The National Bio Entrepreneurship Competition which is a national platform to attract, identify and nurture bio-entrepreneurs with path-breaking ideas for societal impact has been launched by . Y. S. Chowdary, Minister of State, Science and Technology.

With an objective of encouraging the spirit of bio-entrepreneurship, facilitating the creation of life science start-ups and mentoring start-ups to increase their chances of success, Biotechnology Industrial Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) in partnership with C-CAMP has set up the BIRAC Regional Entrepreneurship Centre (BREC) in C-CAMP.

Prof. Vijay Raghavan, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Dr.RenuSwarup, Senior Advisor, DBT, and Managing Director, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) were also present in the event.

In his address, Y. S. Chowdary said, “I am happy that BIRAC and C-CAMP have initiated this very important mission. The National Bio Entrepreneurship Competition will bring to the forefront biotech ideas from all across our country that can potentially address the healthcare, agriculture, food, nutrition and environmental challenges we face. I look forward to see this being an annual celebration of bio-entrepreneurship.” 

Speaking at the event, Prof.Vijay Raghavan said, “I am thrilled to be at the launch of the National Bio Entrepreneurship Competition by BIRAC and C-CAMP. India’s biotech entrepreneurship can go into exponential growth if further bold support and policies to engines of innovation like this are put in place. This is happening. It is vital to set goals to be achieved by 2022 and work towards them. Initiatives which are anchored with Government support and private partnership will flourish and I am delighted that C-CAMP has been able to bring in both these for the National Bio Entrepreneurship Competition.”

Dr. Renu Swarup said on the occasion, “We are delighted that BIRAC Regional Entrepreneurship Centre- BREC at C-CAMP has launched the National Bio Entrepreneurship Competition. This will usher a multiplier effect on the biotech innovation ecosystem and encourage biotech start-ups to move to the next level. We thank all the partners who are contributing to this award.”

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Satya Prakash Dash, Head SPED, BIRAC said, “The National Bio Entrepreneurship Competition has come at an optimal time when we are in midst of a transformational change in the Indian biotech start-up culture. This award will propel and quicken the transformation.”

Dr. Taslimarif Saiyed, CEO and Director C-CAMP, said, “We are delighted that the Hon’ble Minister launched this event today in the presence of DBT secretary and Dr.Swarup. We are excited to attract and work with the best entrepreneurial talent across the country towards addressing societal challenges. We are extremely thankful to DBT and BIRAC for their continued support.”

Selected participants will be attending a 3-day residential Entrepreneurship Development boot camp at C-CAMP, Bengaluru, which will train them to formulate, develop and commercialize their ideas. The entrepreneurs with the best ideas stand to win investment opportunity up to USD $100,000, grand cash prize of INR 10 lakhs for different category winners, business acceleration, mentoring, and access to seed funding.