Biotech projects incubated in India’s first DIY Bio Lab and Bioincubator at BioRiiDL showcase their projects to compete for funding

An incubation cell for biotechnology start-ups BioRiiDL and a DIY bio lab has been launched by Somaiya Vidyavihar. It aims to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship in various aspects of biotechnology.

To encourage and support this initiative Bio RiiDL has set up DIY BIO LAB, which is a space where biologists can come, execute their ideas and innovate, even after completion of their studies, they can come and work on their own projects and a bioincubator where potential projects can be taken into the market.

The BioRiiDL will facilitate 100 students in the first year.

This is the first DIY Bio lab in India where students will have access to mentoring from Scientists and Experts, access to investors via RiiDL, a chance to become a part of global discussion biologist group.

Applications for the bio-incubator are accepted year round. A screening committee evaluates the applications on several criteria—technical merit, proof of expertise, economic viability, funding and compatibility with the incubator. Selected start-ups are provided lab and office space, high-end equipment, scale-up facilities, technical support and centralised utilities for process development to help the innovators mature their ideas and attain commercialization.

The first Bio-entrepreneurship Incubation Program by BioRiiDL announced in May 2017, received 33 applications from across India including Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bhopal and Mumbai.

Five shortlisted start-ups were given 7 minutes each to present their ideas to a panel of biotech experts and investors to win funding and further access to the BioRiiDL Labs. After their pitch, the start-ups had to answer questions raised by the biotech experts and investors present.