Key Events
BHARAT INNOVATES 2026
National Basecamps
DEC 2025 | IIT GANDHINAGAR
The first major convergence took place at National Basecamp I at IIT Gandhinagar in December 2025, where 353 deep-tech innovators pitched in front of more than 100 reviewers from academia, industry and investors. The Basecamp enabled peer learning, thematic mentoring and laid the foundation of the cohort that would eventually represent India at the global stage.
Deep-Tech Pre-Summit
MAR 2026 | IIT BOMBAY
The Deep-Tech Pre-Summit at IIT Bombay on 21–22 March 2026 was India’s national showcase before the global edition in Nice. It brought together 132 deep-tech innovators with 189 investors, 117 corporates and 11 Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)/ Indian Institute of Science (IISc)/Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) institutions, leading to more than 2,500 structured interactions.
Roadshow I
MAY 2026 | PARIS, FRANCE
Bharat Innovates undertook a series of targeted roadshows to build global visibility for India’s higher education-led deep-tech cohort. Paris Roadshow connected Bharat Innovates with 50+ key French stakeholders, including La French Tech, VivaTech, École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris (ESCP) and École supérieure des sciences économiques et commerciales (ESSEC). Seeded early investor and corporate interest ahead of the Nice showcase.
Roadshow II
MAY 2026 | TOKYO, JAPAN
High-value outreach to Japanese venture funds, Corporate Venture Capitalists and research ecosystems in microelectronics, clean energy and frontier technologies.
Investor Showcase
MAY 2026 | BENGALURU, INDIA
24 startups engaged with 90+ domestic and international investors managing approximately USD 80 billion in assets under management. The curated showcase gave selected startups direct access to the top capital providers.
Diplomatic Engagement
MAY 2026 | NEW DELHI, INDIA
Held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi. The engagement was presided by the then Union Minister of Education and attended by the Foreign Secretary of India. The interaction brought together Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Diplomats and officials from the Government of India to deliberate on opportunities for global collaboration through India’s rapidly growing innovation ecosystem.
CII Annual Business Summit
MAY 2026 | NEW DELHI, INDIA
At the CII Annual Business Summit, in the presence of the then Union Minister of Education, senior officers from the Ministry of Education articulated the vision and objectives of Bharat Innovates before leading Indian industry leaders, and highlighted Bharat Innovates as a strategic platform for industry to actively participate in India’s deep-tech scale-up journey through corporate partnerships, technology pilots, mentoring, market access, co-development and investment.
Indo-French Investment Conclave
MAY 2026 | BHOPAL, INDIA
An engagement with over 20 French companies expanded the programme’s industry outreach. The interaction created an opportunity to brief French companies on the Bharat Innovates platform and identify areas where Indian deep-tech startups could engage with industry needs.
Ministerial Round Table with French & Other European Corporates
MAY 2026 | NEW DELHI, INDIA
The Ministerial Roundtable with French corporates was chaired by the then Union Minister of Education to brief French corporate leaders in India on the Bharat Innovates platform and the opportunities emerging from India’s deep-tech cohort. The discussion invited French companies to explore sandboxes, paid proof-of-concepts, corporate innovation partnerships and technology adoption opportunities with Indian startups. It helped align the programme with priorities of the French industries and created a practical bridge between Indian innovation and European corporate demand.
Sanofi India Startup Interaction
MAY 2026 | NEW DELHI, INDIA
A curated wishlist meeting connected healthcare and life sciences startups with Sanofi India’s Managing Director and team. It enabled sector-specific feedback and pathways for collaboration and partnership.
Launch of Strategic Documents
JUN 2026 | NEW DELHI, INDIA
Ahead of the Nice showcase, the then Union Education Minister released the Bharat Innovates Startup Compendium, profiling the selected 120 deep-tech startups, and a companion publication showcasing 45 cutting-edge research projects from Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and other premier Higher Education Institutes. These publications presented the full depth of India’s research and innovation ecosystem to a global audience.
JUN 2026 | NICE, FRANCE
The maiden global showcase of Bharat Innovates was held in Nice, France, from 14–16 June 2026, under the India-France Year of Innovation. It brought together 120 curated deep-tech innovators and 45 research and innovation projects from 15 leading higher education institutions, connecting them with global investors, corporates, universities, research institutions and governments.
