The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has entered into tie-ups with ITC Limited, one of India’s leading diversified conglomerates and APNA , a jobs and professional networking platform, to promote entrepreneurship and innovation and enhance talent acquisition for DPIIT-registered startups, respectively.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ITC sets the tone for a dynamic partnership where the conglomerate’s vast experience and expertise with extensive market network will complement DPIIT’s initiative for supporting startups across the country.

The partnership aims to address hiring challenges and create job opportunities for young individuals while strengthening the startup ecosystem.

Highlighting this pro- startup initiative, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Mr. Sanjiv said it aligns closely with the Government of India’s flagship programs, including Startup India, Make in India, and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Moreover, it is also a key step in contributing to Vision 2047 by promoting inclusive and sustainable growth through innovation-led entrepreneurship.

“We look forward to foster scalable solutions and transformative growth to ensure conducive environment for startups. By navigating resource constraints more effectively, startups will gain access to a vast pool of skilled workers, connecting millions of young jobseekers to high-growth and innovative roles,” he said.

The Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry (BHASKAR), a digital platform for startup stakeholders, will play a key role in this collaboration. Startups registered on the BHASKAR platform will receive hiring credits worth Rs 2,000 each on Apna’s platform.

He highlighted that the initiative, currently valued at Rs 140 crore, is expected to grow alongside the startup ecosystem, with projections reaching Rs 300 crore.