The India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA) has announced that it has signed an agreement with boAt as the “industry partner” for the Centre of Excellence based on Li-ion products (Post Cell) at CDAC, Noida. boAt recently raised Rs. 500 crore from a Warburg Pincus affiliate.
This will improve the electronics industry’s competitiveness and growth by closely collaborating with key stakeholders, including the central and state governments, to build a robust electronics industry with global acclaim and an innovative market environment for the country.
This CoE is proposed for three years, with the goal of achieving self-sufficiency during the project’s duration. Products (such as the neckband, Bluetooth speakers, power banks, and power adapters) would be designed in this COE by the company and other industry R&D partners.
boAt will work with ecosystem partners, EMS partners, vendors, component suppliers, and distributors in India to design, develop, and test the products listed.
ICEA says that it makes sure that component and sub-assembly manufacturers support and take part in the CoE. Without them, product development would not be complete.
The Center of Excellence is a facility instilled to offer the design and development of mobile add-on products, as well as testing and consultancy services, for the growth and development of the industry (including MSMEs) in Uttar Pradesh and other states in India.
ICEA Chairman Pankaj Mohindroo stated:
Currently, due to a lack of design capabilities, India is losing valuable foreign exchange to international design hubs in other countries and in turn, it perpetuates imports too. This CoE is expected to further add additional 40-50k Cr. to the Indian economy by 2025. Analyzing the above and to make India self-reliant in the Lithium-Ion battery products segment, a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Mobile Add on products (Bluetooth Speaker, Power Bank, Power Adaptors, and related portfolio etc. based on Li-ion power) was proposed by ICEA, which is set-up and functional at CDAC Noida, in collaboration with MeitY and UP Government.
According to Ramashish Ray, CEO of the Centre of Excellence, :
This CoE aims to set up a design hub for MSMEs and other Indian mobile handset and accessories eco-system products. We aim to establish an MSME cluster and promote sustainable employment growth by enhancing the industry’s design and R&D capabilities.
Sameer Mehta, co-founder and Chief Product Officer at boAt’s parent company, Imagine Marketing Limited, said:
The Indian electronics industry is currently highly dependent on the import of technology and core components such as chips and processors. boAt aims to achieve self-reliance in product innovation and hence reduce the dependency on the import of various products. Through the Centre of Excellence partnership, boAt will provide technical and product mentoring as well as expert advice on products based on Li-ion cells. This will be a small, yet significant step in nurturing future national champions aligning with Hon PM’s vision to a reduced foreign exchange outgo and employment generation in India.
