Blogs post

India has officially launched a major national initiative designed to catapult its most promising deep-tech startups from the lab to the global market. The Bharat Innovates 2026 National Basecamp, which commenced on December 18, 2025, at IIT Gandhinagar, is a critical first step in this ambitious programme. The event brings together approximately 400 shortlisted deep-tech startups for a rigorous evaluation and mentoring process, with the ultimate goal of selecting a top-tier delegation to represent India at an international showcase in France in 2026. This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Education under the strategic guidance of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, signals a powerful, coordinated effort to translate India’s formidable R&D capabilities into globally competitive, market-ready solutions.

The era where “AI” alone was a sufficient investment thesis is drawing to a close. Market analysts and venture capitalists are forecasting a pivotal theme shift for 2026, moving from a narrow obsession with generative AI towards a more balanced, diversified portfolio. This evolution favors sectors like cleantech, biotech, robotics, and advanced manufacturing—areas where Indian startups, with their proven cost advantages and deep talent pools, are uniquely positioned to thrive. This isn’t an end to AI’s importance, but a maturation: a move from hype-driven bets to a focus on tangible, real-world impact.

India has made a landmark policy decision that could revolutionize internet access across the subcontinent. On December 19, 2025, Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that the government will not regulate satellite broadband (satcom) pricing. This move of “forbearance” places its trust squarely in market competition, allowing global giants like SpaceX’s Starlink, Bharti Airtel’s OneWeb, and Reliance Jio’s SES venture to set their own tariffs. This is a decisive pivot from India’s traditional approach to telecom regulation, designed to trigger a competitive price war and rapidly accelerate connectivity for millions in underserved rural areas.

The latest Hurun India Rich List 2025 reveals more than just changing fortunes—it marks a significant generational and sectoral shift in India’s wealth creation story. Topping the list of self-made entrepreneurs is Deepinder Goyal, the 42-year-old founder of Eternal (formerly Zomato). His rise symbolizes the coming-of-age of India’s new-age, technology-driven businesses, cementing the dominance of founders who built their companies in the internet era.

In a significant shift for the global tech landscape, Nasdaq leadership has signaled that the path to a successful public offering in 2025 is broadening. While the artificial intelligence (AI) boom of 2024 was a major catalyst, the current market narrative is maturing. Investors are now rewarding profitability, sustainable business models, and diversity across sectors like fintech, healthtech, and consumer tech. This shift creates a robust and more discerning environment, one that is particularly promising for India’s maturing startup ecosystem, which is witnessing its own historic IPO wave. As global confidence returns, exemplified by the US market seeing its most active IPO quarter since 2021, the stage is set for a new generation of companies—grounded in fundamentals rather than just hype—to make their public debut.