JLR launched its Open Innovation Hub in India on January 30, 2025, in Bangalore, aiming to collaborate with Indian startups on mobility and sustainability solutions. The event, co-hosted with Plug and Play Mobility, connected JLR with over 300 attendees from startups, industry, government, investors, and academia. JLR seeks to leverage India's tech talent to develop advancements in areas like AI, big data, IoT, and ADAS. The company aims to integrate these innovations into its next generation of vehicles.

JLR's Open Innovation program has already engaged with over 2,500 startups globally, leading to 33 formal collaborations. The Bangalore event marks a significant expansion of this program into the Indian market. JLR and Plug and Play aim to build a "globally connected community in India" to foster ongoing collaboration and innovation.

The event, held at the Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel, featured presentations from industry speakers and showcased several disruptive Indian startups. Attendees also participated in panel discussions focusing on automotive innovation, corporate and startup collaboration, and venture capital.

Highlights of the event

Three highlighted startups included e-TRNL Energy, Cynlr, and Swaayatt Robots. E-TRNL Energy focuses on developing next-generation lithium-ion battery systems with improved efficiency, storage, charging, and lifespan. Cynlr develops visual object intelligence for industrial robotic arms, enabling them to operate in unstructured environments. Swaayatt Robots works on autonomous driving technology for complex traffic situations in various environmental conditions.

Other startups present at the event included Oorja Energy, Swapp Design, HYD-GENRC LABs, Compredict, and RabBan Control Solutions. These companies represent a diverse range of technological advancements within the mobility sector.

“With a wealth of talent and skills in deep-tech solutions, India is a breeding ground for disruptive ideas in sustainability, electrification and connected technologies. That is why our Open Innovation program is here, and I was hugely inspired by the ideas and engagement in the room,” stated JLR’s Thomas Mueller, Executive Director, Product Engineering.

The event's speakers included Ravi Arora, Senior Vice President, Group Innovation at Tata Sons; Thomas Mueller, Executive Director, Product Engineering at JLR; Sobhan Khani, Partner at Plug and Play; and Michael Smeed, Managing Director at InMotion Ventures, JLR’s Corporate Venture Capital arm. They were joined by panelists from various automotive businesses and innovation leaders.

“We want to tap into India’s deep ecosystem for new mobility and sustainability solutions that help us deliver our next generation vehicles. This event was the perfect way to announce our intentions and meet a host of Indian startups to begin collaboration,” mentioned Lalitha Indrakanti, CEO at JLR Technology & Business Services India (TBSI), who led the event and a panel discussion.

JLR's innovation hub

The India Hub joins JLR's existing innovation hubs in the UK, US, Israel, and Brazil. The focus of the India Hub is deep tech, specifically artificial intelligence (AI), big data and analytics, internet of things (IoT), ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System), and sensors and devices. These technologies are crucial for developing advanced features in modern vehicles, including autonomous driving capabilities, improved safety systems, and enhanced connectivity. JLR's investment in these areas underscores the company's commitment to future mobility solutions.

“India’s dynamic startup ecosystem is a powerhouse of innovation, and this collaboration between Plug and Play and JLR’s Open Innovation Hub marks an exciting step forward. By connecting disruptive startups with global mobility leaders, we aim to accelerate groundbreaking solutions that will shape the future of mobility and sustainability,” stated by Sobhan Khani, Partner at Plug and Play.