Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) recently organised a four-day residential workshop – Biotechnology Entrepreneurship Students Team (BEST) for science graduates to encourage entrepreneurship. The workshop held in Bangalore was funded by Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
Around 160 business proposals were received in the areas of life sciences from renowned universities across India of which 20 proposals were shortlisted by a committee. Dr Shailendra Vyakarnam, Director, Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge coordinated the workshop.
CEOs of several biotech companies participated and advised the group led by Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CMD, Biocon. On the final day, the teams presented their business proposals to a jury chaired by Dr Natesh, Advisor, DBT and Co-Chaired by Dr PM Murali, President, ABLE.
Indian Veterinary Research Institute (Bangalore) finished first while the teams from University of Rajasthan and International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (Delhi) were adjudged second and third respectively. The prize amount will be handed over to the teams during BIOINVEST — an ABLE flagship annual investor meet which will be held in December.
The three winning teams will be provided an opportunity to present their business plans to explore funding opportunities. The first three winners were awarded Rs 5 lakh, Rs 3 lakh and Rs 2 lakh respectively.
EP News Bureau