Mahindra University partners with French schools to support sustainable start-ups

Mahindra University and France's Groupe des Écoles Centrale have launched the MU × GEC Innovation Challenge under the India–France Year of Innovation 2026. The initiative will support early-stage start-ups through mentorship, exchanges, innovation programmes and international market exposure.

Hyderabad: Mahindra University (MU) and Groupe des Écoles Centrale (GEC), France, have announced the launch of the MU × GEC Innovation Challenge, an initiative under the India–France Year of Innovation 2026.

Designed to strengthen entrepreneurial collaboration between the two countries, the Challenge will provide a platform for promising start-ups to address opportunities in sustainable development and energy transition while gaining exposure to international innovation ecosystems.

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The partnership encompasses mentor, faculty and incubation team exchanges, student and start-up mobility programmes, co-hosted hackathons, bootcamps, accelerators, ideation challenges and innovation showcase.

Mahindra University Chancellor Anand Mahindra said universities must create environments where curiosity is encouraged, research is valued and innovation serves a larger purpose.

The MU × GEC Innovation Challenge has invited early-stage start-ups from India and France to develop solutions that contribute to a more sustainable future.

Participants will benefit from a structured programme featuring expert mentorship, engagement with innovation leaders, immersion opportunities at partner institutions and pathways for market exploration in the counterpart country.