Chennai: Bharat Innovates 2026 will witness the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) showcasing its cutting-edge innovations, deep-tech startups, and strategic research initiatives in Nice, France, from June 14–16, 2026.
Organised by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, the national initiative is designed to identify, mentor, and connect India’s most promising technology ventures emerging from higher education institutions with a global network of investors, policymakers, and industry leaders.
As part of Bharat Innovates 2026, IIT Madras will lead two of the event’s thirteen thematic areas – Blue Economy and Next-Generation Communications.
The institute will also present 15 incubated startups alongside five major research projects covering Hyperloop Technology, lab-grown diamond marking, 5G/6G technologies, Port Automation, and a domain-specific low-compute indigenous AI ecosystem.
Highlighting the opportunities created through international engagement, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “The India–France Year of Innovation 2026 and Bharat Innovates 2026 are expected to open new opportunities for collaboration between IIT Madras and French universities, research labs, startups and industries.
The Institute is excited to take part in the event, which opens up opportunities for joint research in 6G technologies, shared testbeds, standards development, startup partnerships, technology transfer and talent exchange programmes.”
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The participation of IIT Madras in Bharat Innovates 2026 is expected to strengthen collaborations with global academic institutions and industry partners while highlighting India’s advances in frontier technologies and innovation-driven entrepreneurship.
Prof. Manu Santhanam, Dean (Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research), IIT Madras, said, “Through its participation at Bharat Innovates 2026, IIT Madras aims to demonstrate India’s growing leadership in deep-tech innovation, strategic technologies and globally relevant research-driven entrepreneurship.
This platform will provide great exposure for our start-ups and create greater opportunities for university collaborations with leading French institutions.”
The two thematic areas being presented during Bharat Innovates 2026 are being led by Prof. K. Murali, Faculty, Department of Ocean Engineering and Head, National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC), IIT Madras, and Prof. Radhakrishna Ganti, Faculty, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras.
These themes focus on advancing Blue Economy initiatives and Next-Generation Communications technologies, reflecting IIT Madras’ commitment to research excellence and innovation.
Through its participation at Bharat Innovates 2026, the institute will showcase India’s capabilities in deep-tech development while fostering opportunities for research collaboration, startup partnerships, technology transfer, and talent exchange with international stakeholders.
