• DPIIT and Brandworks sign MoU to boost electronics innovation and support hardware startups through the Brandworks Innovation Research Foundation (BIRF).
• BIRF to launch a deep-tech incubation program starting with 15 startups in 2025–26, scaling to 200+ in five years.
• Startups to get access to advanced R&D labs, certification support, IP mentorship, and global market linkages to turn ideas into market-ready electronics products.

Taking India towards enhancing its innovative capabilities in electronics, Brandworks Technologies, via its new endeavor, the Brandworks Innovation Research Foundation (BIRF), has executed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The MoU was executed in Vanijya Bhawan to facilitate product-oriented startups, MSMEs, and entrepreneurs and support India's vision of becoming a major player in global electronics production.

This partnership is the result of ongoing talks between DPIIT's Startup India initiative and Brandworks. Brandworks, a homegrown electronics firm of local origin, has evolved to become a well-known industry leader. Commenting on the tie-up, Brandworks Founder and CEO Ishwar Kumhar said, "We have experienced the same troubles many startups today are going through, flawed prototypes, supply chain disasters, and scaling issues. This positions us well to assist others through the journey".

According to the arrangement, DPIIT will grant access to its national startup ecosystem, program membership opportunities, and co-branding assistance through Startup India. For this, Brandworks will provide technical infrastructure, industry-specific mentoring, and capital assistance to enable startups to progress from idea to market-ready products. Sanjiv Singh, IRS, Joint Secretary at DPIIT, mentioned, "This partnership is in line with our efforts to foster globally competitive electronics products based on Indian ingenuity".

As part of its partnership with DPIIT, Brandworks Innovation Research Foundation (BIRF) is instituting an effective support system for early-stage hardware startups. One of the unique aspects of this initiative is the exposure to Brandworks' world-class manufacturing and R&D facilities. Startups get to leverage advanced prototyping labs capable of 3D printing, modular PCB assembly, and in-depth component testing. Furthermore, dedicated tools will aid investigations in leading-edge fields like Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology, IoT firmware, and material sciences.

To fuel long-term growth, BIRF is launching a formal incubation program. The program will start in the first year (2025–26) with 15 startups and scale up to more than 200 in three to five years. The program will focus mainly on ventures in electronics hardware, intelligent communication systems, IoT solutions, and AI-enabled devices, setting the stage for a new wave of Indian technology businesses.

Startups accepted into the program will also be provided with strategic mentorship from industry experts in key areas. This will involve assistance in developing intellectual property portfolios, creating affordable product strategies, complying with export requirements, and accessing global markets. The guidance will be customized to assist innovators in developing working prototypes into commercially successful products.

To further simplify the path to market, BIRF will support startups in obtaining essential industry certifications like CE, UL, BIS, and RoHS. Startups will also have the advantage of access to pre-certified modules and surface-mount technology (SMT) lines, facilitating easy scaling of production without sacrificing quality or regulatory adherence. This holistic framework is envisioned to assist hardware startups in overcoming typical roadblocks and propel their transition from lab to market.

Despite a $91 billion electronics market, domestic innovation in core technologies, especially semiconductors and specialized components, lags behind. This partnership aims to close that gap. “Most hardware startups don’t make it to production. We’re bringing hard-won experience to change that outcome”, Kumhar said.

This program is in line with India's Production Linked Incentive (PLI) programs and global supply chain realignment, providing a timely chance to develop local innovation and manufacturing capabilities. In the future, Brandworks and DPIIT plan to create long-term supply chains and facilitate high-impact product innovation, making India a global electronics innovation hub.