<h1>Manufacturing group venture arm invests INR 3.5 crore in deep-tech startup, launches Pilot Before Pitch for real-world validation</h1> A corporate venture arm of a manufacturing group invested INR 3.5 crore in a deep-tech startup developing IoT/AI/AR/VR cloud solutions and announced an industry-first 'Pilot Before Pitch' program to enable pilot validation of startup technologies in real industrial settings. The transaction involves equity financing and a strategic collaboration granting the investor access to operational facilities for pilots, co-creation and scaling, and engagement with multiple venture funds, incubators and academic stakeholders. The initiative formalizes pathways for real-world validation, potential commercialization agreements, and industry-backed scaling mechanisms for early-stage deep-tech ventures.