The Bharat Innovates Deep-Tech Pre-Summit kicked off at IIT Bombay, showcasing 137 of India’s most promising deep-tech startups from over 3,000 applications. Inaugurated by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, the two-day event brings together startups, investors, policymakers, and academia to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem ahead of the international “Bharat Innovates 2026” showcase in France.

Mumbai: The Bharat Innovates Deep-Tech Pre-Summit, a national platform highlighting India’s emerging deep-technology startups, was inaugurated at the ASPIRE–IIT Bombay Research Park Foundation on Saturday by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, in the presence of senior government officials, academic leaders and industry stakeholders, as Day 1 of the event concluded.

Among the dignitaries present were Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education; Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology; Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, Chairperson, Board of Governors, IIT Bombay; and Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay.

Welcoming participants, Prof. Kedare said, “More than 3,000 startup applications were received from across the country, out of which 137 of India’s most promising deep-tech startups have been selected to showcase their innovations here.”

The two-day summit brought together startups, investors, policymakers and representatives from IITs and IISc to strengthen India’s deep-tech ecosystem. It served as a precursor to “Bharat Innovates 2026,” an international showcase scheduled in France later this year.