BIRAC and Centre of Entrepreneurial Learning (CfEL) of Judge Business School, University of Cambridge have initiated a partnership that would enable five BIRAC supported applicants to take part in CfEL's flagship intensive entrepreneurial boot-camp programme called "IGNITE". It is aimed at providing entrepreneurial opportunities to explore their innovative ideas and transform them into a business project.

The first batch of five BIRAC supported IGNITE candidates went to Cambridge in July 2013. The five candidates have shared their learning experience with the agency.

Among the participants, Neeraj Jasmathiya Medical Device Innovator and Industrial Designer, Stanford India Biodesign mentioned that the programme was very beneficial for him. "The ecosystem around Cambridge was phenomenal and unique both in terms of experience and learning. I wish if such fellowship was for longer duration, however 15 days were cleverly structured so that every bit of it can be fruitful for the fellows arrived from different parts of the world. I feel there is requirement of organising more of such fellowships to develop visionary entrepreneurs in India," elaborates Neeraj.

Sharing his experiences, Sahil Kapoor Director - Global Business Operations Novo Informatics, "IGNITE has been most beneficial program for our company. It enabled us to enter scientific and entrepreneur community which gave us new insight of market. One of best experiences were interaction with Investors, Companies to understand what they are looking for? What kind of business models are used? And how companies grew as per fluctuations in global market? I sincerely thank BIRAC for giving me opportunity to experience IGNITE program."

Dr Radha Rangarajan Founder and CEO Vitas Pharma said that the IGNITE experience was truly an inspiring one for him. "The course was a mix of formal lectures and discussions in small groups, a format that was ideally suited for learning about the larger themes of running a company as well as addressing the specific needs of the participants. The course was run by business practitioners, who brought their experience to the classroom and took us through topics such as business models, accounting, financial forecasts etc"

"It was a unique privilege to see so many successful Biotechnology Entrepreneurs coming together to help nurture entrepreneurial spirit and provide valuable insights to the beginners. I was able to receive an all-round understanding of the process of evolving a "Technology Enterprise" during this week," shared Vishwas D. Joshi, Founder and CEO, Seagull BioSolutions.

The final participant, Tuhin Bhowmick Chairman, Pandorum Technologies while sharing his experiences said that the program-aspects which he had found to be particularly beneficial were the group-clinics, regular meetings with the assigned mentor, lecture on the art of negotiation, the pitching sessions and the feedbacks. "Further, following the IGNITE week, the BIRAC-IGNITE fellows had an extended week of pre-decided and self-arranged company visits. The series of interaction with companies located at Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge Research Park and Babraham Incubation Centre were extremely useful in highlighting the need of a strong symbiosis between the academia and industry, for bringing innovations from the 'bench to bedside'," he concluded.