Bharat Innovates 2026 concluded in Nice with PM Modi and President Macron inaugurating event, 120 Indian innovators showcasing deep tech, 30+ MoUs signed forging India–Europe innovation corridors, and Narayana Murthy emphasizing HEIs’ role in shaping value-led founders.
Prime Minister Modi and President Macron Inaugurate Bharat Innovates 2026
Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurated the maiden edition of Bharat Innovates 2026 at the Palais des Expositions de Nice, France yesterday. An initiative of the Government of India implemented by the Ministry of Education, this high-impact event served as a premier platform for advancing innovation-led partnerships between India’s deep tech innovators and global stakeholders. The inauguration marked a historic moment in India-Europe technological cooperation, demonstrating both nations’ commitment to fostering deep-tech innovation through structured collaboration.
The event brought together global investors, innovators, and academia in a unified forum dedicated to advancing technology partnership. Leaders from India and France recognized that deep-tech innovation requires international collaboration, shared research infrastructure, and cross-border investment flows to achieve breakthrough outcomes.
Event Showcase Highlights India’s Rapidly Growing Deep Tech Ecosystem
Bharat Innovates 2026 showcased India’s Deep Tech Ecosystem, highlighting India’s rapidly growing innovation ecosystem by displaying 120 Indian innovators, 15+ Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), and over 500 global stakeholders, including global CEOs, industry leaders, and leading venture capital firms. The event spotlights advancements across 13 key sectors, including advanced computing, semiconductors, space technology, biotechnology, energy, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Indian innovators demonstrated cutting-edge technologies ranging from quantum computing algorithms to space-grade satellite components, from AI-powered diagnostic tools to sustainable energy solutions. The showcase also proved that India has developed world-class deep-tech capabilities capable of competing globally. European stakeholders expressed strong interest in partnering with Indian innovators for technology development, market access, and joint commercialization.
Narayana Murthy Emphasizes Academic Institutions’ Critical Role in Creating Technology Leaders
The first day of Bharat Innovates 2026 featured a rich programme of keynote addresses, strategic dialogues, and global industry discussions focused on strengthening international innovation corridors and deep-tech partnerships. The afternoon commenced with an opening keynote by Founder of Infosys, Shri N. R. Narayana Murthy, who emphasized the role of academic institutions in creating globally competitive technology enterprises.
Drawing from the Infosys journey from an idea built with USD 250 to a globally respected technology institution, he underscored that enduring enterprises are built through complementary talent, shared values, disciplined innovation, transparent governance, and trust. He further highlighted that higher education and research institutions have a critical role in shaping value-led founders and technology leaders who can convert knowledge into innovation, innovation into enterprise, and enterprise into long-term societal impact.
Narayana Murthy’s message resonated deeply with the audience, as he articulated how academic institutions serve as the foundation for technology entrepreneurship. He emphasized that universities must go beyond teaching technical skills to instill ethical values, Foster collaborative mindsets, and develop leadership capabilities that enable students to build sustainable enterprises.
Over 30 Partnerships Signed Strengthening India-Europe Innovation Collaboration
A major highlight of the event was the signing of over 30 partnerships including innovation-focused Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and joint declarations aimed at strengthening collaboration between Indian and global innovation ecosystems. These include 12 agreements between Indian Higher Education Institutions and incubators and French/global incubators to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, research collaboration, and startup support.
Sixteen agreements with leading global corporations facilitate technology development, commercialization, and market access for Indian innovators. These corporate partnerships also provide Indian startups with access to international markets, distribution networks, and industry expertise necessary for scaling their technologies globally.
13 French Universities Partner with 11 Indian IITs and IISc for Academic Collaboration
Additionally, 13 French universities signed partnership agreements with 11 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to enhance cooperation in student exchanges, joint research, innovation support, academic collaboration, and talent development. These agreements establish formal frameworks for undergraduate and graduate students to study at partner institutions, researchers to conduct joint projects, and faculty to share teaching resources.
The partnerships will enable thousands of students to gain international exposure, access cutting-edge research facilities, and develop cross-cultural competencies essential for global technology careers. Joint research programs will also address shared challenges in climate technology, healthcare innovation, and sustainable manufacturing, leveraging complementary expertise from Indian and French institutions.
India-France ATL Bridge Sets Up First School Innovation Lab in France
Further, the India-France ATL Bridge, established by Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, and La Foundation Dassault Systèmes, will extend India’s Atal Tinkering Lab framework to France by setting up the first School Innovation Lab in France and enabling collaboration among young innovators from both countries. This initiative brings India’s successful model of fostering innovation among school-age children to the French education system.
The School Innovation Lab will provide French students with hands-on experience in robotics, 3D printing, and other emerging technologies. Indian and French students will collaborate on joint projects, sharing ideas and developing solutions to global challenges. This youth-level collaboration also builds long-term relationships between the two nations’ innovation ecosystems.
AI for Global Good Panel Calls for Trusted and Inclusive AI Corridor
A panel discussion on “AI for Global Good: Building a Corridor for Trusted, Inclusive and Scalable AI” brought together leading voices from industry, investment, and research institutions to explore collaborative approaches to responsible artificial intelligence and sovereign technology development. The discussion explored how India and Europe can jointly develop AI systems that respect human rights, ensure data privacy, and prevent algorithmic bias.
At the Bharat Innovates 2026 plenary session on “AI for Global Good,” industry and policy leaders from India and France called for the creation of a trusted, inclusive, and scalable AI corridor. The discussion highlighted India’s strengths in affordable, localized AI solutions, the growing importance of sovereign AI capabilities, and the need for open-source collaboration over technological monopolies. Speakers also emphasized joint R&D, investment partnerships, and an expanded international coalition to build a resilient and globally competitive AI ecosystem.
Deep Tech Without Borders Sessions Focus on Cross-Border Innovation Ecosystems
This was followed by sessions on “India and Europe: Deep Tech Without Borders” and “Global Deep-Tech Capital Corridors,” focusing on cross-border innovation ecosystems, venture financing, commercialization pathways, and global market access for emerging technologies. These sessions addressed practical challenges that deep-tech startups face when scaling internationally, including regulatory compliance, intellectual property protection, and cultural adaptation.
Venture capital representatives outlined investment strategies for deep-tech companies, emphasizing the importance of patient capital, technical expertise, and long-term commitment. Industry leaders also shared success stories of Indian companies that achieved global market penetration through strategic partnerships with European corporations.
Day One Sets Stage for Deeper Global Innovation Engagement
With high-level participation, strategic dialogues, and new avenues for collaboration unveiled, Day One of Bharat Innovates 2026 set the stage for deeper global engagement across the innovation ecosystem. The event successfully demonstrated that India and Europe share complementary strengths in deep-tech innovation, with India offering cost-effective development capabilities and Europe providing access to mature markets and regulatory frameworks.
Bharat Innovates 2026 concluded as a landmark event that forged tangible partnerships, established collaboration frameworks, and created momentum for sustained India-Europe deep-tech cooperation. The 30+ partnerships signed during the event represent commitments worth billions of dollars in potential investment and market value, positioning both nations as leaders in the global deep-tech economy.
Bharat Innovates 2026’s successful conclusion in Nice also establishes a transformative foundation for India-Europe deep-tech partnerships, demonstrating how government initiatives, academic institutions, and private sector stakeholders can collaborate to advance innovation, create economic value, and address global challenges through technology.
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