IIT Bombay hosts Bharat Innovates pre-summit; 137 deep-tech startups showcase ideas

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay on Saturday, March 21, 2026 hosted the Bharat Innovates Deep-Tech Pre-Summit, bringing together startups, investors, policymakers and academic leaders to spotlight India’s growing deep-tech ecosystem. The event is being held at the institute’s ASPIRE Research Park in Mumbai.

The summit was inaugurated by Ajay Kumar Sood, alongside senior officials from key government departments and IIT leadership. The gathering aims to create stronger links between research institutions, industry and startups working on advanced technologies.

This pre-summit is a build-up to Bharat Innovates 2026, an international showcase scheduled in France later this year as part of the India-France Year of Innovation announced by Narendra Modi. The idea is to present some of India’s most promising tech innovations to a global audience.

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Deep-tech startups take centre stage at IIT Bombay event

According to IIT Bombay Director Prof. Shireesh Kedare, the response to the initiative has been overwhelming, with over 3,000 applications received from across the country. From these, 137 startups have been selected to present their work at the event.

In his address, Ajay Kumar Sood underlined the growing importance of deep-tech in shaping India’s future and competing globally. He pointed to the need for closer collaboration between academia, government and startups to turn research into real-world solutions.

Other speakers, including senior officials from the education and science departments, echoed similar views, stressing that innovation-driven learning and stronger industry-academia partnerships will be key going forward.

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Startup pitches and investor interactions drive Day 1 discussions

The first day saw a series of startup showcases, pitch sessions and investor interactions. More than 70 startups presented their ideas, while investors shared insights on priority sectors and emerging challenges through reverse pitch sessions.

Participants also toured the exhibition area, where startups and institutional teams displayed their innovations. The event will continue on Sunday with more pitching rounds, discussions and an awards ceremony to recognise standout ideas.