At the 13th Foundation Day celebration of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), in New Delhi on 21 March, 2025, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh unveiled BioSaarthi, a pioneering global mentorship initiative aimed at nurturing biotech startups.
Designed as a six-month cohort, BioSaarthi will facilitate structured mentor-mentee engagements, offering personalised guidance to emerging entrepreneurs in the biotech sector.
Dr Jitendra Singh emphasised that this initiative will strengthen India’s biotech ecosystem by fostering innovation, enhancing industry-academia collaboration, and positioning Indian startups for global success. The initiative would engage overseas experts, particularly from Indian diaspora as international mentors who would volunteer to give back to the society.
A national call for applications for Mentess will begin from 3rd April, at the start of the national event- Startup Mahakumbh, followed by the onboarding of mentors, and announcement of shortlisted startups in May 2025.
The upcoming Global Bio-India event in September 2025 will serve as a touch point for the mentors and mentees.
Dr Manish Diwan, Mission Director- Make in India for biotech sector said, "Under this new initiative, virtual mentoring sessions will be held, customised to the needs of individual startups."
