This collaboration reaffirms DPIIT’s commitment to fostering an innovation-led economy that thrives on creativity, technology, and enterprise,” said Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT. “By strengthening linkages between policy, industry, and innovation, we aim to create pathways that empower startups to drive sustainable growth, job creation, and India’s emergence as a global innovation powerhouse.”

Davinder Sandhu, Co-Founder and Chairman of Primus Partners, said the partnership would enable structured engagement with the startup community through mentoring, knowledge sharing, and industry linkages, contributing to a robust environment that nurtures entrepreneurship.

The initiatives align with DPIIT’s continued focus on enabling industry-driven engagement, promoting innovation, and fostering inclusive economic growth. As of October 22, the department said more than 60% of public grievances have been successfully resolved.