Nice, France: Bharat Innovates 2026 marked a significant milestone for Indian deep-tech innovation as the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and IITM Global concluded the first day of the event in Nice, France, by exchanging seven commercial and two institutional Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs).
The agreements, forged between Indian deep-tech startups and international partners, predominantly from France, are expected to unlock nearly USD 100 million in value creation and further strengthen India’s position as a global hub for deep-tech innovation.
The institutional MOUs, designed to accelerate global market access and investment opportunities, were exchanged in the presence of Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India Ajay Sood.
The partnerships include an agreement between IITM Global and Agna Capital to establish the Bharat Innovates Fund, as well as another collaboration with SouthwestX to support Indian startups in scaling across the German and French markets.
At Bharat Innovates 2026, several startup partnerships were also announced, highlighting the growing international appeal of India’s innovation ecosystem.
Agnikul Cosmos entered collaborations with ICEYE of Finland and Safran of France, while Detect Technologies partnered with TotalEnergies.
TuTr Hyperloop joined hands with thyssenkrupp, iElectron Technologies partnered with ALTEN, and The ePlane Company received a potential investment commitment from the Indian Angel Network.
Alongside these strategic collaborations, IIT Madras showcased advancements across multiple frontier technologies, including Hyperloop, 5G and 6G communications, port automation, lab-grown diamonds, and indigenous artificial intelligence systems.
The demonstrations reflected the institute’s continued focus on translating research into globally relevant technological solutions.
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Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “Bharat Innovates 2026 has proven to be a watershed moment for Indian deep tech. The MOUs exchanged are not just ceremonial – they are commercial, actionable, and backed by serious financial commitments.
The premier higher educational institutions of Bharat have demonstrated that Indian innovation is ready to lead on the world stage.”
The event underscored the increasing commercial potential of Indian deep-tech startups while reinforcing IIT Madras’ role as a catalyst for innovation-driven partnerships.
The nearly USD 100 million in anticipated value creation reflects years of sustained incubation and research efforts that have enabled startups to attract international collaborators and investors through Bharat Innovates 2026.
Prof. Manu Santhanam, Dean (ICSR), IIT Madras, added, “What we witnessed in Nice (France) was the translation of scientific excellence into cross-border economic value.
The nearly USD 100 million in expected value creation is a direct result of years of focused deep-tech incubation at IIT Madras. The partnerships with French and European industry leaders validate our approach.”
Speaking on the event’s broader impact, Thirumalai Madhavnarayan, CEO and Director of IITM Global, said, “The overwhelming response from stakeholders across Europe reaffirmed the growing global recognition of the IIT Madras innovation ecosystem as a trusted partner for building the next generation of globally scalable deep-tech enterprises.”
Beyond the formal exchange of agreements, Bharat Innovates 2026 generated considerable interest among industry leaders, academic institutions, investors, and government representatives from across the European Union.
The engagement signalled significant opportunities for future collaborations with IIT Madras and IITM Global in research, innovation, entrepreneurship, talent development, investment, and international market expansion.
With commercial agreements, institutional partnerships, and technology demonstrations taking centre stage, Bharat Innovates 2026 highlighted the growing global confidence in India’s deep-tech ecosystem and its ability to build impactful cross-border collaborations.
