The Ministry of Education, Government of India, organised a roadshow in Paris on 5 May 2026 to showcase Bharat Innovates 2026 as part of its outreach to global investors. The event served as a precursor to the main conclave, which is scheduled to be held from 14 to 16 June 2026 in Nice, France, with the aim of connecting India’s deep-tech start-ups and higher education innovation ecosystem with global investors, corporates, universities, and research institutions.
Background
The Bharat Innovates initiative was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17 February 2026 during the inauguration of the India–France Year of Innovation, in the presence of the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. Speaking on that occasion, President Macron stated: “The question is no longer if India innovates, but who will innovate with India.”
Bharat Innovates 2026 is an initiative of the Ministry of Education, Government of India, with strategic guidance and input from the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. It has been designed to represent India’s R&D-backed technology innovation capabilities, nurtured at its Higher Education Institutes and Centrally Funded Technical Institutes, on the global stage.
The Paris Roadshow
The Paris roadshow brought together representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Embassy of India in Paris, the Confederation of Indian Industry, and more than 50 representatives from various stakeholders. Participants included representatives from the French business and innovation ecosystem, as well as key educational institutions in France. Senior representatives from organisations including ESCP Business School, ESSEC France, INRIA, École Normale Supérieure, Agence Française de Développement, and the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce also participated.
Shri K. M. Praphullachandra Sharma, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Education, addressed the gathering and highlighted the significance of Bharat Innovates 2026 in strengthening international collaboration, particularly in the context of the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership.
Shri Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Education, made a presentation on Bharat Innovates 2026 and outlined the opportunity for French and global investors to engage with India’s rapidly expanding innovation ecosystem.
The roadshow highlighted that Bharat Innovates 2026 will focus on 13 frontier technology sectors, including Advanced Computing, Semiconductors, Next-Gen Communications, Advanced Materials and Critical Minerals, Biotechnology, Space and Defence, and Manufacturing and Industry 4.0, with the aim of strengthening the bridge between innovators, institutions, investors, and industry.
The investor-focused structure of the conclave was also presented, noting that it is expected to facilitate high-value, time-efficient engagement for global investors through curated one-to-one matchmaking sessions, sector-specific discussions, and start-up showcases. The roadshow concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, enabling participants to engage directly with the Indian delegation and explore potential partnerships in innovation, research, investment, and market access.
