Bharat Innovates 2026: India pitches deep-tech startups at Paris roadshow
Synopsis
India took its deep-tech startup pitch to Paris, previewing Bharat Innovates 2026 — a Modi-backed initiative that will bring 120 Indian deep-tech startups to Nice in June across 13 frontier sectors. The Paris roadshow, drawing 50-plus French business and innovation leaders, is the opening move in what could become a landmark India-France technology partnership.
Key Takeaways
Bharat Innovates 2026 was pitched at a Paris roadshow on 6 May 2025 , attended by more than 50 French business and innovation stakeholders.
The conclave is scheduled for 14–16 June 2025 at the Palais des Expositions in Nice, France .
The programme will take India's top 120 deep-tech startups to France across 13 frontier technology sectors , including semiconductors, space, defence, and Industry 4.0.
PM Narendra Modi announced the initiative on 17 February during the inauguration of the India-France Year of Innovation .
Key French participants included La French Tech , VivaTech , ESCP Business School , INRIA , and the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce .
India's deep-tech startup programme Bharat Innovates 2026 was formally pitched to global investors and innovation stakeholders at a roadshow in Paris on 6 May 2025, building momentum ahead of the flagship conclave scheduled for Nice, France, from 14–16 June 2025. The outreach event brought together representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Embassy of India in Paris, and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), along with more than 50 participants from the French business and innovation ecosystem.
What the Paris Roadshow Showcased
The event served as a platform to brief potential investors and partners on the scope, objectives, and investment opportunities associated with Bharat Innovates 2026. India's deep-tech startup ecosystem and higher education-led innovation landscape were presented to global investors, corporates, universities, and research institutions.
French organisations including La French Tech, VivaTech, ESCP Business School, ESSEC, INRIA, and members of the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce, alongside venture capital, advisory, legal, and startup networks, were among the key participants.
What Government Officials Said
K.M. Praphullachandra Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education, highlighted the significance of the initiative in strengthening international collaboration, particularly under the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership. Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education, made a presentation outlining opportunities for French and global investors to engage with India's rapidly expanding innovation ecosystem.
13 Frontier Technology Sectors in Focus
Officials highlighted that Bharat Innovates 2026 will focus on 13 frontier technology sectors, including advanced computing, semiconductors, next-generation communications, advanced materials and critical minerals, biotechnology, space and defence, and manufacturing under Industry 4.0. The maiden edition will take India's top 120 deep-tech startups to France to catalyse pilots, co-development, investments, research partnerships, manufacturing tie-ups, and market access.
Background and Prime Ministerial Push
The initiative was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17 February during the inauguration of the India-France Year of Innovation, held in the presence of the French President. This comes amid a broader Indian push to internationalise its deep-tech startup pipeline, with France serving as the first major bilateral launchpad. The Nice conclave at the Palais des Expositions is expected to be the centrepiece of that effort.
What to Watch
With the conclave just weeks away, the Paris roadshow signals India's intent to secure concrete commitments — pilots, co-investments, and research partnerships — rather than symbolic optics. The outcomes from Nice in June will be closely watched as a test of whether India's deep-tech diplomacy can translate into durable bilateral innovation flows.
Point of View
New Delhi is signalling that deep-tech is now a foreign policy asset. The real question is whether the 120 startups heading to Nice will return with binding commitments or just networking cards. Past bilateral innovation forums have generated goodwill without proportionate capital flows. For this to be different, India needs measurable outcomes — co-development agreements, pilot contracts, and verifiable investment term sheets — not just stage presence at VivaTech.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bharat Innovates 2026?
Bharat Innovates 2026 is an Indian government initiative, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17 February, that will bring India's top 120 deep-tech startups to France to pursue pilots, co-development, investments, and market access across 13 frontier technology sectors. The main conclave is scheduled for 14–16 June 2025 at the Palais des Expositions in Nice.
What was the purpose of the Paris roadshow on 6 May?
The Paris roadshow was held to brief French and global investors, corporates, universities, and research institutions on the scope and investment opportunities of Bharat Innovates 2026. It drew more than 50 participants from the French business and innovation ecosystem, including La French Tech, VivaTech, and INRIA.
Which technology sectors does Bharat Innovates 2026 cover?
The programme focuses on 13 frontier technology sectors, including advanced computing, semiconductors, next-generation communications, advanced materials and critical minerals, biotechnology, space and defence, and manufacturing under Industry 4.0.
How does Bharat Innovates 2026 connect to the India-France relationship?
The initiative was announced during the inauguration of the India-France Year of Innovation, held in the presence of the French President, and sits within the broader India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership. It represents one of the most structured bilateral deep-tech engagements between the two countries.
When and where will Bharat Innovates 2026 be held?
The conclave will be held from 14 to 16 June 2025 at the Palais des Expositions in Nice, France. It is the maiden edition of the initiative.
