New Delhi: Michelin, a global leader in tyre technology, has teamed up with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to launch the sector’s first AI Startup Challenge. The initiative seeks to promote innovation and entrepreneurship within India’s AI landscape. The challenge, announced in the presence of various DPIIT officials, aims to select, mentor, and collaborate with leading AI startups in India over a 12-week period, offering mentorship, paid pilot projects, and potential long-term global contracts with Michelin.The launch event featured Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary DPIIT, and Shri Sumeet Kumar Jarangal, Director DPIIT, and was hosted by Dr Ambica Rajagopal, Michelin Group Chief Data and AI Officer, and Shri Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India. A recorded address was also given by Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary DPIIT.
The AI Startup Challenge, hosted on the Startup India portal, invites AI startups to demonstrate their capabilities. Selected startups will receive mentorship, with the top eight pitching their ideas at a demo day in Delhi in September 2024. The top three startups will undertake paid pilot projects from Michelin, with funding of up to INR 5 lakh per project, and the possibility of long-term global contracts and incubation support from Michelin’s leadership. The challenge will encourage Indian startups to develop solutions in manufacturing, supply chain, operating software, and infrastructure.
Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, DPIIT, encouraged participation by saying, “Michelin and Startup India, through the AI Challenge, invite Indian startups to co-build technical solutions using large language models for business use cases. The Michelin AI Startup Challenge offers opportunities to develop solutions in manufacturing, supply chain, operating software, and infrastructure, leveraging AI and robotics to enhance manufacturing processes, improve product quality, boost safety, and reduce defects. This initiative aims to create sustainable products and expose Indian talent to global contexts and clients. I encourage all DPIIT-recognized startups to apply for the program and wish them the best.”Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships and highlighted Michelin’s crucial role in elevating India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. He asserted the Department’s commitment to empowering startups to scale their innovations globally.
Shri Sumeet Kumar Jarangal, Director, DPIIT, stressed the significance of AI and the government’s focus on advanced manufacturing and automation. He congratulated Michelin for aligning the program with the nation’s vision.
Dr Ambica Rajagopal, Michelin Group Chief Data and AI Officer at Michelin India, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “There has never been a more exciting time for startups in the AI world, and we are delighted to contribute significantly to advancing India’s technology sector. It is a proud moment for us to strengthen our commitment to the AI industry in collaboration with the government’s visionary Startup India initiative.”
Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, commented, “At Michelin, we are committed to a greener future where sustainability and innovation are at the forefront of our efforts. We eagerly anticipate the participation of Indian startups in the AI challenge as we co-build global solutions together.”
The initiative will be conducted in multiple stages, starting with outreach and applications in July 2024, followed by shortlisting and mentorship until September 2024. The grand finale will see shortlisted startups presenting their solutions to a panel of judges from Startup India and Michelin India.
DPIIT has been proactive in mobilizing startups in the manufacturing sector, providing early-stage support essential for their growth. The Department is building initiatives to bridge the gap between industry and startups by supporting the establishment of incubators and industry-led incubation programs. These initiatives aim to empower manufacturing startups with innovative technologies and sustainable practices, positioning them as leaders in the global market through industry-supported incubation.
This AI challenge is part of Michelin’s broader innovation program in India, aimed at fostering collaboration with local startups in areas such as digitalization, commercialization, mobility, advanced materials, and sustainability.
The collaboration between DPIIT and Michelin India is a significant catalyst, providing manufacturing startups a platform to pilot and refine their technologies, thereby encouraging larger participation in the manufacturing ecosystem. This partnership also aims to further establish India as a manufacturing hub through strong public-private sector collaboration.