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 a nation of 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. 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. These documents provide sector-wise market intelligence, technology trends, global opportunity mapping and strategic engagement pathways to help startups identify future growth opportunities.
The initiative has generated significant investor interest with nearly USD 20 million in near-closure and finalized commitments. Bharat Innovates is creating opportunities for Indian startups to engage 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 cohort of startups holds over 1,500 patents and has collectively raised more than US$1.5 billion, and includes two listed firms, ideaForge and Ather Energy. The event features innovation across critical sectors like space, defence, biotechnology, and quantum computing.
The initiative is creating 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. In this context, 28 innovation-focused MoUs have been identified to be signed with French and other international partners. A series of roadshows in Paris, Tokyo and Bengaluru have been undertaken to connect Indian startups with global investors and strengthen international engagement.