Bharat Innovates 2026: IIT Ropar Leads Agri & Food Technologies Theme and Strengthens India’s Deep-Tech Innovation Ecosystem Globally

IIT Ropar played a key leadership role at Bharat Innovates 2026, leading the Agri & Food Technologies theme and showcasing India’s growing capabilities in research-driven deep-tech innovation, technology commercialisation, entrepreneurship, and global collaboration.

Conceptualised by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, Bharat Innovates 2026 marked an important milestone in India’s deep-tech journey, bringing together Higher Education Institutions, startups, investors, industry leaders, research organisations, and global innovation partners. The global showcase in Nice, France, provided an international platform for Indian technologies and startups to connect with investors, corporates, and research ecosystems worldwide.

The event was jointly inaugurated by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and French President H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, highlighting the growing India–France partnership built on trust, technology, and a shared vision for the future.

The impact of Bharat Innovates 2026 reflected growing global confidence in India’s innovation ecosystem, with USD 254.5 million in funding commitments, 30+ strategic partnerships and agreements, participation from 2,000+ stakeholders across 29 countries, engagement with 500+ French investors, 1,350+ business meetings, showcasing of 80+ deep-tech startups, 40+ investor follow-up commitments, and collaboration with 50+ French and European universities, incubators, and research institutions.

As the lead institution for the Agri & Food Technologies theme, IIT Ropar, through iHub-AWaDH, a Technology Innovation Hub under NM-ICPS, DST, Government of India, and ANNAM.AI Foundation, the Centre of Excellence for AI in Agriculture supported by the Ministry of Education, showcased advanced deep-tech solutions focused on AI-enabled agriculture, precision farming, biodiversity monitoring, climate intelligence, cyber-physical systems, and sustainable resource management.

The IIT Ropar ecosystem showcased pioneering technologies, including the Biodiversity Sensor and the Cyber Physical System Plug-and-Play Laboratory. The CPS ecosystem enables experiential learning and innovation in embedded systems, IoT, automation, sensing, and cyber-physical technologies, supporting the establishment of 28 laboratories across 12 States and Union Territories and strengthening technology learning capabilities across HEIs.

Beyond agriculture and water technologies, IIT Ropar has built a multidisciplinary deep-tech innovation ecosystem through its incubators. iHub-AWaDH focuses on agriculture, water, AI, climate, and sustainability-driven innovations, while the Technology Business Incubator Foundation, IIT Ropar, supports startups across advanced manufacturing, mobility, healthcare, clean technologies, and emerging technologies.

Startups from the IIT Ropar ecosystem also represented India’s innovation potential on the global stage. Inphlox Water Systems Pvt. Ltd., supported by iHub-AWaDH under the HDFC CSR programme, showcased its ElectroX technology for sustainable water solutions. GudLyf Mobility, supported by IIT Ropar TBIF, presented indigenous Type IV high-pressure composite cylinders for hydrogen and CNG storage applications, highlighting advancements in clean mobility technologies.

A landmark outcome of Bharat Innovates 2026 was the launch of the Industry Innovation Bridge by Hon’ble Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal and Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. Recognising IIT Ropar’s contribution towards innovation and technology translation, IIT Ropar has been entrusted with chairing the Industry Innovation Bridge, which will connect corporates, investors, startups, and HEIs to accelerate technology validation, commercialisation, and global scaling of Indian innovations.

Through its participation in Bharat Innovates 2026, IIT Ropar reaffirmed the role of Higher Education Institutions as engines of innovation, bridging the gap between research and industry. By integrating research, incubation, intellectual property support, industry partnerships, and market linkages, IIT Ropar continues to nurture young innovators and build globally relevant deep-tech solutions.

Bharat Innovates 2026 reflects India’s transition from technology adoption to technology creation, with IIT Ropar contributing significantly towards building a sustainable, scalable, and globally competitive deep-tech ecosystem.