BEST 2016, the Biotech Student Entrepreneurship facilitation program for 2016 has been announced. This unique program encourages Biotech students to submit business ideas to explore the possibility of pursuing the spirit of discovery, development, and entrepreneurship.

"The objective of the program is to create entrepreneurial mind-set, raising an individual's motivation and capacity, independently to identify an opportunity as well as to pursue it in order to produce new value or economic success," said Dr Shailja Gupta, Scientist F, Department of Biotechnology (DBT).

Students need to form a 5-member team and register their concept notes before 15th September 2016. (http://www.ableindia.in/best2016/registration-form/). A Panel of experts will screen the applications and shortlist 20 teams. These 20 teams will then be called to attend a fully-paid high quality Entrepreneurship Workshop in New Delhi on December 7-11, 2016.

This business ideas workshop-cum-contest will familiarize the contestants on matters related to starting a business venture like Business Plans, IP & Patenting Strategies, Raising Finance, Business Strategies, HR Practices and Communication Skills. At the end of the Workshop, each team will develop a business plan based on their Concept and learning from the Workshop and make a ten minute power point presentation to the Jury. The Jury will evaluate and critique each of the business plans and identify 5 winning teams. The winning team with the best business plan will receive Rs 5 Lakh as first prize. There will be two second prizes Rs 3 Lakh each and two third prizes of Rs 2 Lakh each.

Launched in 2009 by ABLE (the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises), with the support of Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India the, Biotechnology Entrepreneurship Student's Team (BEST) is a unique scheme to promote entrepreneurship.

The program since its inception has been the feed for the emerging biotech industry with technically skilled resources. The uniqueness of the program lies in the very concept, wherein the targeted community is the ever inquisitive and enthusiastic students. Also, the modus operandi and execution of the program where there is a thorough induction and training exercise for multiple days, and thereby giving shape and direction to the raw ideas which students bring with themselves. A program which guarantees the nation a skilled and quality entrepreneurial future.

"The biotech start-up boom is on and the enthusiasm is there for everyone to see. And BEST has become the platform for success of this culture," noted Dr Renu Swarup, Advisor, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology Government of India and Managing Director Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) at a recent meeting on Biotech Innovation in Bangalore.

This much awaited forum is for young B.E/ B. Tech, postgraduate and doctoral students in life sciences to realize their entrepreneurial dreams. The objective of the program is to create entrepreneurial mind-set, raising an individual's motivation and capacity, independently to identify an opportunity as well as to pursue it in order to produce new value or economic success. This student oriented program BEST for this year 2016 is in its eighth edition, and the last date for submission of applications is 15 September 2016.

The theme for applications invited this year should necessarily focus on

• Water contamination
• Food borne Pathogens
• Waste management
• Bioengineering - Diagnostics & Solutions for Important diseases (Human, Crops, Livestock) including Devices, Kits, Chip-based tools etc.
• Water management (Drinking & Irrigation)

The complete details of the contest and program are available at http://www.ableindia.in/best2016/. The teams can also approach either the chief operating officer of ABLE, Mr Narayanan Suresh (coo@ableindia.org.in ) or the program manager of BEST, Ms Sonali Ghosh (sonalig@ableindia.org.in).

BEST so far: Since the inception of the program in 2009, nearly 820 student teams have participated in the BEST program. Further and estimated 3,513 students and research scholars have benefited from this exercise. The seven editions have seen participation from 55 universities, research institutes and colleges across India and nearly 557 young minds have been trained so far. Further, nearly 15 of the BEST winners from the past seven editions have gone on to create start-ups.