Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati BioNEST, the Biotechnology business incubator supported by BIRAC, Govt. of India, celebrated its 4th Foundation Day today with a powerful display of technological prowess and a renewed commitment to healthcare innovation in North East India. The event brought together dignitaries from Central and State Governments, VCs/Angels, Startup Founders, Ecosystem Enablers, and academic luminaries to recognize and propel the spirit of innovation in the region.
The event was graced by Chief Guest Dr. Siddharth Singh, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Govt. of Assam, Dept. of Medical Education & Research Department, who emphasised the transformative potential of biotech and healthcare innovation in achieving sustainable development and enhancing healthcare accessibility across North East India.
In his address, Dr. Singh highlighted the synergy between IITG BioNEST and the Assam Advanced Healthcare Innovation (AAHI) Institute, stating, "IIT Guwahati BioNEST has become a beacon of innovation for the North-Eastern region. Its focus on biotech solutions is well-poised to integrate with the Assam Advanced Healthcare Innovation Institute's mission to revolutionize healthcare accessibility and medical technology deployment in rural and underserved areas. This collaboration will be pivotal in transforming healthcare delivery across Assam and beyond."
The North Eastern Council (NEC), a key partner in funding and nurturing these deeptech startups, expressed its commitment to scaling up innovation-driven entrepreneurship in the North East. The Guest of Honour Shri Bamin Tarang, APCS, Director HRD&E, NEC added, "The startups showcased today reflect the ingenuity and resilience of the North Eastern youth. Our collaboration with IITG BioNEST aims to accelerate healthcare and Agritech solutions to market readiness, addressing the unique needs of rural and remote communities of entire North East."
Guest of Honour Dr. Chhaya Chauhan, BIRAC, Govt. of India remarked, "BioNEST is setting an example for incubation centres across North East with its focus on deeptech and sustainable solutions. Its deeptech focus, inclusive approach and commitment to regional transformation align seamlessly with BIRAC’s mission to nurture next-generation biotech enterprises.”
Speaking at the occasion the Guest of Honour Mr. Loken Das, CGM, NABARD highlighted, “IITG BioNEST is playing a catalytic role in unlocking the entrepreneurial potential of North East India. By integrating biotech innovation with grassroots livelihood solutions, it is creating sustainable impact for rural communities. NABARD looks forward to deepening collaborations that drive agri-biotech and rural innovation across the region.”
The Foundation Day event showcased 40 deeptech startups predominantly funded under the NEC-Ignite Program. These startups presented breakthrough innovations addressing critical challenges in biotechnology, sustainable agriculture, health tech and renewable energy.
"The partnership with IITG BioNEST and AAHI is a step towards realising Assam's vision of becoming a biotechnology and healthcare innovation hub," remarked Prof. Dipankar Bandyopdhyay, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, IITG & PI-IITG. He also added that since inception IITG BioNEST has supported over 70 Technology companies and is all set to position few breakthrough healthcare technologies from companies like Symbica, Medinnovations, Avinya Infinity and Human Biogenesis in market.
Speaking at the event Dr. Swapnil Sinha, CEO of IITG BioNEST highlighted the rise of BioNEST as the leading bioincubator in the North East. She said, "In just four years, IIT Guwahati BioNEST has transformed into a leading hub for biotech innovation in North East India, empowering startups to create sustainable solutions that address local and global challenges. Our focus remains steadfast on deeptech innovations, sustainable agriculture and healthcare technologies that can drive regional transformation”.
Additionally, the CEO outlined IITG BioNEST's ambitious vision to establish North East India as a biomanufacturing hub, leveraging its strategic position and robust innovation ecosystem.
"Our mission is to transform North East India into a leading biomanufacturing destination, focusing on sustainable biotech production and cutting-edge research that can serve both domestic and global markets", she added.
The event concluded with a commitment from IIT Guwahati BioNEST to continue its support for technology-driven solutions that address the unique challenges of the North East, with a focused strategy towards integrating healthcare innovations through AAHI, contributing significantly to the larger mission of Viksit Bharat and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.