Skoda Auto, Microsoft, Lumos Labs partner to curate enterprise blockchain solutions

Skoda Auto DigiLab India, the innovation hub of Pune-based Skoda Auto Volkswagen, has partnered with Microsoft India and Singapore-based innovation company Lumos Labs to launch an enterprise blockchain startup programme.

Dubbed the Microsoft Century Program, it looks to curate 100 enterprise-grade blockchain solutions for industry-specific use cases, a statement said. DigiLab India will serve as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for the programme, it said.

Read: Skoda Auto launches digital innovation hub in Pune 

The corporate-SME bridge programme will span over 18 months and offer selected startups opportunities to engage with industry experts and leverage the ecosystem of DigiLab India for business growth. 

“Through the programme, Skoda Auto DigiLab India will foster this ecosystem of innovation among startups and identify implementable solutions in the space of digital tools and mobility platforms,” Pranav Kulkarni, CIO of Skoda Auto Volkswagen, said. 

The blockchain programme, as per the statement, looks to find use cases in telecom, discrete manufacturing, healthcare, media and entertainment, oil and public sector, natural gas, and trade finance verticals. 

Additionally, Tech Mahindra has been signed on as the first integrator partner for DigiLab India in the area of discrete manufacturing, Raghu Mohan, CEO of Lumos Labs, said. Founded in 2018, Lumos Labs specialises in running technology open innovation programmes.

Read: Tech Mahindra to offer blockchain solutions to customers on AWS platform  

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India was formed in October last year through the merger of Volkswagen India, Skoda Auto India and Volkswagen Group Sales India. The combined entity oversees the operations of five brands -- Skoda Auto, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini. The Skoda Auto DigiLab in India is one of the four globally -- the company runs similar centres in Tel Aviv, Prague and Beijing.