NewKerala.com

Dharmendra Pradhan to Lead Deep-Tech Startup Summit at IIT Bombay

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will lead the Bharat Innovates deep-tech pre-summit at IIT Bombay, featuring over 200 startup founders and investors. The event will showcase 137 selected startups from more than 3,000 applications across critical technology domains. The initiative, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to connect India's academic innovation ecosystem with global stakeholders. The pre-summit is a key milestone leading to an international showcase in Nice, France in June 2026.

Key Points: Deep-Tech Pre-Summit at IIT Bombay Led by Dharmendra Pradhan

  • 137 startups from 3000+ applications
  • Event part of Bharat Innovates initiative
  • Focus on 13 critical tech domains
  • Connects academia with global investors
  • Roadmap includes showcase in France
2 min read

Dharmendra Pradhan to lead deep-tech pre-summit beginning at IIT Bombay tomorrow

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan leads the Bharat Innovates deep-tech pre-summit at IIT Bombay, featuring 137 startups and key government figures.

"building enduring bridges between India's higher education innovation ecosystem and global stakeholders - Official Statement"

Mumbai, March 20

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will lead discussions among 200-plus startup founders and investors at Bharat Innovates deep-tech pre-summit beginning at IIT Bombay on Saturday, an official said.

The two-day event to showcase startups, investor interactions, and industry networking will feature around 137 promising deep-tech startups selected from more than 3,000 applications received from across the country, said an official statement.

The Bharat Innovates initiative was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the inauguration of the India-France Year of Innovation.

A flagship programme of the Ministry of Education, it operates under the strategic guidance of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

The programme is conceived as a global accelerator for Indian deep-tech, building enduring bridges between India's higher education innovation ecosystem (startups, labs, and research parks) and global stakeholders, including corporates, investors, incubators, universities, and governments.

The inaugural session will be attended by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and Chairperson of the Prime Minister's Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC). The event will also see the participation of senior government officials, academicians and entrepreneurs

Bharat Innovates 2026 unfolds across three milestones: National Basecamp: Gandhinagar and Mumbai (December 2025 and January 2026); Bharat Innovates Deep-Tech Pre-Summit: IIT Bombay, Mumbai (March 21-22, 2026) and International Innovation Showcase: Nice, France (June 14-16, 2026).

The Pre-Summit will bring together 200-plus startup founders; 70-plus investors and venture capital leaders; 50-plus industry leaders, corporate partners, senior government stakeholders and innovation missions.

The Bharat Innovates Deep-Tech Pre-Summit will showcase innovations across 13 critical technology domains, including Advanced Computing, Healthcare and MedTech, Space and Defence, Energy & Sustainability, Semiconductors, Biotechnology, Smart Cities and Mobility, Blue Economy, Next-Gen Communications, Agri and Food Technologies, Advanced Materials, Manufacturing & Industry 4.0, and Disaster Management.

These innovations, nurtured within India's premier institutions such as IITs, IISc, and leading research ecosystems, represent the next generation of globally competitive technologies emerging from India's academic backbone, said the statement.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone working in the startup space, the selection of 137 from 3000+ applications shows intense competition. The domains listed, especially Agri-tech and MedTech, are crucial for India's future. Hope the investor interactions are fruitful.
V
Vikram M
Good initiative, but I hope this isn't just another talk shop. We've seen many summits. The key is sustained policy support and easier regulations for deep-tech startups after the event. The France showcase is a great opportunity for global visibility.
P
Priya S
Including Disaster Management as a domain is very thoughtful, given our vulnerability to climate events. Proud to see our IITs and IISc at the forefront. Jai Vigyan! 🙏
R
Rohit P
The international leg in France is smart diplomacy. Building bridges with global stakeholders is essential. Hope our startups get the mentorship they need, not just funding. The quality of guidance matters as much as capital.
K
Karthik V
A respectful suggestion: while IITs are excellent, I hope future editions also actively scout talent and innovations from state universities and newer institutions. India's potential is distributed across the entire country.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50