The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Info Edge (India) Ltd. to support and scale startups in Tier II and Tier III cities across India. The partnership aims to bridge gaps in mentorship, funding access, and business infrastructure for early-stage founders who often lack the same resources as their urban counterparts.
The MoU was signed in the presence of DPIIT Joint Secretary Sanjiv Singh and Info Edge founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani. This public-private collaboration is part of the government’s broader Startup India mission, which has already recognized over 100,000 startups as part of its formal ecosystem. Info Edge, known for its flagship platforms like naukri.com, has built digital infrastructure that connects millions of Indians every day.
With the DPIIT partnership, this infrastructure will be reimagined to serve India’s next-gen entrepreneurs. Info Edge’s presence in 43 cities and 62 offices gives it on-ground knowledge that, paired with DPIIT’s policy framework, will help startups grow in places often left behind in the innovation conversation.
Supporting Indian startup growth
Sanjeev Bikhchandani, who built one of India’s first successful internet companies from scratch in the pre-Jio era, understands the importance of this shift. His experience and his company’s digital muscle could be pivotal for grassroots startup growth. Info Edge’s story is also one of international expansion, with naukrigulf.com operating across the Gulf region.
But while it expands outward, this partnership signals a recommitment to strengthening the roots at home. It’s a model of growth that balances scale with inclusion. The DPIIT-Info Edge alliance is about widening the circle of opportunity and ensuring that the next Zomato or Policybazaar could come from Muzaffarpur or Moradabad.
If successful, this initiative could become a template for other public-private models. When startups thrive, jobs are created, problems are solved, and economies grow from the bottom up. Partnerships like these are the scaffolding upon which India’s startup dream will rise.
