European consuls from Switzerland, Netherlands, and Denmark pitched deeptech partnerships with India. Their core argument: European nations seek Indian capability and co-development, moving past pure outsourcing. The EU's digital identity wallet, built on Indian tech, exemplifies this new collaboration model.
How We Got Here
TechSparks 2026 in Bengaluru hosted a panel of European consuls discussing 'New tech alliances' on October 15. The discussion centered on balancing strategic sovereignty with international collaboration for critical infrastructure and AI models.
The Numbers
- The panel included Dr Angela Honegger (CEO & CG, Swissnex India), Jacobus Johannes 'Jaap' Veerman (CG, Netherlands), and Peter Winther-Schmidt (CG, Denmark).
- Denmark's Winther-Schmidt highlighted the EU's digital identity wallet, built using Indian tech stack and support.
- Swissnex India runs a startup program where 10 startups from each country visit the other to explore opportunities.
- Swissnex CEO Honegger encourages Indian deeptech founders to locate R&D operations in Switzerland while keeping HQ and manufacturing in India.
- Bengaluru-based robotics startup CynLr has already established a subsidiary in Switzerland, leveraging these programs.
What Happens Next
🇮🇳 Why This Matters for India
For deeptech founders in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune focused on AI, robotics, or advanced materials, these European pitches offer access to niche R&D funds and markets.
The Take
European nations are now looking for Indian IP and co-development partners, not just coding capacity. This redefines India's tech role from a pure outsourcing hub to a co-creation centre for advanced technologies.
Source:
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