Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment
Innovation in India- National Bio-Entrepreneurship Competition (NBEC)
India is home to the third-largest congregation of startups, after the US, and China with innovators coming up with bottom-up science-based solutions to challenges
India’s biggest deep science ideas platform that has succeeded in reaching 34 of 36 states/UTs – National Bio-Entrepreneurship Competition (NBEC)
About NBEC
It is a national platform for bio-entrepreneurs to present their innovative business ideas with significant societal impact in the life sciences domain
It is a joint initiative by BIRAC (a research assistance non-profit established by the government’s department of biotechnology) and C-CAMP (Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms, India’s premier life sciences innovation hub)
Ideas are encouraged from all domains of life sciences, including healthcare, agriculture, food, nutraceuticals, environment, water, and animal health.
How does it help innovators?
The framework of NBEC is designed such that competitors are judged solely on the merit of the idea and its societal impact.
If the idea is good, supporting infrastructure is provided through a network of innovation hubs, industry, and mentorship.
A big cohort of participants are invited to competition, which helps to form partnerships with industry leaders, and innovation hubs to operationalise their concepts.
It thus helps idea to be translated into reality and enter the market in a sustainable manner.
The value proposition lies in three broad areas—
A robust framework that democratises innovation access – many NBEC ideators are women, and from tier 2-3 cities/towns of India.
Emphasis on ideas with national societalimpact –
connecting innovators up the idea-to-market value chain.
Some of the successful indigenous technologies which are being provided the support through this platform are:
Biodegradable nano-fibre carriers – That can carry the same active fertiliser dosage in a 5 g pouch as a 5 kg bag today, thereby reducing logistics costs by 1000x and increasing shelf life by 2x. This solution simultaneously revolutionises the agriculture, fertiliser, environmental, and energy sectors
Miniaturised Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) detection kit – A credit card-sized test platform that can detect four major UTI pathogens in 30-60 minutes compared to the 24-48 hours it takes today in a laboratory setup, at affordable prices
Image-based screening solutions for eye diseases to overcome the challenge of unavailability of specialist doctors
Compostable sanitary napkins made from banana fibres
Therefore, carefully structured ideas platforms like NBEC serve as ideal vehicles to effect socio-economic impact at scale across India
Way Forward
It is this idea-first framework that India must implement across other verticals like cybersecurity, energy, defence, urban design, health, and water management to unlock greater innovation-led entrepreneurship.
With deep science ideas platforms, India can position itself as a sustainable solutions innovator, and provider.
Connecting the dots!
Atal Innovation Mission
Challenges to Innovation – Inadequate Funding- from both private & Public, Lack of Academia-industry collaboration
