Bangalore, August 20: In order to help start-ups working in technology-based innovations that can be applied in the mobility sector, Maruti Suzuki on Thursday announced a partnership with the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM-B).

Commenting on the tie-up, Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director and CEO of Maruti Suzuki, said, "The mobility startup incubation programme addresses the needs of early-stage startups which have the potential of becoming large-scale businesses."

According to an ANI report, this collaboration marks the first-of-its-kind initiative by an automobile manufacturing company to help early-stage startups become large scale businesses. In addition to this, the country's biggest carmaker Maruti is hopeful that the collaboration with IIMB will help in the creation of jobs.

Under the partnership, early-stage startups will get incubation support and a chance for potential partnership with Maruti Suzuki to fast-track the growth of their venture. The programme will select professionals who have technology in digital, data and AI/ML in the fields of autonomous mobility, shared mobility, mobility solution for rural, connected cars, vehicle diagnostic, vehicle safety, advanced driver-assist system, supply chain management, blockchain, data security, warehousing, finance, advertisement and loyalty programme.

A mobility and automobile innovation lab was launched by Maruti in January last year to co-create innovative business solutions in the mobility space.