Honda Launch Startup Co-Development Program (Press Release) | V3Cars

Here’s what Honda Digital Innovation India have to say about the initiative:

Honda Digital Innovation India (HDII) and T-Hub, the World’s largest home for startups, announced the official launch of Honda Innovation Challenge 1.0, India's first Honda-backed startup co-development program. The program marks a significant milestone in Honda's deepening commitment to the Indian market, bringing together four high-potential Indian startups to co-develop real solutions for Honda's vehicles and customers.

The launch event, held at T-Hub's Phase 2 campus in Hyderabad, brought together Honda's senior leadership, investors, mobility founders, industry stakeholders, and the broader startup ecosystem.

A New Chapter for Honda in India

The launch comes on the heels of Honda's announcement of Honda Digital Innovation India, a dedicated innovation entity built specifically for the Indian market. Toshiaki Tanaka, COO of HDII and Takuro Yoshimura, General Manager of HDII in their remarks outlined HDII's founding ethos, built on three pillars of Experience, Connection, and Innovation.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Kunal Behl, Director, Honda Digital Innovation India and also Vice President - Marketing and Sales, Honda Cars India Limited said:

 

“At Honda, we believe the future of mobility will be shaped through collaboration with bold thinkers and agile start-ups. The Honda Innovation Challenge is an opportunity to co-create real world solutions that enhance customer experience. We are excited to engage with start-ups that bring fresh ideas, digital capabilities and disruptive thinking to create impactful use cases for Honda.”

Mr Kunal Behl handed each of the four selected startups a co-development cheque of up to INR 10 lakh.

Each startup will co-develop and validate their solution for Honda's real vehicles, real Indian roads, and real data, over the next 60 days. The program culminates in a Demo Day on 31 July 2026.

From 300+ Applications to 4: The Cohort Curation Story

Honda Innovation Challenge 1.0 received over 300 applications from startups across India and beyond, spanning six use cases. Every application was carefully evaluated on technology maturity, India-market fit, and the ability to deliver a working Proof of Concept within 60 days. 25 were shortlisted and pitched directly to Honda's global teams across three pitch days. Four were selected!

The four cohort startups are: XANE AI, Attento Technologies, AppTestify and Sensight Technologies (AutoWiz). The evening closed with a panel discussion on How Startup-Corporate Collaboration is Transforming Indian Mobility, moderated by Sudhanshu Chaturvedi, Vice President Innovation, T-Hub. Panelists included Gopinath Raja, Head of Innovation at Honda Digital Innovation India, and T-Hub alum, Srikanth Reddy, Founder of Hala Mobility.

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