Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan released two strategic documents under the Bharat Innovates initiative, showcasing India's emerging innovation and startup ecosystem rooted in higher education and research institutions. The initiative reinforces the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to transform India from a nation of knowledge consumers into knowledge creators, innovators, and technology leaders.
The first document is the Bharat Innovates Startup Compendium, which profiles 120 high-potential startups selected from over 3,000 ventures across the country, featuring sector-wise market intelligence, technology trends, global opportunity mapping, and strategic engagement pathways. The second document showcases nearly 50 cutting-edge research and innovation projects from leading higher education and research institutions including IITs, IISc, and other premier institutions.
The initiative has generated significant investor interest with nearly USD 20 million in near-closure and finalized commitments. It connects Indian startups with global investment firms managing over USD 3 trillion in assets and representing more than 12,000 investments worldwide. The event is expected to bring together more than 100 global investors and leading institutions, reflecting growing international confidence in India's deep-tech and innovation ecosystem.
Under the aegis of the India–France Year of Innovation, the Union Ministry of Education is hosting Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice, France from 14–16 June 2026. The event features 15 premier Higher Education Institutions including IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, and IIT Madras, which collectively hold over 1,500 patents and have raised more than US$1.5 billion. The cohort includes two listed firms: ideaForge and Ather Energy.
Twenty-eight innovation-focused MoUs have been identified to be signed with French and other international partners. The initiative creates structured pathways for international engagement through the Incubator Innovation Bridge and the Industry Innovation Bridge, connecting Indian innovators with leading global institutions, corporates, and innovation ecosystems. Roadshows have been conducted in Paris, Tokyo, and Bengaluru to strengthen these international connections.
Principal Scientific Adviser Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood emphasized the Ministry of Education's role in anchoring India's deep-tech startup agenda and accelerating the ecosystem by strengthening the pipeline of research-led startups from academic institutions.