Bharat Innovates Pre-Summit Showcases India’s Deep-Tech Strength, Says Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

Mumbai, March 22, 2026 -Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday highlighted India’s growing prominence in global innovation while addressing the concluding session of the Bharat Innovates Deep-Tech Pre-Summit at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay.

The minister emphasized that the Bharat Innovates initiative reflects the country’s steady evolution into a major global hub for research-driven innovation and entrepreneurship. The event served as a precursor to Bharat Innovates 2026, scheduled to take place in Nice, where India aims to present its technological advancements on an international platform.

During the pre-summit, nearly 175 investors and industry experts took part in a high-level roundtable chaired by the minister. Discussions centered on strengthening collaboration between academia and industry, expanding the startup ecosystem, and accelerating innovation in deep-tech sectors.

The minister interacted with innovators working across key areas such as clean energy, climate solutions, semiconductors, healthcare technology, biotechnology, mobility, advanced computing, and smart city development. He reviewed several research-led innovations showcased at exhibition stalls and institutional pavilions.

Reinforcing the importance of sustained investment, Pradhan noted that emerging ventures require long-term financial backing to scale effectively and bring research-based ideas to market. He stressed that innovation should not remain confined to laboratories but must translate into real-world applications.

Highlighting the broader vision, Pradhan stated that Bharat Innovates aims to take India’s research and development achievements to a global audience while fostering partnerships, unlocking investment avenues, and encouraging cross-border collaboration.

He added that India is well-positioned to develop scalable and affordable solutions not only for domestic needs but also for countries in the Global South. According to him, platforms like Bharat Innovates play a crucial role in bringing together talent, ideas, and resources to accelerate technological progress.

The closing session saw participation from prominent figures including K. Radhakrishnan, Vineet Joshi, Abhay Karandikar, and Shireesh Kedare.

The pre-summit brought together 137 selected deep-tech startups from a pool of over 1,100 applicants nationwide. Founders presented innovations spanning artificial intelligence, advanced materials, clean technologies, biotechnology, and next-generation manufacturing systems.

Startup pitching sessions attracted strong interest from venture capital firms and industry leaders, creating opportunities for funding, collaboration, and commercialization. The event also facilitated direct engagement between startups and investors, helping innovators explore pathways to scale their solutions globally.

The Bharat Innovates Deep-Tech Pre-Summit marked a significant step in aligning academia, policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs on a single platform. The selected startups are expected to represent India’s innovation ecosystem at the global showcase in France, further strengthening the country’s standing as a leader in technology-driven growth.

The government reiterated its commitment to building an enabling ecosystem through policy support, institutional partnerships, and investment in emerging technologies, with a focus on driving innovation-led development.