iCreate, India's leading deep tech startup incubator, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hauts-de-France Regional Council to establish the India–Hauts-de-France Bilateral Corridor for Deep Tech Innovation. This initiative creates a direct pathway for startup collaboration, market access, pilot deployments, and technology commercialisation between India and the Hauts-de-France region.
Announcement at Bharat Innovates 2026
The partnership was announced in Nice at Bharat Innovates 2026, the Government of India's flagship innovation initiative, jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron on June 14, 2026. The MoU forms part of a broader set of India–France institutional agreements concluded at the summit.
Focus Sectors and Objectives
Focused on sectors such as HealthTech, ClimateTech, AgriTech, FoodTech, e-Mobility, Aerospace and Defence, and Physical AI and Deep Tech Systems, the corridor will enable startups from both regions to access new markets, industry partnerships, research collaborations, and pilot opportunities. The initiative aims to accelerate innovation adoption, strengthen supply-chain resilience, and unlock co-funded investment opportunities across strategic sectors.
Over the next 18 months, the partnership aims to support more than 12 startups in pursuing cross-border expansion, facilitate at least three joint pilot deployments across Indian and European markets, and launch the first bilateral startup cohort comprising innovators from both ecosystems.
Implementation Structure
A key differentiator of the corridor is its implementation-led structure. While iCreate and the Hauts-de-France Regional Council are the principal partners, execution will be supported by EuraTechnologies, one of Europe's leading startup and innovation hubs, and Nord France Invest, the region's investment promotion agency. A Joint Steering Committee comprising representatives from both sides will oversee implementation and drive measurable outcomes.
Quotes from Leaders
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Avinash Punekar, CEO of iCreate, said, “As India and France deepen their collaboration in technology and innovation, there is a unique opportunity to connect talent, research, and entrepreneurship across borders. This corridor is more than a partnership; it is a platform to help deep tech startups access global markets, forge meaningful industry collaborations, and accelerate the journey from innovation to impact. We believe it will empower entrepreneurs from both ecosystems to solve global challenges and build globally competitive ventures.”
François Decoster, Regional Vice-President of Hauts-de-France, said, “Hauts-de-France has built a strong ecosystem for deep tech innovation, backed by world-class research, industrial capabilities, and investment networks. Through this partnership with iCreate, we are creating new opportunities for startups from both regions to collaborate, scale internationally, and accelerate the commercialisation of cutting-edge technologies. We believe this corridor can serve as a model for future innovation partnerships between France and India.”
Synergy of Strengths
The partnership combines Hauts-de-France's strengths in research, industry, investment, and European market access with iCreate's deep tech ecosystem and India’s manufacturing prowess, creating a powerful platform for startups to innovate, collaborate, and scale across global markets.
iCreate's Track Record
The initiative builds on iCreate's proven track record of supporting deep tech startups across mobility, energy, healthcare, aerospace, defence, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing. Notable startups supported by iCreate include ChargeZone, Clean Electric, Integra Robotics, Vijigi, Naxatra Labs, BioScan, Biokraft, and Zero Drag. Additionally, through partnership-led initiatives, iCreate has enabled high-potential ventures such as Carbonstrong Technologies, Green Aero Propulsion, and Urjanovac, recognised under the AVAANA–Startup India–NITI Aayog AIM Grand Challenge for Frontier Tech Innovation. These ventures reflect the quality, diversity, and global potential of India's deep tech ecosystem.
First Bilateral Deep Tech Partnership
The India–Hauts-de-France corridor is the first bilateral deep tech partnership between an Indian incubator and a French region. The collaboration is expected to serve as a scalable model for future India-Europe innovation partnerships, enabling startups, researchers, investors, and industry leaders to collaborate across borders and accelerate the global growth of emerging technologies.
