Hyderabad, September 02, 2025 – In a significant move to accelerate innovation in the mobility and deep-tech sectors, DLabs at the Indian School of Business (ISB) has partnered with Maruti Suzuki Innovation to launch the FundRays Investment Readiness Programme. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between promising startups and investors, equipping entrepreneurs with essential skills and networks to scale their ventures. The programme, which kicked off recently, features 15 high-potential startups selected from Maruti Suzuki’s Innovation Alumni network through a rigorous evaluation by an expert committee.
The FundRays programme is structured as a comprehensive accelerator, spanning several months with a focus on hands-on development. Key components include structured workshops on financial modelling, negotiations, scaling strategies, and sustainable business practices; personalised mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs, investors, and domain experts; direct access to venture capital firms, angel networks, and corporate investors; and a culminating Demo Day where participants pitch to a curated panel of investors and ecosystem enablers. Throughout the programme, startups will participate in masterclasses, one-on-one mentoring sessions, pitch clinics, and networking opportunities to refine their business models and enhance their investment propositions.
The participating startups, all rooted in indigenous deep-tech innovations, include DaveAI (AI-powered customer experiences), Amlgo Labs (data and GenAI solutions), Automaxis (Web3 and AI for supply chains), Defect Scanner (AI for manufacturing quality), Enmovil (AI logistics platform), eShipz (smart logistics management), Hala Mobility (last-mile delivery solutions), Pushpak AI (AI video analytics), Rezo AI (CX AI platform), Xane AI (AI interfaces for products), RoadBounce (road infrastructure analytics), Ravity (connected vehicle platform), OnlyGood (AI carbon tracking), Metadome.ai (XR and AI for car buying), and Yeppar (VR/MR/AI for training and simulation). While specific eligibility criteria beyond alumni status and evaluation are not detailed, the selection emphasises high-growth potential in mobility-related technologies.
Mr. Saumya Kumar, CEO of DLabs and Director of ISB I-Venture, highlighted the programme’s impact: “At DLabs, our mission is to equip entrepreneurs not only with skills but also with the strategic networks required to scale. Partnering with Maruti Suzuki enables us to deliver a high-impact programme combining hands-on learning with real investor engagement.”
Maruti Suzuki India Limited, the driving force behind this collaboration, is India’s leading automaker, with a dominant market share in passenger vehicles, particularly in the small car segment. Founded in 1981 as Maruti Udyog Limited by the Government of India, the company has achieved remarkable milestones, including producing over 2 million vehicles in a single year in 2024—the first Indian automaker to do so—and contributing nearly 40% of the country’s passenger vehicle exports. With cumulative sales exceeding 25 million units in India, Maruti Suzuki has garnered accolades such as Indian Car of the Year and Manufacturer of the Year, underscoring its significant contribution to the “Make in India” initiative. The company’s exports, including models such as the Jimny Nomad and Fronx, assembled in India, have even positioned Suzuki as a top importer in Japan.
Maruti Suzuki’s commitment to innovation extends beyond manufacturing, with a strong track record in nurturing startups through its Maruti Suzuki Innovation Lab (MAIL) initiative. Over the past six years, the company has screened more than 5,220 startups, engaged with around 150, and onboarded 28 as business partners. Notable investments include a 6.44% stake in AI startup Amlgo Labs for approximately Rs 1.99 crore in 2024, and earlier funding in Sociograph Solutions, specialising in artificial intelligence. Maruti has also run accelerator cohorts, recently announcing nine winners, including Indian firms like Frinks AI and mistEO, and signed an MoU with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to support auto and mobility startups. These efforts have supported over 3,000 startups, fostering automotive innovation and integrating cutting-edge technologies into the industry.
On the academic side, ISB’s DLabs serves as a state-of-the-art incubator, fostering entrepreneurship by providing startups with collaborative spaces, mentorship, and resources to interact with investors and academia. Through its I-Venture arm, ISB has incubated over 250 startups, offering “start-to-scale” support via multidisciplinary programs that Bridge capital, strategy, and innovation. DLabs integrates startups into growth ecosystems through initiatives like the 50-day equity-free “Build for Billions” accelerator, launched in collaboration with Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) and Union Bank, which focuses on financial inclusion for gig workers and the informal economy. Successful ventures include alums like Sensor (improving farmers’ lives through tech) and global corridor programs connecting Indian startups with UK ecosystems. These efforts have positioned ISB as a key player in India’s startup landscape, administering incubators that convert ideas into scalable entrepreneurial ventures.
The collaboration between industry giants like Maruti Suzuki and educational institutions like ISB exemplifies the growing importance of industry-academia partnerships in India’s startup ecosystem. Such alliances Bridge the divide between theoretical knowledge and practical application, driving innovation, economic growth, and the translation of research into societal benefits. By providing end-to-end support—from ideation and incubation to funding and scaling—these partnerships address critical gaps, such as skill development and market access, enabling startups to thrive in competitive environments. This holistic “A to Z” approach not only fosters entrepreneurial education but also enhances research commercialisation, contributing to India’s ranking as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally with over 100 unicorns.
Similar initiatives have demonstrated positive impacts across India. For instance, the government’s Start-Up India scheme, launched in 2016, has spurred entrepreneurship through tax incentives, funding, and ecosystem building, leading to widespread innovation and job creation. Another example is the EY-highlighted collaborations in higher education, such as those between IITs and industries, which have strengthened research ecosystems and generated profitable outcomes. Programs like T-Hub in Hyderabad, backed by government and corporate partners, have incubated thousands of startups, mirroring FundRays’ model and underscoring how such synergies propel sustainable growth in the sector. As India’s startup landscape continues to evolve, partnerships like FundRays are poised to play a pivotal role in nurturing the next wave of innovators.
