9AUGUST 2025DPIIT PARTNERS WITH ZEPTO TO MENTOR & FUND HARDWARE STARTUPSThe Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the four new semiconductor projects of India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).The projects bring the total to 10 projects in 6 states at a total investment of 1.60 lakh crore. The four new projects, by SiCSem, Continental Device India Private Limited (CDIL), 3D Glass Solutions Inc., and Advanced System in Package (ASIP) Technologies, will be around The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zepto Private Limited to help and scale early stage manufacturing startups through its `Zepto Nova' innovation challenge.4,600 crore, directly involving over 2,000 skilled jobs for workers and indirect opportunities.SiCSem, teaming up with Clas-SiC Wafer Fab Ltd. from the UK, will build India's first commercial Silicon Carbide semiconductor plant in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. It'll produce 60,000 wafers and 96 million units yearly, powering things like electric vehicles, defense equipment, railways, and solar inverters. Likewise, 3D Glass Solutions Inc. will set up a high-tech packaging and glass substrate facility in Bhubaneswar, using advanced tech to make 69,600 glass panels and 50 million units annually for defense, AI, and automotive industries.In Andhra Pradesh, ASIP, partnering with South Korea's APACT Co. Ltd., will churn out 96 million units a year for mobile phones, set-top boxes, and cars. Meanwhile, CDIL will expand its Mohali, Punjab, plant to produce 158.38 million high-power devices like MOSFETs and IGBTs for electric vehicles, renewable energy, and industrial uses.These projects, alongside India's growing chip design efforts--supported by 278 academic institutions and 72 startups--will strengthen the country's semiconductor industry. They'll help meet the rising demand for chips in telecom, automotive, and consumer electronics, pushing India closer to self-reliance. This collaboration seeks the funding and mentorship of startups through an intensive six month programme. It will provide mentorship to startups tackling technology across hardware, IoT, packaging and sustainable manufacturing, allowing startups to develop their technologies from prototype to market ready tech using Zepto's delivery and digital infrastructure. The collaboration will support startups through capacity building mentorship through expert-led workshops and Startup India support with a focus on women-led startups, and startups from Tier II/III cities. Additionally, Zepto will incorporate over 100 Indian startup into its supply chain giving them a platform to showcase products, gain access to the market, and grow.Speaking on occasion, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Shri Sanjiv stated that supporting unicorns is one of the most powerful methods of being an enabler for startups, and allowing them to gain insight from the experience of successful companies. He also said that it is not just an opportunity for unicorns, but a duty to support the ecosystem. It is also important to consider growth, and mentioned that access to market is a key enabling factor for startups. The MoU was signed by Director, DPIIT, Dr. Sumeet Jarangal, and Co-founder, Zepto, Shri Kaivalya Vohra. Co-founder, Zepto, Shri Kaivalya Vohra, stated that the partnership with DPIIT will help startups build the future of manufacturing with the Zepto Nova programme. UNION APPROVED SEMICONDUCTOR PROJECTS OF INDIA SEMICONDUCTOR MISSION
< Page 8 | Page 10 >