By CIO Insider Team
Innovation

The BRICS Bharat Innovates (BBI) Exposition showcased 37 Indian deep-tech startups and ventures at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on September 11-12, alongside the 18th BRICS Summit held under India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship. The exposition emphasized technology innovations, research, investments and opportunities in the international market for Indian deep-tech startups in the BRICS countries.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Education along with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and gathered together Indian innovators, CEOs, investors, business leaders, industry representatives and senior delegates from the member countries of the BRICS group. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister for Education Pralhad Joshi and BRICS leaders were to attend the exposition, which would enhance the visibility of participating startups among the technology and investment stakeholders from around the world.

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37 startups from an initial pool of 120 startups and ventures from all over the world participated at the exposition Bharat Innovates held in June 2026 in Nice, France, and have been selected to present in New Delhi. The New Delhi edition underscored the significance of indigenous technologies and provided a platform for technology partnerships, funding, business relations, and global market opportunities.

The exposition was organized in the context of the theme of India's BRICS Chairship – “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability” and in support of the priority of the BRICS Education Track – “Enhancing Research, Innovation and Start-up Ecosystems.” The platform was co-located with the BRICS Business Forum on 11th September, and enabled B2B interaction between the innovative start-ups from India and global investors, corporates and technology leaders.

Key Highlights

• 37 Indian deep-tech startups showcased home-grown technologies in Delhi
• B2B meetings targeted investment, partnerships and international market access
• BRICS platform connected Indian innovators with global technology leaders

Matchmaking for participating startups was facilitated in coordination with FICCI, CII and ASSOCHAM. The engagements provided opportunities for investment discussions, technology partnerships, business linkages and expansion of Indian innovations into international markets.

The Bharat Innovates program, led by the Ministry of Education, aims to connect innovations emerging from India’s higher education ecosystem with global stakeholders. It brings startups, higher education institutions, laboratories and research parks closer to corporations, investors, incubators, universities, research institutions, governments and overseas alumni.

The New Delhi exposition was part of the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, following the first Bharat Innovates event which took place in Nice, France, June 14-16, 2026. The maiden event was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron and was organized by 120 Indian deep-tech startups and ventures in 13 thematic areas including 15 institutions such as IITs, IISc, BIRAC and iDEX.

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Over 2,000 participants from 29 countries participated in the France edition, and over 30 collaboration MoUs and partnerships were signed. There were also 1,350 B2B business meetings where Indian startups and ventures received funding pledges of US$254.5 million.

The BBI Exposition also built on India’s wider engagement under the BRICS Education Track. The 13th BRICS Education Ministers' Meeting took place in Bhubaneswar, Odisha on August 7 and the 3rd BRICS Senior Officials' Meeting on Education was held on August 5 under the Ministry of Education.

The meeting ended by the adoption of the 13th BRICS Education Ministers' Declaration which includes five priority areas including research, innovation, start-up ecosystems, foundational education, skill development and vocational training, mutual recognition of qualification and capacity building in academic leadership and institutional development.