T-Hub and Honda Partner to Launch Innovation Challenge 2.0 With Rs 4.8 Crore Fund

Hyderabad's startup incubator T-Hub has partnered with Honda Digital Innovation India (HDII) to launch the Honda Innovation Challenge 2.0, an initiative designed to co-build digital mobility and customer experience solutions with Indian startups.

Building upon the initial Honda Innovation Challenge 1.0, the newly expanded partnership will run as a year-long programme featuring three distinct challenges with a total funding pool of up to Rs 4.8 crore.

Under the framework of the programme, each of the three challenges will select four startups. The chosen companies will be eligible to receive funding of up to Rs 40 lakh each to create proof-of-concept (PoC) projects alongside Honda teams.

Selected startup teams will collaborate directly with Honda’s engineering and business units throughout a 12-week development sprint. During this period, participants will work on applications targeting real-world mobility challenges and customer experience improvements. Successful proof-of-concept projects will have the opportunity to advance to pilot phases and may potentially be integrated into Honda’s commercial products and services.

Toshiyuki Yanagisawa, Chief Executive Officer of Honda Digital Innovation India, stated that the organisation's mission is to explore and deliver new forms of value to enhance people's lives. Kavikrut, Chief Executive Officer of T-Hub, noted that the automotive sector is an early adopter of technology, adding that the partnership with Honda provides a platform to build technological solutions in India and scale them globally.