Stairs Pvt Ltd, AITMC Ventures Ltd (AVPL), and Victory Electric Vehicles International Ltd announced a strategic partnership to build a nationwide, franchise-led ecosystem focused on electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, skilling, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship. The collaboration establishes a structured and exploratory framework to evaluate large-scale EV skilling, infrastructure deployment, and employment-linked entrepreneurship initiatives across India. The partnership brings together Startup Stairs’ incubation and ecosystem-building platform, AVPL’s skilling and infrastructure footprint, and Victory International’s EV technology and manufacturing expertise.

Strengthening EV Skilling Through ITIs and Centers of Excellence

As part of the initiative, the partners will evaluate the establishment of EV-focused training centers across approximately 70 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and allied facilities nationwide. The objective is to equip youth and technicians with industry-aligned EV service, maintenance, and charging infrastructure skills.

AVPL will provide access to its existing and upcoming Centers of Excellence across states to support large-scale skilling delivery, while aligning training programs with practical industry requirements. Pilot and proof-of-concept programs will be rolled out in phases to assess scalability and regional demand.

Skill-to-Income Pathways Through Franchise Enablement

A core pillar of the partnership is to ensure that skilling translates into tangible livelihood outcomes. Upon successful completion of EV training programs, candidates will be evaluated for participation in a structured franchise-led ecosystem designed to promote self-employment and first-generation entrepreneurship.

The proposed franchise formats are being evaluated at INR 5 lakh and INR 10 lakh investment levels, enabling trained individuals to establish EV charging centers, EV dealer service centers, and EV dealerships. This integrated model is aimed at creating a clear pathway from training to income generation, addressing workforce readiness and unemployment within the rapidly expanding EV sector.

Domestic Manufacturing at AVPL Future Tech Park

Manufacturing of EV AC/DC chargers, batteries, and allied components will be undertaken in phases at AVPL’s Future Tech Park in Sisai, Hisar. The facility will anchor domestic production capabilities aligned with the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision while supporting the deployment of franchise-led EV infrastructure across multiple regions.

Victory International will lead the technical design, manufacturing setup, quality systems, and franchise operations in line with applicable regulatory norms. Startup Stairs will support ecosystem structuring, institutional coordination, and entrepreneur onboarding.

Dr Preet Sandhu, Founder and Managing Director, AVPL, reflecting on this partnership, said, “At AVPL, we believe skilling must translate directly into employment and entrepreneurship aligned with real industry demand. Having built strong capabilities in drone skilling and infrastructure, we are now expanding this vision into the EV and battery sectors. Through Startup Stairs, we aim to create structured skill-to-income pathways that enable youth and innovators to build sustainable ventures in EV charging and allied infrastructure. This partnership strengthens our commitment to developing future-ready talent while supporting India’s clean energy and Aatmanirbhar Bharat goals.”

Phased Rollout and Implementation Framework

The collaboration will be implemented in phases, beginning with pilot programs, institutional alignment, and franchise onboarding in selected regions. All infrastructure deployment, commercial arrangements, and operational activities will be subject to separate definitive agreements and regulatory approvals, in line with the structured MoU framework.

Sanjay Poply, Managing Director, Victory Electric Vehicles International Ltd, also added, “Skill development must lead to tangible economic outcomes. Through this collaboration, we are focused on building a job-ready EV workforce trained in service, maintenance, and charging infrastructure, while also enabling entrepreneurship through structured franchise models. By integrating ITI-based training with real business opportunities, we aim to accelerate India’s electric mobility transition and create sustainable livelihood pathways at scale.”

The collaboration will be rolled out in phases, with pilot programs, franchise onboarding, and manufacturing activities expected to commence in the coming months, subject to definitive agreements and regulatory approvals.

For more information: www.avplinternational.com, www.victoryevindia.com