Johnson Controls-Hitachi and DPIIT are Teaming Up to Establish an Incubator for Startups

Nitin Konde, Varun Bhardwaj

Oct 9, 2024 — 3 min read

Johnson Controls-Hitachi and DPIIT Startup Incubator

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Ltd. have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build an incubator to assist businesses in Gujarat that are focused on manufacturing. In terms of Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India's dedication to fostering innovation and bolstering the nation's manufacturing environment, this is an important turning point.

The purpose of this Startup Incubator is to support technical innovation, sustainability, and energy efficiency by offering a strong platform to firms that are concentrated on particular manufacturing sectors. Under the direction of Sanjay Sudhakaran, Managing Director, Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited, India & South Asia Region, and Sumeet Jarangal, Director, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Memorandum of Understanding was formalised. The joint secretary of the DPIIT, Sanjiv, was also present during the signing-off ceremony.

According to Director of DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry Sumeet Jarangal, India is moving closer to a Viksit Bharat as a result of the Prime Minister's "design in India, design for the world" philosophy. With several programmes like the Make in India and Production-Linked Incentive Scheme, he continued, the Indian government is dedicated to growing the manufacturing sector. He underlined that developing an ecosystem of startups and an innovation pipeline are critical components of strengthening India's manufacturing sector.

He expressed optimism that the collaboration with Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Ltd. will give the nation's youthful innovators and entrepreneurs the much-needed support and direction.

Providing Mentorship and Guidance

The manufacturing entrepreneurs will receive mentorship and coaching on a range of crucial topics, from concept-to-prototype development, project viability evaluation, and go-to-market strategies, from the Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited incubator. In order to enable the commercialisation of unique items, the organisation will also assist clients in managing future financial demands in addition to other essential services like legal and intellectual property filing.

The Government of India and DPIIT deserve praise for their innovative idea and for offering this special platform that links entrepreneurs with the industry, opined Sanjay Sudhakaran, Managing Director of Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited in the India & South Asia Region. He stated that it's time for India to achieve a similar level of success in the manufacturing sector, having already demonstrated its inventiveness and entrepreneurial skill in the IT sector with many unicorns. He added that Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited has made significant investments in India to build top-notch R&D and production capabilities.

The Gujarat Connection

The Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited is supported by Japanese innovation, technology, and industry-leading experience. He underlined that the Global Development Centre and the production site in Kadi, Gujarat—one of the biggest air conditioner manufacturing facilities in India—are dedicated to providing Indian consumers with cutting-edge, high-end, and feature-rich air conditioning products.

The company is thrilled to work with DPIIT to establish a cutting-edge incubator at its Kadi, Gujarat, location, according to Sanjay Sudhakaran. This strategic partnership between Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Ltd. and DPIIT demonstrates the company's commitment to innovation in the manufacturing sector and is in line with the Indian government's goal of promoting industrial growth and technical advancement. Manufacturing-focused businesses would receive the critical support and mentoring needed to realise their ideas through this incubator.