Author – Ritesh Ranjan: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), along with IITM Global, made a significant global innovation push on the opening day of Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice, France. The institute facilitated the exchange of seven commercial Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between Indian deep-tech startups and international partners, along with two institutional MOUs focused on investment, global market access and innovation growth.
Together, these agreements are expected to unlock nearly US$100 million in value creation, marking an important milestone for India’s research-driven startup ecosystem. The development highlights the growing global confidence in Indian deep-tech ventures and the role of IIT Madras as a leading force in converting academic research into commercially viable innovation.
Indian Deep-Tech Startups Gain Global Momentum
The partnerships announced at Bharat Innovates 2026 show how Indian startups are expanding beyond domestic markets and building strong international collaborations. With partners from France, Finland and other global innovation hubs, the MOUs reflect India’s growing ability to deliver advanced technology solutions for global industries.
Some of the major startup collaborations announced include:
- Agnikul Cosmos with ICEYE, Finland, and Safran, France
- Detect Technologies with TotalEnergies
- TuTr Hyperloop with thyssenkrupp
- iElectron Technologies with ALTEN
- A potential investment in The ePlane Company announced by Indian Angel Network
These collaborations cover several high-growth sectors, including space technology, industrial automation, transportation, engineering services and aviation innovation. The partnerships also demonstrate that Indian startups are now being viewed as serious global technology partners.
IIT Madras Strengthens Its Role as a Global Innovation Hub
Speaking about the development, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, described Bharat Innovates 2026 as a watershed moment for Indian deep tech. He emphasized that the MOUs are not merely symbolic, but commercial in nature and supported by financial commitment.
This reflects a larger shift in India’s innovation journey. Deep-tech startups emerging from academic and research ecosystems are increasingly moving from prototypes and laboratories to real-world commercial deployment.
Prof. Manu Santhanam, Dean of Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research at IIT Madras, also highlighted that the expected value creation is the result of years of focused research, incubation and industry engagement at the institute. According to him, the partnerships validate IIT Madras’ model of transforming scientific excellence into cross-border economic value.
Strategic Institutional MOUs to Support Startup Expansion
Apart from the startup-level agreements, IITM Global also signed two major institutional MOUs aimed at strengthening India’s deep-tech ecosystem.
The first agreement is a strategic partnership with Agna Capital to establish the Bharat Innovates Fund. This fund is expected to support promising deep-tech ventures by providing investment opportunities and helping them scale.
The second institutional collaboration is with SouthwestX, which will help Indian startups expand into the German and French markets. This is especially important because global expansion remains one of the biggest challenges for startups. Access to international capital, business networks, customers and market knowledge can significantly improve the chances of commercial success.
Through these partnerships, IIT Madras is creating a stronger pathway for startups to move from innovation to global commercialization.
Advanced Technologies Showcased at Bharat Innovates 2026
At the event, IIT Madras also showcased several advanced technologies that reflect its broad research capabilities. These included:
- Hyperloop transportation
- 5G and 6G communications
- Port automation
- Lab-grown diamond technologies
- Indigenous artificial intelligence systems
The presence of these technologies at an international platform in France sent a strong message about India’s readiness to lead in frontier technology sectors. It also highlighted the important role academic institutions can play in technology transfer, startup development and industrial collaboration.
Growing European Interest in IIT Madras Innovation Ecosystem
According to Mr. Thirumalai Madhavnarayan, CEO and Director of IITM Global, the strong response from European stakeholders shows the rising global recognition of the IIT Madras innovation ecosystem. He noted that IIT Madras is increasingly being seen as a trusted partner for building scalable deep-tech enterprises.
Beyond the signed agreements, Bharat Innovates 2026 also attracted interest from industry leaders, investors, academic institutions and government representatives across the European Union. This could open doors for future partnerships in research, entrepreneurship, talent development and global market expansion.
A Major Step for Indian Deep Tech
For IIT Madras, Bharat Innovates 2026 was more than an international showcase. It was a clear statement that Indian deep tech is ready to compete and collaborate on the world stage.
With seven startup MOUs, two strategic institutional partnerships and nearly US$100 million in expected value creation, IIT Madras has further strengthened India’s position as an emerging global hub for research-led innovation, entrepreneurship and advanced technology development.
FAQs
1. What is Bharat Innovates 2026?
Bharat Innovates 2026 is an international innovation showcase held in Nice, France, where Indian institutions, startups, investors and global partners come together to explore collaborations in technology, entrepreneurship and research-led innovation.
2. What did IIT Madras announce at Bharat Innovates 2026?
IIT Madras and IITM Global announced seven commercial startup MOUs and two institutional MOUs. These agreements are expected to create nearly US$100 million in value and support Indian deep-tech startups in global markets.
3. Which startups were part of the IIT Madras partnerships?
Some of the key startups involved include Agnikul Cosmos, Detect Technologies, TuTr Hyperloop, iElectron Technologies and The ePlane Company.
4. Why are these MOUs important for Indian startups?
The MOUs are important because they connect Indian deep-tech startups with international partners, investors and market access opportunities. This can help startups scale globally and commercialize advanced technologies.
5. What technologies did IIT Madras showcase at the event?
IIT Madras showcased technologies in Hyperloop transportation, 5G and 6G communications, port automation, lab-grown diamonds and indigenous AI systems.