Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan released two strategic documents on Bharat Innovates, highlighting India’s growing innovation and startup ecosystem anchored in higher education and research institutions. The initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 vision to shift India from being a knowledge consumer to a knowledge creator, enabling technology leadership and deep-tech innovation. The event saw participation from senior officials, academicians, and the Atal Innovation Mission, reflecting a concerted effort to connect academia-led innovation with the global marketplace.
Shri Pradhan emphasized that Bharat Innovates is creating structured pathways for Indian innovators to engage with global investors and institutions, supporting an ecosystem where emerging startups can scale and access international capital, expertise, and market opportunities.
Showcasing Startups and Research from Premier Institutions
The two strategic documents released include the Bharat Innovates Startup Compendium, profiling 120 high-potential startups from across India, and a second document highlighting nearly 50 cutting-edge research and innovation projects from leading institutions such as IITs, IISc, and BITS Pilani. These documents provide sector-wise insights, technology trends, and global engagement pathways to help innovators identify growth opportunities and scale their solutions.
Shri Pradhan noted that Indian startups featured in the compendium have collectively raised over US$1.5 billion, hold more than 1,500 patents, and include two listed companies, ideaForge and Ather Energy, showcasing the depth of research-led innovation in India.
Global Engagement and International Collaboration
Bharat Innovates 2026, held in Nice, France, under the India–France Year of Innovation, brings together 120 elite deep-tech innovators to highlight India’s capabilities in sectors such as space, defence, biotechnology, and quantum computing. The event also emphasizes collaborations with global investment firms managing over USD 3 trillion in assets, creating opportunities for Indian startups to engage with international stakeholders.
Principal Scientific Adviser Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood lauded the Ministry of Education’s role in strengthening deep-tech entrepreneurship, emphasizing that India must nurture both companies and a culture of innovation. Through platforms like the Incubator Innovation Bridge and Industry Innovation Bridge, the initiative seeks to connect Indian innovators with leading global corporates and institutions, reinforcing the government’s vision of an innovation-led Viksit Bharat.
